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Match Report

English FA Cup

Saturday, 24 January 2015,

Man City
0
-
Full Time
Live
-
2
Middlesbro
  • Kickoff: 16:00 BST
  • Stadium: Etihad Stadium
  • Referee: -
  • Stadium: Etihad Stadium
  • Attendance: 44,836
    • 53' Patrick Bamford
    • 91' Garcia Kike

    Manchester City

    Half time

    Full time

    Middlesbrough

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    Pellegrini: We will be fresh

    Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini claims his team will be refreshed and ready for the challenge of Middlesbrough after a week in Abu Dhabi.

    The Barclays Premier League champions flew to the United Arab Emirates for a five-day warm-weather training camp straight after last week's frustrating loss to Arsenal.

    Their trip included a friendly against German side Hamburg but they were only due to return to Manchester the day before the visit of Sky Bet Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round.

    Some have questioned the wisdom of the mid-season venture given the travelling involved, but Pellegrini does not think the long-haul flight will adversely affect preparation.

    The Chilean told the club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk: "We are not worried about the travelling element.

    "There is only a few hours difference between and we will return to the CFA (City Football Academy) on Friday and prepare for the game as normal.

    "It was the right time to have a break and we've enjoyed our stay in Abu Dhabi.

    "Last January we played eight or nine games so it was important to have this time so we can return refreshed."

    The trip may have come at a cost with former England midfielder Frank Lampard withdrawn 20 minutes into the Hamburg match as a precaution after suffering an injury in the warm-up.

    That might make him doubtful for the Middlesbrough clash but the problem is reportedly not serious and Lampard is expected to be fit to face his former club and title rivals Chelsea next week.

    Defender Tomas Kalas is Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka's only fresh doubt.

    The 21-year-old Czech Republic international, who is on loan from Chelsea, took a kick to the ankle during Tuesday night's 2-1 Sky Bet Championship victory over Cardiff and is being assessed.

    Central defender Daniel Ayala came through the midweek game without picking up a 10th booking of the season, so is available, although midfielder Grant Leadbitter was cautioned for the eighth time and like Ayala, is closing in on a two-game ban.

    Former England defender Jonathan Woodgate was an unused substitute against the Bluebirds and is in contention for just his second senior appearance of the season at the Etihad Stadium.

    Emilio Nsue is away with Equatorial Guinea at the African Nations Cup, while fellow full-back Ryan Fredericks continues his recovery from a thigh muscle injury and Muzzy Carayol, Damia Abella (both knee) and Rhys Williams (Achilles) remain on the sidelines.

    Karanka hopes his players can draw on their experience of playing at Anfield this season.

    A trip to the home of the Barclays Premier League champions sounds a daunting proposition, but Boro showed in September that they are capable of holding their own against top-flight opposition when they pushed Liverpool all the way to penalties in the Capital One Cup.

    It was 1-1 after 90 minutes at Anfield and 2-2 following 30 minutes of extra-time, as Patrick Bamford's 120th-minute penalty set up a shoot-out which Liverpool eventually won 14-13.

    Karanka's men received plenty of plaudits for their performance against the Reds and the Spaniard hopes that experience will stand Boro in good stead when they travel to the Etihad.

    ''The best thing we can take from the Liverpool game is the personality we had,'' said Karanka.

    ''We played in Anfield and played against them face to face and that's the important thing on Saturday.

    ''I want us to finish the game on Saturday in the same way we finished against Liverpool - where everyone who watched the game thinks about how good a team Middlesbrough are.

    ''There's a big difference between us and Manchester City, but football is football.

    ''I know it's going to be a difficult game but we're preparing to fight face to face with them in the same way that we did against Liverpool.

    ''For us it's a difficult test against one of the best squads not only in the Premier League but the world. They have amazing number of players, have a good coach and it will be very difficult for us.

    ''The normal thing would be for us to lose the game but I'm not here to prepare the team to lose.''

    91'+4

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    91'+4

    James Milner crosses the ball.

    91'+4

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    91'+4

    Middlesbrough makes a sub: Yannick Wildschut enters for Patrick Bamford. Reason: Tactical

    91'+2

    0 - 2

    Goal!! Garcia Kike hits a right footed shot to the lower left corner from the left penalty area and scores!! Middlesbrough now leads 2 - 0

    91'+2

    Garcia Kike hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: goal

    91'+2

    That last goal was assisted by Patrick Bamford

    91'+2

    Tomas Mejias (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 93'

    91'+1

    Pablo Zabaleta commits a foul on Albert Adomah resulting on a free kick for Middlesbrough

    91'+1

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    91'+1

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    91'+1

    Ben Gibson blocks the shot

    91'+1

    Sergio Agüero hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    91'

    Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) Free Kick at 91'

    91'

    End of the game

    91'

    The referee has signaled the end of the second half

    90'

    Daniel Ayala commits a foul on Edin Dzeko resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    90'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    90'

    Dean Whitehead clears the ball from danger.

