Boro’s patchy form after Euro games continues

Wigan 1 Middlesbrough

All had been going to plan for Boro after Yakubu had given them a 14th-minute lead but Camara levelled with 22 minutes left.

The point takes the Latics above Arsenal in the table but, more significantly, their resolve gave them encouragement if they are to avoid relegation.

Boro last season won just once in matches following European ties, with the lost points affecting their chances of a Champions League place - but they initially looked in total control against a Wigan attack lacking any real edge.

Steve McClaren said: “Our performance wasn’t quite at the level it should be. After the first 20 minutes I thought we would control the game. But we said at the start of the week to go for four points and a European win, so they achieved their targets but it could have been more and it could have been better.”

Latics boss Paul Jewell thought his side could have won, although he settled for a point against one of the better teams in the league.

“As well as spirit, I thought we played good football - although we should have made their goalkeeper work harder. Our final pass was perhaps not what it should have been but we didn’t resort to knocking it long. We passed around the midfield and worked hard, I thought it was as good as we’ve played. They’re a top-six side with international players and we pushed them all the way is credit to us.”

Although Mark Schwarzer was forced into an early near-post save from Lee McCulloch, the Latics midfield appeared to struggle against the quality of the visitors.

Fabio Rochemback, in eligible for the midweek win against Xanthi, dictated play with his range of passing while George Boateng formed a defensive cover.

But for all Rochemback’s trickery, the opener was a simple and direct move. Abel Xavier’s free-kick from his own area was headed on by Mark Viduka and lashed home by Yakubu at Mike Pollitt’s near post.

It was Yakubu’s second goal of the season after opening his account against Arsenal, and the striker looked fresh after being rested for Boro’s midweek clash.

Predictably, Wigan pushed forward after the break in search of an equaliser, while Arjan De Zeeuw and Stephane Henchoz held firm in defence.

McCulloch had the ball in the net after 52 minutes, but the midfielder clearly impeded Schwarzer as the goalkeeper claimed Chimbonda’s cross from the right.

They were granted a legitimate equaliser when Camara levelled, latching onto Ugo Ehiogu’s mistake, bundling past Southgate and poking home beyond Schwarzer.

Opta Fact: Henri Camara has scored in both Premiership home games he has played against Middlesbrough.

Opta Fact: Wigan have recovered from 1-0 down to claim Premiership points in their last two games.

WIGAN: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Henchoz, De Zeeuw, Baines, Kavanagh, Bullard, Francis, McCulloch, Connolly (Camara 64), Roberts.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Xavier, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Morrison (Doriva 44), Rochemback, Boateng, Pogatetz, Viduka (Maccarone 61), Yakubu.

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).