Middlesbrough

Portsmouth 1-0 Middlesbrough
Gary O'Neil's second-half strike proved enough for Portsmouth as Harry Redknapp's side lifted themselves out of the drop zone with a narrow victory. O'Neil stroked home his seventh of the season from 12 yards to extend the hosts' run to four wins in six games. It was no more than Pompey deserved, after earlier going close through Svetoslav Todorov and Sean Davis. Yakubu had missed Boro's best chances, before substitute David Wheater poked agonisingly wide in the dying seconds. Portsmouth received a blow before kick off with the news that in-form striker Lomana LuaLua had not recovered from the ankle injury he sustained celebrating his goal against Arsenal in midweek, meaning a rare start for Todorov. Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren, clearly with one eye on Boro's upcoming Uefa Cup and FA Cup semi-finals, rested Chris Riggott, Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, playing former Pompey striker Yakubu in a lone attacking role. And the Nigerian immediately made his presence felt when he chested down for Fabio Rochemback to fire over from distance in the game's first chance. However, the game failed to take off from there, with both sides struggling to work the ball into space. Portsmouth created the better chances in a dominant half-hour spell, O'Neil and Davis both having decent efforts blocked, before Todorov manoeuvred the ball well on the edge of the box only for his shot to deflect agonisingly wide off Matthew Bates. Stewart Downing had also had a low shot deflected into the side-netting as Boro upped the tempo late in the half, but each side created their best chance on the half on the stroke of half-time. Andres D'Alessandro, on his 25th birthday, was Pompey's creator, his 20-yard drive rebounding to Todorov, whose goal-bound effort from an angle was well saved by a scrambling Bradley Jones in the Boro goal. Yakubu then marched up the other end of the pitch to create Boro's best opportunity, strolling around Brian Priske and crashing a shot towards the corner which Dean Kiely did well to palm away to safety. Redknapp shuffled his pack at half-time, replacing Davis with the more attacking Wayne Routledge, but it was Middlesbrough that created the first chance of the half when Yakubu muscled his way into the box, only to be denied as he was about to pull the trigger by a last-ditch tackle by Linvoy Primus. However, the goal the game so badly needed arrived on 54 minutes, as Pompey took the lead. Benjani Mwaruwari was the creator, holding the ball up well from Matthew Taylor's throw down the line before turning inside to lay it off to O'Neil, who made no mistake with a fine side-footed finish from 12 yards. That fired the home side and they almost doubled their lead two minutes later when Routledge's header across goal was well saved by Jones with Todorov looming. McClaren responded by bringing Malcolm Christie on for a rare outing, and he almost rewarded his manager's faith after the hour mark when his low cross-shot was well saved by Kiely. O'Neil was later denied a second by Jones' smart save from his long-range drive, while Routledge also went close with a low drive, as Pompey's nerves just about held to keep their first clean sheet in 14 games and put themselves in pole position to avoid the drop. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp "It's a fantastic run that we've been on but it's still all to play for, it's still tight. "But we've given ourselves a great chance and when you look at our run it's incredible. Fourteen points from 18, unbelievable. "All we can do is keep going as we are and then we'll see at the end of the season." Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren "It was always going to be a scrap coming here and, once they got the goal, nothing we did seemed to be able to break them down. "We want to win every game and we are disappointed we didn't. We had the chances to do it but every now and then, games like today happen when it just doesn't happen for you. "But now we turn our attention to Monday's game and then a few massive cup fixtures for us next week." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portsmouth: Kiely, Priske, Primus, Stefanovic, Taylor, O'Neil, Pedro Mendes, Davis (Routledge 45), D'Alessandro, Mwaruwari (Karadas 67), Todorov (Hughes 78). Subs Not Used: Ashdown, O'Brien. Goals: O'Neil 54. Middlesbrough: Jones, Parnaby, Ehiogu, Bates (Wheater 85), Taylor, Morrison (Johnson 77), Rochemback, Doriva (Christie 59), Boateng, Downing, Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Knight, Kennedy. Att: 20,204 Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).

