Middlesbrough

Boro fight back in Downing battle
Middlesbrough have reacted angrily to Tottenham's latest attempts to sign Stewart Downing and have hit back by expressing an interest in Aaron Lennon. Spurs said on Saturday they had made a new bid to sign Downing, with reports suggesting they had offered £10m. But Boro chief Keith Lamb said he was \"appalled\" with Tottenham's antics and described their offer as \"derisory\". \"They have not made a £10m bid for Stewart and would be wasting their time if they did,\" added a furious Lamb. Spurs have long been linked with England international Downing, 22, and had a £6m bid by Boro rejected in the summer of 2005. \"We made a very good bid for him. Our highest bid to be honest,\" said Spurs manager Martin Jol after his side's 2-0 loss to Everton at White Hart Lane. \"He is the number one player we want. We want the best and for us he is the best player.\" But Lamb told Boro's official website: \"(Chairman) Steve Gibson and I are appalled at the way Tottenham conduct their business. \"We are shocked and disappointed that they should talk publicly about their interest in one of our players. \"They have not made a £10m offer for Stewart - and would be wasting their time if they did. \"In actual fact, they made a derisory offer. \"I won't even be responding to the bid because they knew in advance that it would be unacceptable. \"We can only consider that it was a mischievous attempt to unsettle Stewart and cause a problem between the player and his hometown club. \"If that is the case it won't succeed - and we won't be giving their offer even the courtesy of a rejection. \"We would be more interested in buying Aaron Lennon from Spurs than selling Stewart because we remain extremely ambitious to take this club forward. \"In fact, during the course of our talks with Spurs, we have already expressed our interest in signing Lennon.\" Downing has made an impressive start to the season. He scored in last weekend's 3-2 defeat by Premiership newcomers Reading and played in England's 4-0 friendly win over Greece under new coach Steve McClaren.

Middlesbrough 0-4 Portsmouth
Portsmouth climbed up to second in the Premiership with a magnificent victory over Middlesbrough at The Riverside. Kanu's brace brought the hosts crashing back to earth after their win over Chelsea, the striker poking home from close-range to put Pompey in front. Boro's Yakubu was twice foiled by David James before Benjani Mwaruwari was left unmarked to head in from a corner. Kanu made it 3-0 with a fabulous solo effort and substitute Svetoslav Todorov chipped in a fourth in stoppage time. Boro have not beaten Portsmouth in the league since 3 December 1994 and they never looked like ending that dismal run on Teesside. Harry Redknapp's Pompey started like an express train and they never gave Boro a chance to get a grip on proceedings. The game was only five minutes old when Mark Schwarzer was forced to sprawl across his line to claw behind a goalbound 25-yard free-kick from Dejan Stefanovic. And Pompey made Boro pay for their early inertia when the resulting corner was not cleared and Kanu pounced to prod in his third goal of the season. The hosts seemed incapable of ever clearing their lines and they were let off moments later when David Thompson sliced wide after yet more hesitant defending. Pompey looked full of confidence and Stefanovic was marauding down the left at every opportunity to cause Boro problems. Gareth Southgate's side slowly improved and Yakubu went close twice, first having a header saved by James then shooting at the keeper from 22 yards. Lee Cattermole and Gaizka Mendieta curled wide too before Kanu nearly doubled the visitors' lead, his stinging drive parried away by Schwarzer. Boro wanted a goal at the start of the second half and Mark Viduka headed over and Yakubu blazed wide as they began promisingly. But Southgate's teamtalk was soon left in tatters as more sloppy marking left Mwaruwari free at the back post to nod in David Thompson's right-wing corner. Boro desperately tried to find a way through and three times they immediately came close to halving the deficit. Mendieta volleyed just over, James brilliantly tipped over Stewart Downing's free-kick and then Chris Riggott's header was scooped off the line by Gary O'Neil. Just as the Riverside crowd were beginning to think their team could get back into the game, Kanu scored a majestic third to stun the home faithful. With Boro pressing he ran from inside his own half, holding off the challenge of George Boateng, to impudently chip over the advancing Schwarzer and into the net. Southgate made a triple substitution with 20 minutes to go but by then the game was over, the imperious Sol Campbell ensuring Boro had no way back in. Sub Todorov secured Pompey's biggest ever Premiership away win in injury time when he latched onto Sean Davis' pass and lobbed over Schwarzer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp: \"Kanu was sitting around all summer and no one else wanted him - anybody could have had him, he was just waiting and he has been fantastic. \"It was a good performance, we did ever so well, but I do worry if we get injuries we'll be bang in trouble. \"Linvoy Primus, Sol Campbell and David James did really well. Sol's a rock.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Mendieta (Rochemback 70), Cattermole (Morrison 70), Boateng, Downing, Viduka (Christie 70), Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Davies. Booked: Parnaby, Downing. Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Primus, Campbell, Stefanovic, O'Neil, Davis, Thompson (Koroman 73), Taylor (Hughes 86), Kanu (Todorov 83), Mwaruwari. Subs Not Used: Jordan, O'Brien. Booked: Todorov. Goals: Kanu 7, Mwaruwari 50, Kanu 57, Todorov 90. Att: 24,834. Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).

