Middlesbrough 1 Cardiff 0

Dec 13 2010 The Journal

PATCHED-UP Middlesbrough clawed their way out of the Championship drop zone with an industrious 1-0 win over high-flying Cardiff.

Julio Arca sealed the precious three points with a clinical first-half penalty but the victory was built on the steely platform of a makeshift defence.

Injuries and suspension forced boss Tony Mowbray into fielding a hastily assembled rookie rearguard against a side that boasted the best scoring record in the division and the blistering pace of Craig Bellamy.

Seb Hines, just back from a string of injuries, came in for suspended centre-back David Wheater for his first league start in 13 months while Justin Hoyte made his first start under Mowbray at right-back. They teamed up with Matthew Bates, himself restored to central defence only a few weeks ago, and young Joe Bennett.

And the defence were given a tough test in a fast and furious second half as second placed Cardiff launched an all out assault with former Newcastle duo Bellamy and Michael Chopra at the heart of their endeavours .

“The whole back four did well,” said Mowbray . “When you consider that Seb Hines hasn’t played a lot of football for over a year and that Justin Hoyte was making his first start under me, and that the unit has never played together before at all, it was an outstanding performance. They all worked their socks off.” The gaffer reserved special praise for Hines, who lifted the man of the match gong with a sterling show.

“I’ve been struggling for an adjective for him but I’ve settled on ‘immaculate’,” said the boss. “He never put a foot wrong. He was up against one of the best forward lines in the division but he never looked troubled.

“He got a foot in at every opportunity, he was brave, he headed the ball, he was comfortable in possession and had a big hand in the way we played it out from the back. He was never flustered.

“But he wasn’t the only one that excelled. All the players put in an amazing shift of 90 minutes and I am delighted. Everyone did their jobs.”

There is no question about that. Boro beavered away throughout, closing Cardiff down quickly, snapping into tackles across midfield and soaking up a lot of pressure while looking launch some sharp counter-attacks.

After a hectic opening spell, Boro almost broke through on 29 minutes when the impressive Gary O’Neil sent Scott McDonald weaving into the box to drive a low angled drive into the side netting.

At the other end, Bellamy had the ball in the net for Cardiff but was offside.

Boro took the lead on 39 minutes from the penalty spot after Gabor Gyepes bundled Marvin Emnes to the ground. The Dutch defender was the last man and lucky to escape with just a red card.

But Arca punished Cardiff, sending the keeper the wrong way to claim his first league goal in three years.

Boro went close again early in the second half as a powerful Nicky Bailey shot through a crowded box brought a good save from David Marshall.

But Cardiff gradually took control and Bellamy fired into the side netting then clipped the bar with a 20-yard effort.

And on 72 minutes a stinging shot by Chopra was heading to the far top corner but Jason Steele made a great save.

Then in a fast and furious finale Steele again saved well from Peter Whittingham in stoppage time and Kevin McNaughton lashed over from the edge of the box.

“It is nice to get the win but we won’t be getting carried away,” said Mowbray. “It means nothing unless we can push on.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Steele, Hoyte, Bates, Hines, Bennett, Bailey, O’Neil, Thomson, Arca, McDonald, Emnes. Subs (not used): Coyne, Boyd, Kink, Robson, Luke Williams, McMahon, Tavares.

Booked: Arca, Bennett, Bailey.

Goal: Arca 40 pen.

CARDIFF: Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Gyepes, Naylor, Burke, Olofinjana, Drinkwater (Chopra 51), Whittingham, Bellamy, Keogh. Subs (not used): Santiago, Rae, McPhail, Blake, Matthews, Riggott.

Booked: Gyepes, Chopra.

Attendance: 14,250 Referee: Tony Bates (Staffs)