    89'

    Dean Whitehead clears the ball from danger.

    89'

    Adam Clayton blocks the shot

    89'

    Frank Lampard hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    89'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    89'

    Sergio Agüero crosses the ball.

    88'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Defending)

    87'

    Dedryck Boyata clears the ball from danger.

    87'

    Albert Adomah crosses the ball.

    87'

    Throw-in: Dean Whitehead takes it (Attacking)

    87'

    Middlesbrough makes a sub: Garcia Kike enters for Jelle Vossen. Reason: Tactical

    85'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Attacking)

    85'

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    85'

    Throw-in: Aleksandar Kolarov takes it (Defending)

    84'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    84'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    83'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    83'

    Aleksandar Kolarov crosses the ball.

    82'

    Dedryck Boyata clears the ball from danger.

    82'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    82'

    Sergio Agüero hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

    82'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    82'

    Pablo Zabaleta crosses the ball.

    81'

    Throw-in: George Friend takes it (Defending)

    81'

    Middlesbrough makes a sub: Adam Reach enters for Lee Tomlin. Reason: Tactical

    79'

    Aleksandar Kolarov clears the ball from danger.

    79'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    79'

    Manchester City makes a sub: Edin Dzeko enters for Fernando. Reason: Tactical

    77'

    Throw-in: George Friend takes it (Defending)

    76'

    James Milner crosses the ball.

    76'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    75'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Defending)

    75'

    Fernando clears the ball from danger.

    75'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    74'

    James Milner crosses the ball.

    74'

    Wilfredo Caballero makes the save (Fumble)

    74'

    Jelle Vossen hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    74'

    Albert Adomah crosses the ball.

    74'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    74'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    74'

    James Milner crosses the ball.

    73'

    George Friend blocks the shot

    73'

    Sergio Agüero hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    72'

    Throw-in: James Milner takes it (Attacking)

    72'

    Throw-in: David Silva takes it (Attacking)

    72'

    Throw-in: Dean Whitehead takes it (Defending)

    72'

    Dean Whitehead (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 72'

    71'

    Dean Whitehead

    71'

    Fernandinho

    70'

    Fernandinho commits a foul on Grant Leadbitter resulting on a free kick for Middlesbrough

    70'

    George Friend (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 70'

    70'

    Pablo Zabaleta commits a foul on Grant Leadbitter resulting on a free kick for Middlesbrough

    69'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    68'

    Adam Clayton clears the ball from danger.

    68'

    David Silva crosses the ball.

    68'

    Aleksandar Kolarov crosses the ball.

    67'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Attacking)

    67'

    Manchester City makes a sub: Fernandinho enters for Stevan Jovetic. Reason: Tactical

    67'

    Manchester City makes a sub: Frank Lampard enters for Jesús Navas. Reason: Tactical

    66'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    65'

    Wilfredo Caballero (Manchester City) Free Kick at 65'

    65'

    Albert Adomah commits a foul on James Milner resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    65'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    64'

    Wilfredo Caballero takes a long goal kick

    64'

    Lee Tomlin hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: hit post

    62'

    Wilfredo Caballero makes the save (Catch)

    62'

    Albert Adomah hits a good left footed shot. Outcome: save

    61'

    Dedryck Boyata (Manchester City) Free Kick at 61'

    61'

    Jelle Vossen commits a foul on Dedryck Boyata resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    60'

    Wilfredo Caballero clears the ball from danger.

    60'

    Albert Adomah crosses the ball.

    60'

    Fernando clears the ball from danger.

    60'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    59'

    Sergio Agüero hits a good header, but it is off target. Outcome: miss left

    59'

    James Milner crosses the ball.

    59'

    Ben Gibson blocks the shot

    59'

    David Silva hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    59'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    59'

    Aleksandar Kolarov crosses the ball.

    59'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    59'

    Jesús Navas crosses the ball.

    58'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Other)

    58'

    Sergio Agüero hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    57'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    57'

    Jesús Navas crosses the ball.