Boro waiting on Woodgate answer
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hoping for an answer from Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate on a proposed season-long loan. Woodgate, 26, held talks at the Riverside but former club Newcastle are also believed to be interested in the England international. Southgate said: \"We've had discussions with him and he wants time to think about what he wants to do. \"We've done everything we can to try and make it happen.\" Boro's defensive problems were highlighted as they slumped to a 4-0 home defeat by Portsmouth, prompting Southgate to quip: \"Hopefully he hasn't had the television on while he's thinking about it.\" Southgate, who is also pursuing his attempts to sign Chelsea's German defender Robert Huth, added: \"But we should know something within the next 24 hours.\" Woodgate is looking at a season in English football to get his Real career back on track after it was knocked off the rails by injury nightmare. The England defender signed for Real in a £13.4m deal in August 2004, but has played just 14 games in two years. His chances of regular first-team football at the Bernabeu have been reduced by the arrival of new Real coach Fabio Capello and Italy's World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Woodgate & £6m Huth sign for Boro
Middlesbrough have completed the double signing of defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Robert Huth. Real Madrid and England centre-half Woodgate, 26, has moved to the Riverside on a season's loan with the option of making the deal permanent. German international Huth, 22, has signed a five-year contract after completing a £6m switch from Chelsea. Boro boss Gareth Southgate told the club website: \"This is a significant coup and a big boost.\" He added: \"Both players have a point to prove - and the great thing is that they want to do that with Middlesbrough. I'm absolutely delighted.\" Woodgate, capped five times by England, was also a target for Newcastle as well as Bolton. But the lure of getting his career back on track playing for his hometown club proved too strong. The former Leeds and Newcastle defender has been plagued by injuries since moving to Spain in a £13.4m move in August 2004 and has only played 14 games for Real Madrid. Southgate has been tracking Huth for most of the close season but the towering defender's move fell through because of an ankle injury picked up while on World Cup duty. Huth failed a medical in July but Southgate maintained his interest and promised to monitor the situation.

Chelsea refuse Huth move to Boro
Chelsea defender Robert Huth has failed to complete his move to Middlesbrough. The Stamford Bridge club appear to have held on to 22-year-old Huth because of fellow centre-back William Gallas's switch to Arsenal. Middlesbrough stated they were confident of completing the £6m capture of Huth after the move had been agreed between all parties. But Chelsea seem to have been unwilling to let two central defenders leave without bringing in a replacement. Gallas's transfer to Arsenal was completed just before the transfer deadline on Thursday leaving the Premiership champions no time to sign cover. Ashley Cole arrived at Chelsea as part of the deal but the England international is a left-back. Middlesbrough were supposed to unveil Huth on Thursday but had to postpone the news conference as Chelsea held back on providing their stamp to green light the move. Boro chief executive Keith Lamb hinted Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was negotiating Cole's transfer but seemed certain Huth's switch would go through.

Middlesbrough complete Euell deal
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Charlton midfielder Jason Euell for an undisclosed fee. Jamaica international Euell travelled to Teesside on Wednesday after Boro were given permission to talk to him. Boro's chief executive Keith Lamb confirmed to the club's website that the deal had been completed. The 29-year-old joined Charlton from Wimbledon for £4.75m in July 2001, but has not featured so far this season under new Addicks' boss Iain Dowie. Boro boss Gareth Southgate is looking for different attacking options following Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink's departure for Charlton during the summer. Euell was Charlton's top scorer for three successive seasons under previous boss Alan Curbishley. Lamb also quashed speculation that Mark Viduka and Stewart Downing would be exiting the Riverside, saying both were staying put.

