KopiHomeNortheast Derby: Middlebrough Drew Newcastle
14.08.2004 <<< Previous Next >>>
It
was a high-octane match that went at breakneck pace. In the 1st half, Jimmy
Floyd Hasselbaink almost scored after 10 seconds if the ball had not deflected
against a Newcastle player. Gaizka Mendieta then was allowed to fire a
stinger in the penalty box straight at Shay Given a few minutes later. Ray
Parlour and George Boateng were like men possessed whose missions were to
shackle any Newcastle player who had the ball. Jermaine Jenas and Olivier
Bernard who had chances to bring the ball forward, were constantly haunted by
the Middlebrough duo patrolling the midfield. Against the run of play in
14th minute, Aaron Hughes' attempted pass to Bellamy should have been
intercepted by Chris Riggott but he totally misjudged the pace of the ball.
Bellamy with a great anticipation, ran to the left of Riggott and received the
pass gleefully. Bellamy then showed good composure to evade Mark Schwarzer's
challenge and hit the ball into an empty net.
New signings Nicky Butt and Stephen Carr were impressive in their debut premiership match with Newcastle. Butt particularly showed his quality and experience as he fitted comfortably at the heart of Newcastle's midfield to break up Middlebrough's attack through the centre. Carr also impressively led Newcastle's makeshift defence line consisted 4 fullbacks Carr, Hughes, Robbie Elliott and Bernard as the squad were depleted due to a number of players suffered from conjunctivitis and other injury problems.
At the start of 2nd half, Steve McClaren brought on fresh legs, replaced Joseph-Desire Job with Szilard Nemeth in search of an equalizer. Middlebrough increased the tempo of the match and Newcastle struggled to keep them at bay. Stewart Downing was brought on in place of Stuart Parnaby after 65 minutes. Downing immediately tormented Newcastle with his willingness to shoot from long distances. At 73rd minute, Downing however scored a close range equalizer from a good Hasselbaink pass after Newcastle's defence faltered.
At 82nd minute, Shola Ameobi was brought down clumsily in the box by Boudewijn Zenden. Alan Shearer scored from the spot to take the lead for Newcastle once again.
Jenas missed a glorious chance to wrap up the match with 2 minutes left. Bellamy beat the offside trap, sped off on the right flank and squared a pass for Patrick Kluivert who replaced Shearer 1 minute earlier. Kluivert slid in and just missed the ball but Jenas stepped up to connect with the ball and unbelievably missed the goal with Schwarzer already beaten.
3 minutes later, Hasselbaink punished Newcastle's poor habit of conceding late goals after Zenden sped off down the left flank unmarked and crossed perfectly for Hasselbaink to make a stooped header into the goal. Hasselbaink though was suspected to bundle the goal with his hand but referee Steve Bennett saw nothing wrong with that goal.
Overall, it was an exciting derby match which both teams sought to claim full points. Bobby Robson might have been disappointed not to get 3 points but only 1. He could however took comfort on the promising performance from his team which could have been better if he had a full squad.
Soaring Magpies
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