Jeremie hails Boro battlers

Mar 17 2008 by Jack Pickering, The Journal

JEREMIE Aliadiere was quick to praise his team-mates after scoring the goal which gave Middlesbrough another pride-restoring point at the Emirates Stadium.

Former Gunner Aliadiere fired Boro – who had Mido sent off two minutes from time – into a shock lead against the run of play with a clinical finish from Tunçay’s cross, only to see his side pegged back by a late Kolo Toure header.

Boro had defended like Trojan warriors as Arsenal dominated and, although Aliadiere admitted his strike was particularly sweet on his first return to the Emirates Stadium since leaving last summer, he hailed Boro’s rearguard action as the foundation of their success.

“It was very special for me to come back here for the first time and get a goal,” said the French striker. “We defended really well. That was the plan, work hard, defend whenever we could and try to catch them on the break.

“We knew we were capable of scoring on the counter-attack, and that’s what we did. I made a good run, got a chance and we scored. That was a good advantage for us. Then we had to keep strong, which we did. Everybody had to do their share of defending and everybody worked hard.”

Boro were reduced to 10-men when substitute Mido was shown a straight red when his outstretched boot caught Gael Clichy in the face, cutting the Arsenal defender.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate – yet to lose to Arsenal since taking charge at the Riverside – is hoping referee Mark Halsey decides to overturn his decision when he looks at replays of the incident but ruled out an appeal.

Aliadiere had a ban increased from three games to four after Boro tried to get his sending off at Liverpool scratched and the Frenchman felt sympathy for Mido after marking his comeback game with a goal.

“I think Mido’s red card was even worse than mine to be honest,” he said. “Hopefully he won’t have to go through what I did. I feel sorry for Mido because I know what he is going through. We don’t need to have another player out for a long period of time.”

The result means Arsenal have not won in four league games, allowing rivals Manchester United to keep hold of top spot after winning at Derby.

Southgate was disappointed to see his side concede from a corner but delighted they followed their midweek draw at Aston Villa with a terrific performance as they continue to try to get over their dismal FA Cup defeat to Cardiff.

He said: “When you get as close as we have and conceded a goal in the manner that we have, then you feel disappointed. But I’ve got to be incredibly proud of the way the players performed because last Sunday we were a bit of a laughing stock.

“We lost incredible pride and face with our own fans and we’ve given two performances since that have been full of guts and character.”

Aliadiere crashed Boro in front from close range after Mark Schwarzer’s floated free kick had picked out striker partner Tunçay. Cesc Fabregas should have brought the Gunners level but had a shot blocked by Schwarzer and then struck the post with a downward header. But the Spanish midfielder had a hand in the equaliser when his right-wing corner found Toure, who powered home his header through a crowded goalmouth.

ARSENAL: Almunia, Sagna (Bendtner 61), Toure, Gallas, Clichy (Senderos 89), Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, Van Persie (Walcott 61). Subs (not used): Lehmann, Silva.

Goal: Toure 86.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Young, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, O’Neil, Shawky (Cattermole 46), Boateng, Downing, Sanli (Taylor 68), Aliadiere (Mido 78). Subs (not used): Turnbull, Arca.

Sent Off: Mido (88).

Booked: Wheater, O’Neil.

Goal: Aliadiere 25.

Attendance: 60,084

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).