Manchester City v Middlesbrough April 2006 pics and comments on this Premiership game

City 0 Middlesbrough 1
April 2nd 2006 att. 40,256

The boos that echoed round the City of Manchester Stadium both at half time and full time told it all. This was a disgraceful dismal display by City with only David James deserving to be paid a penny. It was City's 4th Premier league loss on the trot and no doubt the sales of season cards took a yet another plunge. The wet cold weather that had to be endured didn't help and I can't help feeling that the so called attendance of 40,000 or so 'official ' figure was exaggerated. I have heard that regular season card holders are included in the figures whether they are actually there or not. Surely this cannot be right. The bare areas around the ground can be seen easily. Advertisers are not easily fooled.
Are we expecting too much from this team? I know the team have been hit with injuries but our bench is pretty lightweight compared with many other clubs. The squad is high in numbers but low in quality. If the players don't play as a team then goals and points are going to be difficult to get.

City welcomed back Samaras and Sinclair but were without the injured Barton and suspended Distin

With their sights on Europe Middlesbrough fielded several reserves while their supporters no doubt feeling the costs of a visit to Basle were short in numbers

It was over a minute before a City player touched the ball and the opening phase of the game did not auger much hope for City as the visitors dictated the play.

David James takes an awkward cross

The battle for midfield was being won by the visitors

Middlesbrough's Brazilian Fabio Rochemback gets to grips with Albert Riera

The only entertainment so far came from a Middlesbrough fan whose antics brightened up events on the field.

It's not me... it's her

Eventually the law were called in and do I detect a smile under that helmet.

A City attack comes to naught following a cross from Riera

Richards and Parnaby in a tussle for the ball

Vassell put through by Ireland misses his chance when tackled by Boating

The look of determination and concentration on the face of Yakubu says it all

Richards takes evasive action as Rochemback shoots

Middlesbrough took a well deserved lead three minutes before half time. A terrific powerful cross from Downing was headed by 18 year old youngster Lee Cattermole past David James for his first Premiership goal.

Vassell avoids the boot of Chris Riggott who clears a City attack

Riera puts over a dangerous cross

As Darth Vader stands nearby Steve Wrigley bits his nails while Shawn Wright-Phillips waits for his brother to enter the action..... or not.

Riera shoots for goal but shoots wide after a Dunne free kick

Even the entertainers at half time gave the thumbs down to the City performance in the first half.
Surely it must get better in the second half .... you wanna bet!

Old Mother Riley ( kids ..Your granddad will remember) who had given no cautions in the first half-... was that a record...got in on the act when he had to clear a load of balloons .. yes the first half had been a load of balloons!.

Georgios Samaras was not making much headway against the strong influence of Ugo Ehiogu

Middlesbrough reserve keeper Jones punches clear from Sibierski

Richards makes a decisive block to save the day

Lee Cattermole breaks through and James has to save not once but......

.... twice as the youngster followed up James's block.

James saves from Yakubu

Samaras tried to escape the attentions of Ehiogu

Mills tries to block a Yakubu shot

Except from the odd cross Jones had little to fear from the City attack

Samaras can only watch as Ehiogu heads clear

James at full stretch saves a free kick from Rochemback

James once more to the rescue as Middlesbrough pile on the pressure

The game itself had little incident with no yellow cars but Yakubu did get a bit upset about something.

Vassell is tackled by Ehiogu

A lackluster non team performance by City dropped us to 13th in the League , similar to the position when Keegan left last season. A lightweight midfield lacking Barton and Reyna was over run by a Middlesbrough 'reserve' side saving some of their players for their replay with Basle next Thursday.
The lack of marking, positional play , positive attacking ideas and shooting with very few passing moves gave the initiative to the visitors who might have scored five but for the agility of James. Only Richards and Riera came anywhere near to earning their keep.

Jones makes a comfortable save watched by Chris Riggott