Arsenal 1-1 Middlesbrough
Arsenal were forced to come from behind again at their new Emirates Stadium to rescue a point against Middlesbrough. James Morrison curled in on 21 minutes after a one-two with Jason Euell - and keeper Mark Schwarzer kept Boro ahead with a number of fine saves. But Boro had skipper George Boateng sent off on 64 minutes for two cautions and then Thierry Henry scored from the spot after Emanuel Eboue was fouled. Arsenal poured forward after that but Boro withstood the intense pressure. The result leaves Arsenal still searching for their first Premiership win of the season and was a world away from the 7-0 thrashing they handed Boro the last time they met in London. William Gallas made his Arsenal debut and was employed at left-back - a position he was supposedly reluctant to play at with former club Chelsea. And he was caught napping for Boro's goal, admittedly along with the rest of the Arsenal defence, when Boro took an unexpected lead. Morrison picked up the ball on the right flank and exchanged passes with Euell to cut inside the Arsenal backline before flicking a smart shot beyond Jens Lehmann. Until then, Arsenal had made all the running, carving out intricate patterns of play and regularly testing Schwarzer. But for all their possession, the Gunners had little penetration - and even less potency when they did manage to create an opening. Schwarzer was easily equal to efforts from Henry and Robin van Persie - and made one outstanding reflex save to tip over a fierce shot from Alexander Hleb. Boro's doggedness in defence was typified by Jonathan Woodgate, making his debut following his loan move from Real Madrid. Tough in the tackle and bossing his team-mates with authority, Woodgate led Boro's backline with a genuinely classy performance. And in midfield, Boateng performed similarly, until he got himself sent off. His first yellow card was unnecessary as he argued with the referee following a quick free-kick taken by Henry, which clipped the outside of the post. Moments later Boateng clipped Freddie Ljungberg, appeared to hurt himself in the process and his misery was compounded when he was booked again. And then it got even worse for Boro, as they conceded a penalty after Stewart Downing was judged to have tripped Eboue. Henry converted with ease to bring his side level - and immediately Arsenal made three changes to their line-up. Among those to come on was new signing Julio Baptista, the muscled Brazilian seemingly introduced to add steel to Arsenal's silk. But he could not help Arsenal find a way through, and their usually measured approach play became increasingly frantic. Boro will be delighted to have come away with a point, while Arsenal continue to misfire and the concerns must be growing in north London with the side fourth bottom of the Premiership table. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger : \"I cannot say that I am unconcerned. When we fail to win a game we have dominated, it is always worrying. \"It was one of those games when we had all the ball, and the chances against a side that refused to come and play. \"But we got ourselves into trouble by falling behind and gave ourselves a mountain to climb. We just cannot finish off teams.\" Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate: \"We knew we would need strength of character and discpline in the way we played and we had it in abundance. \"We showed it throughout and to hang on the way we did when we were down to 10 men was was a fantastic achievment. \"We scored a great goal on the break and then it was a case of defence against attack but someimes you have to do that at places like this.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Gallas, Hleb, Fabregas, Silva (Rosicky 69), Ljungberg (Julio Baptista 69), Van Persie (Adebayor 69), Henry. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Flamini. Booked: Van Persie. Goals: Henry 67 pen. Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Morrison (Parnaby 72), Euell, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing (Cattermole 72), Yakubu (Viduka 85). Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Johnson. Sent Off: Boateng (64). Booked: Pogatetz, Davies, Euell, Boateng, Downing, Cattermole. Goals: Morrison 22. Att: 60,007 Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

Injured Boateng given 10-day rest
Middlesbrough skipper George Boateng has been ordered by a specialist to rest his injured knee for 10 days. He was hurt in a challenge on Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg - which led to the Boro midfielder being given a second yellow card as he was carried off. The 31-year-old would have been suspended for Boro's weekend trip to Bolton but he will now also miss the Carling Cup tie against Notts County. Boateng's injury will be reassessed at the end of his enforced rest period.