    57'

    Throw-in: Jesús Navas takes it (Attacking)

    57'

    Fernando blocks the shot

    57'

    Grant Leadbitter hits an impressive right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    57'

    Wilfredo Caballero makes the save (Fumble)

    57'

    Lee Tomlin hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    56'

    Dean Whitehead (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 56'

    56'

    Pablo Zabaleta commits a foul on Jelle Vossen resulting on a free kick for Middlesbrough

    55'

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    55'

    Stevan Jovetic crosses the ball.

    55'

    Adam Clayton clears the ball from danger.

    55'

    Grant Leadbitter blocks the shot

    55'

    James Milner hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    53'

    0 - 1

    Goal!! Patrick Bamford hits a left footed shot low through the middle from the centre 6 yard and scores!! Middlesbrough now leads 1 - 0

    53'

    Patrick Bamford hits a good left footed shot. Outcome: goal

    53'

    Fernando clears the ball from danger.

    53'

    Wilfredo Caballero makes the save (Feet)

    53'

    Albert Adomah hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    52'

    Dedryck Boyata clears the ball from danger.

    52'

    Vincent Kompany clears the ball from danger.

    52'

    Pablo Zabaleta blocks the shot

    52'

    Patrick Bamford hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    52'

    James Milner clears the ball from danger.

    52'

    Grant Leadbitter crosses the ball.

    52'

    Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 52'

    51'

    Vincent Kompany

    51'

    Vincent Kompany commits a foul on Jelle Vossen resulting on a free kick for Middlesbrough

    51'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    50'

    Fernando hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

    50'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Fumble)

    50'

    Stevan Jovetic hits a good header. Outcome: save

    50'

    Adam Clayton blocks the shot

    50'

    Aleksandar Kolarov hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    50'

    David Silva (Manchester City) Free Kick at 50'

    49'

    Daniel Ayala

    49'

    Daniel Ayala commits a foul on Sergio Agüero resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    49'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Attacking)

    48'

    Aleksandar Kolarov (Manchester City) Free Kick at 48'

    48'

    Patrick Bamford commits a foul on Vincent Kompany resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    48'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Attacking)

    47'

    Throw-in: George Friend takes it (Defending)

    47'

    James Milner (Manchester City) Free Kick at 47'

    47'

    Jelle Vossen commits a foul on James Milner resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    47'

    Wilfredo Caballero (Manchester City) Free Kick at 47'

    46'

    Jelle Vossen commits a foul on Wilfredo Caballero resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    46'

    Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 46'

    46'

    Aleksandar Kolarov commits a foul on Patrick Bamford resulting on a free kick for Middlesbrough

    46'

    The second half is under way

    46'+1

    Aleksandar Kolarov clears the ball from danger.

    46'+1

    Fernando blocks the shot

    46'+1

    Lee Tomlin hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    46'

    Vincent Kompany clears the ball from danger.

    46'

    Throw-in: Dean Whitehead takes it (Defending)

    46'

    The referee has signaled the end of the first half

    45'

    Throw-in: Sergio Agüero takes it (Attacking)

    45'

    Adam Clayton clears the ball from danger.

    45'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    44'

    Aleksandar Kolarov crosses the ball.

    44'

    Dean Whitehead clears the ball from danger.

    44'

    Wilfredo Caballero takes a long goal kick

    44'

    Patrick Bamford hits a good header, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

    44'

    Dean Whitehead crosses the ball.

    43'

    Vincent Kompany clears the ball from danger.

    43'

    Fernando (Manchester City) Free Kick at 43'

    43'

    Adam Clayton commits a foul on James Milner resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    42'

    Aleksandar Kolarov blocks the shot

    42'

    Patrick Bamford hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    42'

    George Friend crosses the ball.

    42'

    Wilfredo Caballero takes a short goal kick

    41'

    George Friend hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss left

    40'

    Throw-in: George Friend takes it (Defending)

    39'

    Albert Adomah clears the ball from danger.

    39'

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    39'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Fumble)

    39'

    Stevan Jovetic hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    39'

    Jesús Navas crosses the ball.

    38'

    Wilfredo Caballero takes a short goal kick

    38'

    Lee Tomlin hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss left

    37'

    Throw-in: Stevan Jovetic takes it (Attacking)

    36'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Parry)

    36'

    David Silva hits a good left footed shot. Outcome: save

    36'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Attacking)

    35'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Attacking)

    35'

    George Friend blocks the shot

    35'

    Jesús Navas hits a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    34'

    Fernando (Manchester City) Free Kick at 34'

    34'

    Dean Whitehead commits a foul on Stevan Jovetic resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    33'

    Sergio Agüero crosses the ball.

