McLaren frustrated as Baggies bag point

Middlesbrough 2 West Brom 2

McClaren’s side might be riding high in the UEFA Cup but they have failed to notch up back-to-back wins in the league in a year.

He said: “We have shown we are capable of scoring two or three goals a game but we need to keep clean sheets. That is something we have to address quickly to enable us to be more consistent. You need to limit your mistakes. We are making too many and are getting punished.”

Middlesbrough got off to a flying start with Mark Viduka opening the scoring in the 12th minute. The Australia striker found the corner after his initial effort caught the heel of Albion’s Neil Clement. Viduka made no mistake second time around for his third goal in the top-flight this season and his sixth overall.

The visitors drew level six minutes later when Franck Queudrue was punished for a moment of carelessness. He was guilty of ball-watching and Nathan Ellington took full advantage to rifle a shot home.

And former Boro boss Bryan Robson’s side went ahead in the 57th minute with Kanu showing the kind of skill that made him such a popular figure at Arsenal.

The Nigerian latched onto a good ball from Paul Robinson, went one way then the other, before beating Schwarzer with a precise finish. But their joy only lasted 10 minutes with Aiyegbeni Yakubu pulling Middlesbrough level from the penalty spot.

He coolly sent Tomasz Kuszczak the wrong way to make it 2-2 after Robinson’s clumsy challenge on Nemeth.

McClaren added: “You have to give credit to West Brom. They’ve played very well away from home without getting the results they deserve.

“We created enough chances to have won the game but some days it is not going to happen for you.”

Robson was pleased at his team’s fighting spirit. “The lads did well to keep going and get back in the game. Once we took the lead there weren’t too many problems for us. Then we caused our own downfall. Robinson’s challenge was a bit rash and he didn’t leave the referee with anything else to do but give a penalty.

“Our response was good and in the last 15 minutes we passed them off the park and could have won the game.”

Opta Fact: Middlesbrough have not had two consecutive results of the same kind all season (two wins, two defeats etc)

Opta Fact: West Brom scored more than once in an away game for the first time since winning 4-1 at Charlton last April.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue (Nemeth 45), Parnaby, Morrison (Doriva 79), Boateng, Rochemback, Pogatetz, Yakubu, Viduka (Hasselbaink 79).

WEST BROM: Kuszczak, Watson (Albrechtsen 45), Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Kamara (Carter 62), Wallwork, Inamoto, Greening, Ellington, Kanu.

Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).