Boro banished by City swagger
But having been starved of entertainment for so long, it is the manner of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s fledgling side’s performances that has got Eastlands buzzing.
It can be argued that only a quarter of the season has passed, but considering Eriksson’s starting line-up contained four new signings in key areas, it can also be said that City could become stronger as they grow together and will be improved further when the transfer window opens. The arrival of a goalkeeper, a central midfielder and a striker could have City supporters realistically planning a Champions League campaign next season.
After the barren days of last season, this was the third successive match in which they have scored three goals and all with just one striker, Emile Mpenza.
City had hardly started with a bang and were given a major helping hand for their opening goal. Michael Johnson’s long-range shot from 25 yards was deflected wide by Jonathan Woodgate and from Martin Petrov’s whipped corner, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was left with no chance from Chris Riggott’s deflection.
The City midfield need little encouragement and that breach was the cue for them to really start firing, with Mpenza having a low effort saved and Dietmar Hamann curling just over.
Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up was without four of his first-choice strikers — Mido, Tuncay, Jeremie Aliadiere and Dong Gook Lee — and the fact that they tried to sign City’s Georgios Samaras before the transfer window closed certainly says something about Boro’s attacking options.
With 20-year-old Tom Craddock making his first start of the Premier League season on his own up front, Middlesbrough were redundant as an attacking force and, with the pacy athleticism of Johnson alongside him, Dietmar Hamann comfortably broke up any passing moves from the visitors before they even got close to fashioning a decent opportunity.
Fabio Rochemback hit the wall with a free-kick and Lee Cattermole had a header well saved by Joe Hart from the Brazilian’s cross, but it was almost as if Boro felt the best way to defend against City’s counter-attack was to simply not bother attacking themselves.
Soon they were two down thanks to another incisive City move of real quality. On the edge of the box, Mpenza found Johnson, who back-heeled to Elano for the Brazilian to find the corner of the net from 25 yards.
Craddock had two opportunities at the start of the second half but made a real mess of both, while Stephen Ireland had a close range shot deflected wide by Riggott.
If the game needed to be any safer for the hosts, it really was over when Elano produced another moment of sheer genius just after the hour. Following Jonathan Woodgate’s needless foul on Mpenza just outside the area, the Brazilian clipped the ball over the wall and just under the crossbar to give goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer no chance.
Ben Hutchinson came off the bench to score on his first senior appearance after Hart had fumbled Tuncay’s effort, but while Southgate admitted it would be the best day of the youngster’s life, it was clearly little consolation for the Middlesbrough manager, whose team have just two wins from their last 10 Premier League matches.
No doubt, they face a battle against relegation; a fight that could make or break Southgate’s fledgling managerial career.
Hart 6, Corluka 7, Richards 7, Dunne 6, Garrido 7, Hamann 8, Johnson 8 (Ball 61, 6), Ireland 7, Elano 9 (Geovanni, 78 6), Petrov 7, Mpenza 7 (Samaras 75, 6).
Schmeichel, Onuoha.
Schwarzer 7, Young 7, Riggott 6, Woodgate 6, Taylor 5, O’Neil 6, Cattermole 5, Rochemback 5, Boateng 5 (Sanli 46, 7), Downing 5; Craddock 5 (Hutchinson 59, 7).
Turnbull, Wheater, Shawky, Hutchinson.
Steve Bennett (Kent):7 The typical quiet match although he was spared having to make any controversial decisions.
*** Another impressive display by City which suggests they could be European contenders this season.
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