Fans allege Rome police attacks
The European Parliament is pursuing allegations that Middlesbrough supporters were attacked without provocation by police in Rome. Two fans - including Cleveland Police Authority's chairman - said police also stole from supporters who had travelled to Italy for the Uefa clash with Roma. Trouble flared ahead of the 15 March game when gangs targeted English fans. A European Parliament spokesman said it would try to get a response to the allegations from Italian authorities. David McLuckie, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, and fellow Middlesbrough fan Peter Green flew to Brussels to address the Parliament's petitions committee. They are demanding an apology from the Italian Football Federation and Rome police. According to Mr McLuckie, more than 3,000 fans were caught up at some stage in unprovoked police violence. He said: \"If I hadn't been able to produce my police authority identity I don't know what would have happened. Further inquiry \"Fans were being beaten up and the police were actually stealing private property - not money but perfumes and other items, from the fans. \"Everyone was fingertip-searched on entry into the ground, and the police behaviour was just appalling.\" Mr Green told the MEPs he would also be seeking compensation after one of his sons was stabbed when he was ambushed by Italian thugs. He claims Italian police failed to take a statement from his injured son and that they have not investigated the incident. MEPs also passed the written submissions of the fans for further inquiry to members of the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee. On Wednesday evening, a Parliament spokesman said: \"We have only heard one side of the story so far, but the European Parliament is taking this further and seeing if we can get a response to these allegations.\"

Bolton v Middlesbrough
Midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos has recovered from a groin strain and will go straight into the Bolton team. But strike duo Kevin Davies and Henrik Pedersen are still out injured, along with Joey O'Brien and Ricardo Gardner. Middlesbrough will play Adam Johnson and Lee Cattermole as Stewart Downing is injured and George Boateng banned. New-boy Jonathan Woodgate will take the captain's armband off Boateng and in attack Yakubu is set to start as a lone striker, with Mark Viduka on the bench. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Walker, Al Habsi, Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Teimourian, Tal, Faye, Nolan, Giannakopoulos, Speed, Campo, Fortune, Vaz Te, Diouf, Anelka, Fojut, Smith. Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Davies, Taylor, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Cattermole, Rochemback, Euell, Morrison, Downing, Yakubu, Turnbull, Parnaby, Bates, Johnson, Viduka, Christie, Mendieta. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolton boss Sam Allardyce: \"Boro were 2-0 up at Reading and lost 3-2, then they go and beat Chelsea at home. \"Then they lose 4-0 at home to Portsmouth, then they get a magnificent draw away at Arsenal. \"So we hope they come with the sort of performance they gave against Portsmouth and Reading.\" Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate: \"We're good if we're totally committed in every game. That's the only way to get results in this league. \"There are no games in this league that you can coast through and expect to take the points.\"

Boro agree Woodgate fee with Real
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said the club has agreed a fee with Real Madrid for Jonathan Woodgate. The 26-year-old centre-half moved to Boro on a season-long loan in August with an option for a permanent deal. \"We have a fee agreed with Real Madrid. Now our job is to encourage him to stay with us,\" said Southgate. \"The fans have already shown how much they think of him. Now we have to prove we can give him what he wants and develop him as a player.\" Woodgate impressed as Boro earned a goalless draw at Bolton on Saturday. He has endured an injury-blighted spell with Real Madrid, playing just 13 games in his two-year spell. Southgate added: \"Jonathan has a presence that filters throught the side. \"I sensed his desire immediately. It is great to have someone come from the club he has and set the example he does. \"I know he was disappointed not to prove himself over there. But he is still as good a centre-back as any around.\" Woodgate admitted he was keeping an open mind on his future. \"I am definitely here for the year whatever happens and then we will see. Right now I don't know.\"

Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn
Shabani Nonda's first Premiership goal sealed three points for Blackburn against a disappointing Middlesbrough. Nonda - on a season-long loan from AS Roma - rose at the far post to head home David Bentley's cross after 27 minutes for the winner. Boro struggled to create any serious threat, although new signing Jason Euell missed two first-half chances. Yakubu shot narrowly wide after the break, but Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer also saved well from Brett Emerton. Middlesbrough recalled captain Jonathan Woodgate for his first appearance at the Riverside since he arrived on loan from Real Madrid. But as Middlesbrough attempted to regain momentum after their shock midweek Carling Cup exit at home to Notts County, Blackburn took the lead after 27 minutes. David Bentley's floated long cross to the far post was met by Nonda, who jumped to head powerfully past Boro keeper Schwarzer. New signing Euell then had two chance to restore equality, but was guilty of wasting both. He met Gaizka Mendieta's cross with a desperately tame header when unmarked, then steered Fabio Rochemback's through ball wide with only Brad Friedel to beat. Boro departed at half-time with the fury of their fans ringing in their ears - and manager Gareth Southgate responded with a bold double substitution. He sent on Lee Cattermole for Mendieta and introduced Mark Viduka for James Morrison. It was a move that had minimal effect, and Euell's afternoon of frustration continued when he was deservedly booked for a foul on Brett Emerton. Yakubu posed the first serious threat to Blackburn after the break with an angled shot from Yakubu that flew inches wide with Friedel beaten, Viduka just failing to add a vital touch. Boro had enjoyed plenty of territory and possession, but lacked a cutting edge, and when more good work from Yakubu created an opening, Viduka could only lift his finish high over the top. As the home side pressed, Blackburn almost broke forward to add a second, with Schwarzer diving low to his right to save well from fellow Australian international Emerton. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: \"We were lacking in passion in the first half. It is the first time I have had to question the attitude. \"The first-half display cost us the game. We made it comfortable for them, and they got one goal and could have been a couple ahead. \"The general trend of the game was that they had the upper hand.\" Blackburn manager Mark Hughes: \"I was delighted to see Shabani Nonda get his first goal. His movement and work ethic was a joy to behold. \"He's not as fit as he might be at the moment and the intensity of the football in the Premiership is different to what he is used to, but the way he applied himself caused Middlesbrough problems all day. \"I thought Andre Ooijer was really commanding and was excellent throughout. He gave us a real platform.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Davies (Johnson 83), Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Parnaby, Morrison (Viduka 45), Euell, Rochemback, Mendieta (Cattermole 45), Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Bates. Booked: Euell. Blackburn: Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Neill, Bentley, Savage, Tugay (Mokoena 76), Pedersen (Gray 90), McCarthy (Gallagher 85), Nonda. Subs Not Used: Brown, Peter. Booked: Tugay, McCarthy, Bentley. Goals: Nonda 27. Att: 24,959 Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Huth short on fitness - Southgate
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate says £6m centre-back Robert Huth is not ready for first-team action. Huth, 22, has recovered from an ankle injury and followed up a reserve outing by playing the full game in the defeat by Notts County in the Carling Cup. \"Robert is only really at the start of his pre-season,\" said Southgate, who signed Huth from Chelsea in the summer. \"But he still needs a couple more weeks of training and matches to be up to speed for the first team.\" Huth is set to play for the reserves against Manchester United on Wednesday as he builds up his fitness. \"He has had 60 minutes in the reserves and I did not really want him to play the full 90 against Notts County,\" said Southgate. \"He managed to get through, but he needs more work fitness-wise. \"Normally those matches would be behind closed doors in pre-season against a non-league side or a lower division team in a friendly. \"But I threw him into a competitive game and he will be far better for that.\"

Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough
United striker Steven Kabba could make his first start of the season after making a quicker than expected recovery from a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny (thigh) could also be back while striker Danny Webber (hamstring) is in light training but is short of match fitness. Middlesbrough captain George Boateng (knee) and winger Stewart Downing (groin) should both be fit to return. Malcolm Christie picked up an ankle injury in midweek and will not travel. Sheff Utd (from): Kenny, Bennett, Bromby, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Short, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Akinbiyi, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Kabba, Webber, Montgomery. Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Davies, Taylor, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Boateng, Rochemback, Parnaby, Downing, Viduka, Yakubu, Turnbull, Bates, Morrison, Mendieta, Euell, Maccarone. # Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock: \"Our players seem relaxed to me as if there's no pressure, so it will be interesting to see how we play against Middlesbrough. \"One positive is that it is currently very tight at the bottom of the table. \"It's a new situation for us all. It's no good me saying the players will cope because I don't know if they will.\" # Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz: \"We want to start strongly at Sheffield and play the game that we can play. \"We have trained harder this week than we have trained for some time. \"We have spoken about things we can improve on. We know what we have to do if we want to win games.\"

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