City earned a point at the Riverside but chances were few and far between for both sides. A Barton header drew a great save from Boro’s Schwarzer in the second half, and for the home side Morrison should have hit the target before the break. City looked solid again at the back but just lacked the final killer ball to snatch the win, although they were much the better side in the second half
Stephen Jordan replaced Ben Thatcher in City’s only change from the Chelsea match.
The Match
The first dangerous moment for City came after six minutes, when Yakubu put a deep cross in from the left, but after sailing over several heads Jordan cooly chested the ball back to James.
The home side were seeing more of the ball early on, but much to the disgust of their supporters gave the ball back to City on several occasions.
City had three corners in quick succession around the 10 minute mark, with a Sibierski header coming closest to threatening Schwarzer, but Viduka stuck out a leg on the six yard line to clear any danger.
No real pattern emerged in the next period, but Sibierski put in a testing cross after 23 minutes after being released by a well-timed Barton pass, although the ball over went too near to Schwarzer who collected easily.
James Morrison got the game’s first real shot in anger in on 29 minutes, his right-footed effort from around 20 yards flying over the corner of post and bar.
But a minute later James came to City’s rescue, blocking a snap-shot on the turn from Yakubu from eight yards out, although Viduka earned most attention for protesting at what he felt was a clip to his heels from Distin. Referee Atkinson was uninterested and play continued.
Sun chipped in a teasing ball two minutes later, but although he rose well to it, Sibierski could not keep his header down and the ball flew high and wide.x
On 38 minutes Sinclair found himself free near the right corner of the box, and he passed to Cole in a similar amount of room. The striker’s shot unfortunately lacked power as he tried to place it into the corner, and Schwarzer fell on it to save.
‘Boro had a great chance after 41 minutes, a Pogatetz cross from the left arriving with Morrison six yards out, but the ball seemed to just hit his leg as he raced in and the ball sailed a long way over James’ crossbar.
City responded well, with a brief spell where Sinclair put in a few testing crosses around 44 minutes, but a Vassell header that drifted safely wide was as close as the Blues got to putting Schwarzer under pressure.
Onuoha received what looked like a harsh yellow card in injury time for a strong challenge on Pogatetz.
Stephen Ireland replaced Sibierski at the break, as City looked to invent a touch more.
‘Boro created the second half’s first chance after 48 minutes, a Mendieta drive from 25 yards shaping away just past James’ right-hand post.
A touch of needle crept into proceedings now, with Sinclair and Pogatetz getting under each-other’s skin with tough tackles, but despite the crowd baying for more cards the referee calmed things down by talking to the players.
Ireland began to have some influence, linking well with his front men, but neither Cole or Vassell could break through the solid defence.
Sinclair found Onuoha on the right after 67 minutes, and the defender’s cross went straight to Cole, who’s faint touch on was blocked by Schwarzer.
A minute later Richard Dunne saved the day at the other end when he perfectly timed a challenge within the area to deny Yakubu.
Schwarzer denied City with a fine save on 74 minutes, touching a diving header from Barton round the left post by getting down low to his left. Barton’s effort came from a decent cross from Jordan after the defender had cut in from the left.
Both sides made substitutions with 10 minutes remaining in an effort to get something from the afternoon.
Sun swung in a corner with six minutes left, but Barton’s shot from outside the area after a header out bounced a long way wide.
Queudrue decided to opt for the spectacular with three minutes left, but his overhead kick went miles over, and he may have been wiser to let the ball pass over him to the recently arrived Maccarone.
