Southgate backs Downing as Roeder pressure increases

BORO boss Gareth Southgate insisted Stewart Downing should not shoulder any blame for recent England disappointments after watching his in-form star inspire victory over Newcastle at the Riverside Stadium.

Downing capped a sizzling performance with the pinpoint 85th-minute corner from which Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu rose highest to head Boro to a hard-fought derby victory.

Southgate said: “Stewart did today what he does week in, week out for us and I think if someone had finished one of his crosses for England the whole perception would be different.