    31'

    Ben Gibson blocks the shot

    31'

    Fernando hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: blocked

    30'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Parry)

    30'

    James Milner hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    30'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    30'

    Dedryck Boyata hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: over bar

    30'

    James Milner crosses the ball.

    29'

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    29'

    Jesús Navas crosses the ball.

    29'

    James Milner (Manchester City) Free Kick at 29'

    28'

    Jelle Vossen commits a foul on James Milner resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    28'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Other)

    28'

    James Milner hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    28'

    Throw-in: Aleksandar Kolarov takes it (Attacking)

    28'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    28'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Fumble)

    28'

    Stevan Jovetic hits a good right footed shot. Outcome: save

    27'

    Tomas Mejias makes the save (Fumble)

    27'

    Aleksandar Kolarov hits a good left footed shot. Outcome: save

    26'

    Aleksandar Kolarov clears the ball from danger.

    26'

    Dedryck Boyata clears the ball from danger.

    25'

    Dean Whitehead crosses the ball.

    25'

    James Milner clears the ball from danger.

    25'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    25'

    Sergio Agüero curls a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

    24'

    Throw-in: George Friend takes it (Defending)

    24'

    Fernando clears the ball from danger.

    24'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    23'

    David Silva curls a good left footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss left

    22'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    22'

    Jesús Navas crosses the ball.

    22'

    Fernando (Manchester City) Free Kick at 22'

    22'

    Patrick Bamford commits a foul on Aleksandar Kolarov resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    21'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    20'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    20'

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    19'

    Daniel Ayala clears the ball from danger.

    19'

    George Friend clears the ball from danger.

    19'

    Wilfredo Caballero (Manchester City) Free Kick at 19'

    19'

    Offside called on Patrick Bamford

    18'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    18'

    Stevan Jovetic hits a good right footed shot, but it is off target. Outcome: miss right

    15'

    Throw-in: Aleksandar Kolarov takes it (Attacking)

    15'

    Patrick Bamford clears the ball from danger.

    15'

    Ben Gibson clears the ball from danger.

    15'

    Aleksandar Kolarov crosses the ball.

    15'

    Throw-in: Aleksandar Kolarov takes it (Defending)

    14'

    James Milner (Manchester City) Free Kick at 14'

    14'

    Albert Adomah commits a foul on Jesús Navas resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    12'

    Wilfredo Caballero (Manchester City) Free Kick at 12'

    11'

    Patrick Bamford commits a foul on Aleksandar Kolarov resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    11'

    Throw-in: Dean Whitehead takes it (Attacking)

    11'

    Throw-in: Dean Whitehead takes it (Attacking)

    9'

    Throw-in: George Friend takes it (Attacking)

    8'

    Throw-in: Sergio Agüero takes it (Attacking)

    8'

    Tomas Mejias clears the ball from danger.

    7'

    Wilfredo Caballero clears the ball from danger.

    6'

    Dedryck Boyata clears the ball from danger.

    6'

    Tomas Mejias (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 6'

    6'

    Offside called on Jesús Navas

    5'

    Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) Free Kick at 5'

    5'

    James Milner commits a foul on Grant Leadbitter resulting on a free kick for Middlesbrough

    5'

    Aleksandar Kolarov crosses the ball.

    3'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Attacking)

    3'

    Throw-in: George Friend takes it (Defending)

    2'

    Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City) Free Kick at 2'

    2'

    Jelle Vossen commits a foul on Pablo Zabaleta resulting on a free kick for Manchester City

    2'

    Tomas Mejias takes a long goal kick

    1'

    Throw-in: Pablo Zabaleta takes it (Defending)

    1'

    Game on!

    Show all commentary

    Possession

    67%
    33%
    • Manchester City
    • Middlesbrough

    Shots

    23
    16

    Shots on target

    8
    8

    Fouls

    7
    14

    Corners

    0
    0

    Yellow Cards

    2
    2

    Red Cards

    0
    0

    Head to Head

    Man City0 - 2Middlesbro
    Middlesbro0 - 1Man City
    Man City1 - 0Middlesbro
    Middlesbro2 - 0Man City
    Middlesbro8 - 1Man City
    Man City3 - 1Middlesbro

    Man City

    • 13Wilfredo Caballero
    • 4Vincent Kompany
    • 5Pablo Zabaleta
    • 38Dedryck Boyata
    • 11Aleksandar Kolarov
    • 15Jesús Navas
    • -> Frank Lampard
    • 7James Milner
    • 21David Silva
    • 35Stevan Jovetic
    • -> Fernandinho
    • 6Fernando
    • -> Edin Dzeko
    • 16Sergio Agüero
    • Subs
    • 22Gaël Clichy
    • 3Bacary Sagna
    • 26Martín Demichelis
    • 1Joe Hart

