Boro end trophy thirst with Carling Cup

Bolton 1 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough sparked a celebration party that had been 128 years in the planning as they secured their first ever major trophy and a place in Europe with victory in the Carling Cup final.

This success, however, was long overdue as Steve McClaren became the first Englishman in eight years to win one of England’s three main prizes.

Gareth Southgate had been in that Aston Villa team, coached by Brian Little, and it was entirely fitting that he lifted the trophy to a tumultuous ovation from the long-suffering Boro supporters.

With a first-half comedy of defensive errors, this final may have been more slapstick farce than stylish drama but it was hugely entertaining nonetheless.

Joseph-Desire Job gave Boro the lead after just two minutes and on-loan Boudewijn Zenden, who could yet finish the season as the only Chelsea player to win a medal, then converted a mis-hit penalty.

Bolton gamely battled back, with Mark Schwarzer’s careless mistake enabling Kevin Davies, who sat in the stands for Southampton’s FA Cup final defeat last season, to pull a goal back after 21 minutes.

However, they had been on the back foot ever since the second minute as the pre-match fireworks continued on the pitch.

Boro’s initial thrust came after just two minutes in a sweeping counter-attack, with Mendieta inviting Zenden to attack down the left flank and his cross was swept home by Job from close range.

Bolton immediately responded, with Youri Djorkaeff’s drive being tipped over the bar by Schwarzer.

However, Sam Allardyce’s side were left bemoaning their fate just three minutes later when Emerson Thome was penalised for pushing Job from behind as he attempted to turn inside the penalty area.

Bolton complained hard but Job had merely accepted the invitation to fall over and referee Mike Riley, who had been urged to make commonsense decisions by Allardyce, pointed to the spot.

While Zenden slipped just before making contact – and actually made contact with the ball twice – Jussi Jaaskelainen was unable to keep it out with his trailing leg.

Bolton were left somewhat dazed by two such early blows, with Thome then miscuing a clearance from Juninho’s cross over his own bar.

However, Schwarzer then handed them a route back into the game after just 21 minutes. Davies had virtually no support when he took aim, more in hope and desperation than anything else, from a tight angle 20 yards out.

However the ball bobbled just in front of Schwarzer and slipped through his arms to sneak inside the post.

Schwarzer partially redeemed himself to deny Djorkaeff from close range after Frandsen had struck the post.

Boro’s normally solid defence were in disarray as Djorkaeff had one effort deflected just wide and then forced Schwarzer into a fine one-handed save.

With Nolan wasting a free header, Allardyce turned to Henrik Pedersen in place of Frandsen.

His side still remained vulnerable to the counter-attack, with Job putting Mendieta through but the Spaniard lifted his lob onto the top of the roof.

Boro otherwise concentrated on holding onto their lead, with Southgate commanding his troops with stature, and they succeeded in their task.

Mendieta and Michael Ricketts – against his former club – were denied the game’s crowning glory, while there was a late scare as substitute Stelios Giannakopoulos’ shot deflected wide off Ugo Ehiogu’s shoulder.