Middlesbrough v West Ham
Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren is ready to make changes as the club prepare for three games in seven days. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka may return but Bradley Jones stays in goal with Mark Schwarzer (foot) out. Anton Ferdinand (hip) is out for West Ham and is also a doubt for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final. Matthew Etherington (calf) is also doubtful but Jimmy Walker could keep his place in goal after an impressive display against Manchester City. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough (from): Jones Parnaby, Ehiogu, Bates, Davies, Southgate, Taylor, Queudrue, Rochemback, Doriva, Kennedy, Johnson, Morrison, Downing, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Yakubu, Cattermole, Christie, Morrison, Wheater, Knight. West Ham (from): Hislop, Scaloni, Gabbidon, Collins, Konchesky, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Etherington, Ashton, Harewood, Walker, Scaloni, Fletcher, Sheringham, Zamora, Katan, Clarke, Ward, Newton.

Middlesbrough 2-0 West Ham
Goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Massimo Maccarone helped Middlesbrough sink West Ham in a dress rehearsal of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final. Only a superb point-blank save from Mark Schwarzer stopped Marlon Harewood giving the Hammers an early lead. But Hasselbaink's precise finish put Boro ahead and Maccarone added a second from the penalty spot after Shaun Newton pushed Adam Johnson in the area. Dean Ashton missed West Ham's best chance when he fired over late on. This was the first of three games in seven days for Boro - they also face Steaua Bucharest in the first leg of their Uefa Cup semi-final on Thursday - and boss Steve McClaren was looking to keep his players as fresh as possible. He made nine changes from the side that lost 1-0 at Portsmouth on Saturday with only Matthew Bates and Doriva retaining their places. Unsurprisingly Boro took time to settle, and the Hammers should have been ahead in the first five minutes. David Wheater mis-kicked Yaniv Katan's cross and the ball fell nicely for Harewood inside the area - only for Schwarzer to produce a magnificent reflex save. Boro remained on the back foot for much of the first 20 minutes before they slowly began to find their way into the game. The home side's first effort came from Doriva who fired over the bar from the edge of the area before Franck Queudrue smashed his shot wide when Hasselbaink's header unlocked the West Ham defence. Queudrue turned provider for Boro's next chance when he set Hasselbaink free but Shaka Hislop did well to block his shot and then recover to smother the loose ball. West Ham were still enjoying most of the possession but could not create any meaningful chances themselves - while Boro continued to threaten. And it was the home side who opened the scoring before half-time when Bates made headway down the right and pulled the ball back for Hasselbaink to bury his first-time shot into the net for his 17th goal of the season. That was harsh on the visitors and they responded well with a spell of sustained pressure straight after the interval. But they found themselves further behind on 57 minutes when Newton was adjudged to have nudged Johnson in the area by referee Martin Atkinson. Maccarone stepped up to take the spot-kick and although Hislop dived the right way he could not keep the ball out of the net. Hammers boss Alan Pardew introduced Bobby Zamora and Ashton to try to add more bite to his side's attack but despite their best efforts the Hammers could not reduce the deficit. Sheringham should have done better when he met Ashton's cross at the near post but berated himself after sending his header flashing wide. And Ashton was also left kicking himself before the end when he skied his close-range shot high over the bar with the goal at his mercy. In the end it was a comfortable win for Boro but it is unlikely to have much bearing on the outcome when the sides meet each other at Villa Park on 23 April. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren: "This has no bearing on the semi-final - that will be a completely different game. "We have a big week coming up but the standard of performance in this game had to be the same. "We have to find ways to win games like this and we did that - which keeps our momentum going." West Ham boss Alan Pardew: "Both teams were a bit tentative. The first goal was always going to be important and unfortunately we didn't get it. "We made chances but never looked like getting something. It was just one of those days that got away from us. "We are going to have to give a better account of ourselves in the FA Cup semi-final than we did here." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Bates, Riggott, Wheater, Queudrue, Maccarone, Doriva, Parlour, Johnson (Taylor 76), Hasselbaink (Kennedy 72), Viduka (Christie 45). Subs Not Used: Knight, Parnaby. Goals: Hasselbaink 41, Maccarone 57 pen. West Ham: Hislop, Konchesky, Gabbidon, Collins, Scaloni (Fletcher 66), Newton, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Katan (Zamora 66), Sheringham, Harewood (Ashton 66). Subs Not Used: Walker, Reid. Booked: Sheringham. Att: 27,658 Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Middlesbro v West Ham
Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate (ankle) is a major doubt for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with West Ham. Striker Mark Viduka (thigh) is also a worry but Chris Riggott could return after being suspended for Thursday's Uefa Cup defeat to Steaua Bucharest. West Ham have rested key players in the build up in their quest to reach their first FA Cup final in 26 years. But they will be at full strength with Anton Ferdinand and Danny Gabbidon both recovering from hip and groin injuries.

