Lucky Boro count their blessings

MIDDLESBROUGH are in the draw for last eight of the FA Cup but that is as good as it gets for the Premier League side.

They were fortunate to avoid the fate of so many other top-flight teams in this season’s tournament and be felled by lower-ranked opponents, having been dominated for large periods by an impressive Sheffield United.

Clearly inspired by the arrival of Kevin Blackwell as manager, United bridged the 24-club gap between the two sides’ league positions with a stirring performance and only their finishing let them down.

For long spells Gareth Southgate’s side looked short on ideas and inspiration and Blackwell will know his Premier League opponents were vulnerable and there for the taking. A replay will take place at the Riverside next week with a place in the quarter finals at stake but United could and should have completed the job at the first time of asking.

“We showed a terrific tempo and got at them,” Blackwell said. “We were unlucky with some inventive set-plays but I’m just pleased with the attitude we have shown. A draw was maybe a fair result but we put some pressure on them and left them hanging on at times. I’m delighted to get a clean sheet and still be in the draw for the next round. I really enjoyed it.”

Blackwell wasted little time in signalling his attacking intent, selecting three forwards in his starting line-up with Dublin-born Alan Quinn offering his own threat from midfield for a game the home team felt confident of winning.

With several unfancied teams remaining in the competition, Blackwell knew this was a fantastic opportunity to make an immediate impact upon his return to the club where he enjoyed cup success during his time as assistant to former manager Neil Warnock.

Southgate sprang a surprise before kick-off, leaving new signing Afonso Alves on the substitutes’ bench instead of handing him his cup debut.

Mido and Jeremie Aliadiere were charged with leading the attack while young defender Jonathan Grounds was given his first taste of the competition in what promised to be a tricky tie for the favourites from the Premier League.

Blackwell was given a standing ovation before kick-off, adding to a highly-charged atmosphere reminiscent of last season when the Blades were competing in the top flight.

With such vociferous backing, the home side made a bright start and came close to opening the scoring within six minutes.

A poor clearance fell to Matt Kilgallon, who struck a crisp, angled volley towards goal which Mark Schwarzer parried. The loose ball almost fell to Lee Martin but he was unable to make contact when the slightest of touches would have been enough.

Moments later Schwarzer scuffed a clearance straight to Quinn, but the Irish midfielder was unable to find a route back to goal with his shot as the Middlesbrough goalkeeper furiously back-tracked.

Southgate will have been concerned by his team’s lack of attacking threat. Jeremie Aliadiere’s powerful run down the left flank came to nothing while Mido volleyed straight at Paddy Kenny, yet this was hardly a meaningful contribution to the first half. When a genuine opportunity presented itself to Mido, who had just Chris Morgan in front of him and Aliadiere overlapping on the left, he promptly over-hit his pass and Kenny was able to snuff out the danger.

The better openings were being created by Blackwell’s side. In the 28th minute Jon Stead met Martin’s corner but powered his header wide when he should have scored.

The visitors enjoyed more good fortune on the cusp of half time when Michael Tonge released Billy Sharp but as the diminutive forward was baring down on goal he was tripped by David Wheater. Referee Chris Foy could have been justified in producing a red card but showed just yellow to the relieved defender.

From a free kick less than a minute later James Beattie’s low shot beat Schwarzer but struck the goalkeeper’s left hand post and bounced to safety as the Blades’ frustrations continued.

Schwarzer continued to be the busier goalkeeper. Six minutes after the re-start Stead demanded a smart save from the Australian international with a low drive which almost caught him unawares. Moments later Kilgallon sneaked in at the back post to meet Martin’s deep free kick but could only direct his header into the side-netting.

Middlesbrough’s best spell arrived just before the hour mark. Firstly, Mido saw his acrobatic overhead kick superbly tipped over the crossbar by Kenny. From the resulting corner Wheater suffered a similar fate with his towering header before Mido blazed over from his side’s second corner in quick succession.

Two minutes later Mido’s sublime pass was struck first time by Stewart Downing but his swerving volley whistled inches wide of Kenny’s left hand post.

“It was a fair result,” Southgate said. “Sheffield United were direct and physical. The pitch dictated the style of the game and we had to play the conditions, which we didn’t do at times but we adapted better in the second half. We are still in there fighting and that’s the most important thing.”

SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-4-2): Kenny 7, Geary 7, Morgan 7, Kilgallon 8, Naysmith 7, Stead 7 (Carney 75, 7), Tonge 9, Quinn 8, Martin 7 (Armstrong 68, 7), Beattie 7 (Hulse 80, 6), Sharp 7.

Subs Not Used: Shelton, Lucketti.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer 7, Young 7, Wheater 6, Pogatetz 6, Grounds 6, O’Neill 7, Rochemback 6, Arca 6 (Boateng 68, 6), Downing 6, Mido 7 (Alves 75, 6), Aliadiere 7.

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Johnson, Hines.

REFEREE: Chris Foy (Merseyside) 7: Showed David Wheater a yellow card when it could have been red, but overall kept a firm grim on a game which threatened to spiral out of control at times.

MATCH RATING: **** Fascinating encounter between a mediocre Premier League side and one from the Championship clearly revelling in the new-found confidence that comes with a change in managerial personnel.

Blackwell’s rollercoaster: Twenty months in the life of Kevin Blackwell

May 2006: Takes Leeds into the Championship play-off final but they lose 3-0 to Watford.

September 2006: Seven points from eight games at the start of the new season and public comments on the club’s finances lead to Blackwell’s sacking from Leeds.

November 2006: Announces plans to sue Leeds for wrongful dismissal.

March 2007: Appointed manager at Luton.

May 2007: Luton relegated from the Championship.

January 2008: Following Luton’s fall into administration, Blackwell announces his intention to resign. He is sacked shortly after leading the club to a 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

February 2008: Appointed manager at Sheffield United following the sacking of Bryan Robson.