Tuncay proves Southgate’s Turkish delight

GARETH SOUTHGATE has endured some troubled days since plunging into the world of management at the tender age of 36, but this is the kind of result which makes the hurt worthwhile.

Two goals from Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli extended Boro’s unbeaten Premier League run to four games and gave Southgate, in his own words, his best win since taking over two and a half years ago.

Tuncay capitalised on glaring errors from Nicky Shorey and Steve Sidwell to seal an away victory.

All Villa could manage in reply was a goal from Sidwell on his first league start since his £5 million move from Chelsea during the summer.

“I was really pleased with the way we played,” Southgate said. “We passed well, were bright on the break and showed some resilience.

“The players responded to a challenge. I had said to them at the start of the week ‘What do we want to do?’ because in the past we have responded after poor results.

“They have started to grow as a group and this is the best result since I became a manager because of the quality of the opposition.”

Southgate believes the predatory skills of Tuncay can make a big difference to his side. The 26-year-old pounced after 34 minutes when Shorey made a mess of his clearance and then, with two minutes remaining, he made Sidwell pay for a misdirected pass in the box.

He said: “Tuncay has made a big difference to us since coming back into the side. The number of goals he scores is probably the one area he needs to improve but he has got three now, (Afonso) Alves also has three and Mido has four.”

Villa manager Martin O’Neill was crestfallen after seeing his side miss the chance to leapfrog Manchester United into a Champions League spot and he pulled no punches about the error by Sidwell.

The former Celtic manager said: “When there are five minutes to go, if you can’t win then you have to make sure you don’t lose and the goal we gave away was so poor.

“It is hard to imagine a softer goal and a big lapse in concentration. The first goal was also preventable. We had the situation covered and should have dealt with it better.”

However, O’Neill is refusing to blame his side’s recent hectic schedule for a second successive league defeat following the 2-0 reversal at Newcastle on Monday, which sandwiched a UEFA Cup victory in Prague.

He said: “Three games in six days is hard but the top teams have managed to cope with it.

“I didn’t think tiredness beat us. For me, because of the manner of the goals we conceded, this is our most disappointing result of the season.”

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel 6, Cuellar 6, Davies 5, Laursen 4, Shorey 4 (Harewood 70, 5), Reo-Coker 6, Sidwell 6, Barry 6, Milner 6, Agbonlahor 5, A Young 6.

Subs Not Used: Guzan, Routledge, Salifou, Knight, Delfouneso, Gardner.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Turnbull 7, Hoyte 6, Pogatetz 6, Riggott 7, Taylor 7, Aliadiere 6, Digard 6, O’Neil 6, Downing 7, Tuncay 8, Alves 7 (Arca 83, 5).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Emnes, A Johnson, Wheater, Grounds, Walker.

REFEREE: Rob Styles (Hampshire) 7: Has not enjoyed this season but this was an unusually understated performance from the division’s most discussed official.

MATCH RATING: *** Superb win for Boro and Gareth Southgate, albeit against a Villa side that looked drained of energy.