McClaren admits Boro were lucky
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was relieved his side escaped with a 1-0 loss after the first leg of their Uefa Cup semi-final at Steaua Bucharest. Steaua had chances to add to Nicolae Dica's goal but were mainly denied by stubborn Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer. "We're delighted. The first half was very good, but in the second half we made mistakes," said McClaren. "It could have been worse, 2-0 or 3-0, and it would have been impossible to come back." Boro were missing influential captain Gareth Southgate for the game as well as striker Mark Viduka. Both are hopeful to be back for the second leg on 27 April when McClaren expects a much-improved performance from his side. He added: "Next week it will be a completely different game. We know we can play better." Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu was disappointed his team did not press home their advantage with more goals. "I have a bitter taste after this victory," said Olaroiu.

Southgate says McClaren not ready
Middlesbrough skipper Gareth Southgate says his club manager Steve McClaren is not yet ready for the England job. Southgate, who won 57 caps for England, does not believe that any of the English bosses in the frame - including McClaren - have enough experience. "If you had them four years on you would have the ideal scenario," he said in the Sunday Times. "They would all have had much more experience and would probably have worked at bigger clubs." McClaren is thought to be the favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach after the World Cup finals. Bolton's Sam Allardyce and Charlton's Alan Curbishley are the other English names widely reported to have been interviewed for the position. Former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scholari are the other coaches believed to be on the FA's shortlist. Southgate suggested that if the job is given to the likes of McClaren, Allardyce, Curbishley or O'Neill then the FA should appoint a more experienced man to act as a mentor. He added: "It's a really difficult decision. It should be much easier next time with this group of young managers coming through. "I'm not sure that they are ready now. "My heart tells me it should be an Englishman but if you ask me who I think would be the best I would have Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. "He would be absolutely brilliant and I would love to see England play the way Arsenal do. That would be the ultimate. "Terry Venables is the best coach I've ever worked with. He has been ahead of everything and everyone and I don't understand why he's not still involved at the highest level. "He should act as a mentor to whoever gets the job now, the way Bobby Robson is doing for the Irish." McClaren, who has been part of the England coaching set-up for the majority of Eriksson's time in charge, was the assistant coach during a hugely successful time at Manchester United, including the winning of the Treble in 1999. He led Middlesbrough to their first domestic trophy in 2004 when they won the League Cup and has taken them to the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup and FA Cup this season. McClaren has led the club to Premiership safety this season after a dip in from that led to them going nine Premiership games without a win - including a 7-0 defeat by Arsenal - that led to some fans calling for his head. But Southgate, who will miss Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against West Ham because of injury, suggests that it was Boro's senior players who sparked the turnaround in fortunes. He said: "There was a lot that had to be sorted out at that time and it was the dressing room, as much as the manager, that put things right. "The manager was under pressure and the dressing room had to take the responsibility to pull things around. "There was so much going on behind the scenes then. The chairman deserves a lot of credit because at that point it looked as if good players were going and he put a block on that. "We would have lost Mark Schwarzer, Ugo Ehiogu and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink but for him and they have all played significant parts in our revival. "The manager wanted to bring in new blood and was prepared to sell those three to do it." Southgate said McClaren's strengths are his organisational skills. He said: "He is a very organised guy. The number of meetings we, the team, have and the coaching staff have is a standing joke among the players. "Seriously, he wants to be well-prepared, he wants input from his staff and he seeks opinions."