    Middlesbro

    • 40Tomas Mejias
    • 4Daniel Ayala
    • 6Ben Gibson
    • 3George Friend
    • 27Albert Adomah
    • 7Grant Leadbitter
    • 8Adam Clayton
    • 18Dean Whitehead
    • 23Patrick Bamford
    • -> Yannick Wildschut
    • 10Lee Tomlin
    • -> Adam Reach
    • 21Jelle Vossen
    • -> Garcia Kike
    • Subs
    • 39Jonathan Woodgate
    • 17James Husband
    • 12Connor Ripley
    • 22Kenneth Omeruo

    Manchester City stunned by Middlesbrough in FA Cup shock

    Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford and Kike struck in the second half as Championship side Middlesbrough produced a shock 2-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup.

    England Under-21 international Bamford pounced on a defensive misunderstanding early in the second half and substitute Kike settled a thrilling fourth-round tie in injury time at the Etihad Stadium.

    City dominated the first half but were denied repeatedly by Boro's former Real Madrid goalkeeper Tomas Mejias and their luck seemed out when Frank Lampard's deflected 89th-minute shot hit the post.

    Had that gone in they might have snatched a replay but Kike stunned them in the closing moments.

    Boro deserved their success for their resilience in defence and incisiveness up front, with the excellent Lee Tomlin also hitting the woodwork.

    But the result will also raise further questions of the wisdom of City's decision to travel to Abu Dhabi for a five-day warm-weather training camp in the build-up to the game.

    After last week's loss to Arsenal, Manuel Pellegrini's men have hit an untimely slump and next week's trip to title rivals Chelsea takes on critical importance.

    City boss Manuel Pellegrini had fielded a strong side and they looked bright early on, showing no signs of weariness after their travels.

    Boro also started well and Tomlin headed the ball into the net early on but the flag had long been raised for offisde.

    It took some time for City create any meaningful chances but a couple of dangerous runs from Sergio Aguero suggested they were keen to take a grip of the game.

    They moved up a gear as David Silva had a shot blocked and Aguero latched onto a good ball from James Milner and beat two defenders before slamming a shot into the side-netting.

    Milner then shook off the attention of Adam Clayton to deliver a menacing cross from the right and Aleksandar Kolarov and Stevan Jovetic both tested Mejias in quick succession.

    Silva and Milner also shot at Mejias before combining at a corner to create a glorious chance for Dedryck Boyata but the defender miscued his first attempt and blasted his second over.

    Milner then brought a superb full-length save out of Mejias with a low drive and Silva also extended his fellow Spaniard when his long-range effort took a deflection and almost crept inside the post.

    The keeper then produced an even better save to beat away a piledriver from Jovetic after Silva had narrowly failed to get a connection to a Jesus Navas cross.

    The bombardment looked set to continue in the second half as Kolarov had a free-kick deflected narrowly wide and Mejias was again called into action to keep out a Jovetic header.

    But Boro took great confidence from their defensive strength and began to play more expanisvely.

    They started to push forward and Vincent Kompany was booked for a rash foul on Jelle Vossen.

    That indicated to Boro that they could ruffle their hosts and so it again proved as they took the lead after 53 minutes following some shambolic defending by City.

    Fernando sold Willy Caballero short with an under-hit backpass and Albert Adomah seized the opportunity, knocking the keeper over in a fair challenge to win the ball and slipping it towards goal. Bamford ran in to finish off.

    Aguero went down in the area under a challenge from Clayton but nothing was given by referee Phil Dowd and Middlesbrough maintained the pressure and threatened a second.

    Adomah went through but failed to beat Caballero before Lee Tomlin produced a wonderful turn on the edge of the box only to shoot agonisingly against the post.

    City tried to disrupt Middlesbrough's ryhthm by sending on Frank Lampard and Fernandinho but they got little joy as they approached the visitors' well-guarded goal.

    Clayton cut out a hopeful ball from Kolarov and George Friend blocked Aguero.

    Boro countered and Caballero did well to push away a fine volleyed effort from Vossen as he latched onto Adomah's deep cross.

    City kept pushing and almost scored when Lampard's late effort took a deflection and looped onto the post.

    Boro made the most of the reprieve and Kike sparked jubilant celebrations as he raced through from a Bamford pass and calmly beat Caballero.




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