Middlesbrough 0-1 West Ham
West Ham striker Marlon Harewood's emphatic winner booked his side's place in the FA Cup final against Liverpool at the expense of Middlesbrough. Harewood gathered Dean Ashton's 78th minute knock-down and held off defender Gareth Southgate before powering an angled drive into the roof of the net. Franck Queudrue had a free-kick punched away as Boro tried to respond. Chris Riggott had an excellent late chance but scuffed a shot wide as an edgy West Ham held on. There was supposed to be a minute's silence before the game after the death of ex-West ham boss John Lyall earlier in the week but some Hammers fans decided to start singing and the tribute appeared to be cut short. When the match started, Boro burst out of the blocks and continually had the Upton Park side back-pedalling. The Teessiders made light of having three days less than their rivals to prepare for the game as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had a blocked header sandwiched in between two Fabio Rochemback shots. Schwarzer had to go off injured after this Ashton challenge Their was plenty of promise to Boro's build-up play but they were let down by the poor touch of their strikers Hasselbaink and Yakubu as moves broke down in the final third. West Ham seemed to have gradually worked their way into the match only for their rivals to quickly regain control. And manager Steve McClaren's Boro will have been disappointed not to take the lead when Queudrue met an inswinging Stewart Downing corner eight yards out but headed over. The Riverside club suffered the blow of keeper Mark Schwarzer being forced off because of injury but, despite a Yossi Benayoun strike going over, dominated the first half. West Ham improved after the break and put Boro under pressure with Dean Ahston going close when he headed a corner on to the top of the crossbar from six yards out. McClaren's side had chances on the counter-attack but the delivery from playmaker Rochemback let them down. Hammers skipper Nigel Reo-Coker flashed an angled 25-yard strike agonisingly wide as the intensity of the match increased with the London side looking the more likely to score. And they duly did so when Harewood thundered in his shot after Ashton headed down Anton Ferdinand's long ball. West Ham boss Alan Pardew scored a winner against Liverpool at Villa Park to send Crystal Palace into the FA Cup final in 1990 and his side held on to secure a place in Cardiff for this season's 13 May showpiece. The victory also assured the Hammers of a place in next season's Uefa Cup.

Schwarzer's campaign may be over
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren said keeper Mark Schwarzer may miss the rest of the season after suffering a suspected fractured cheekbone. Schwarzer suffered the injury in an aerial challenge with Hammers striker Dean Ashton during the 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat by West Ham. "It's a suspected fractured cheekbone and that would rule him out for the rest of the season," said McClaren. "However, we will assess the situation in the morning." Schwarzer, who was taken off in the first half and replaced by Brad Jones, is likely to miss Boro's Uefa Cup semi-final, second leg against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday. If the cheek is broken it will make the Australian international a doubt for the World Cup finals in Germany. Boro's hopes of a place in the FA Cup final were ended by Marlon Harewood's 78th-minute strike. McClaren felt his side were made to pay for failing to take advantage of their dominance in the opening 45 minutes. He added: "There was not much in the game. The first goal is always important, we had enough opportunities in the first half but West Ham took their chance - it wasn't our day. "In the first half we dictated the tempo but we needed to take our chance. "I can't fault the players for their character and the way they carried on for 95 minutes. "It wasn't to be. Sometimes your name is on the Cup, sometimes it is not." McClaren will now have to raise his players ahead of the Uefa Cup tie at The Riverside. He added: "There's nothing I can say or do that will cheer up anyone in that dressing room or the staff over the next 24 hours. "But we need to make sure that on Tuesday we get back to work and we don't feel the same on Thursday."

Schwarzer out for rest of season
Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer is set to miss the rest of the season after fracturing his cheekbone. The 33-year-old Australian was injured during Sunday's 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of West Ham. Schwarzer was hurt in an aerial clash with Hammers striker Dean Ashton just before half-time and he will undergo corrective surgery on Monday. "Mark is set to miss the rest of Boro's season but should be OK for the World Cup," said a Middlesbrough spokesman. Schwarzer, who is key to Australia's hopes of success at the World Cup in Germany, could be back in light training wearing a protective mask in two weeks. In the meantime, Boro have recalled fellow keeper Ross Turnbull from his loan spell at Championship side Crewe. Boro's hopes of a place in the FA Cup final were ended by Marlon Harewood's 78th-minute strike at Villa Park. Manager Steve McClaren felt his side were made to pay for failing to take advantage of their dominance in the opening 45 minutes. He added: "There was not much in the game. The first goal is always important, we had enough opportunities in the first half but West Ham took their chance - it wasn't our day. "In the first half we dictated the tempo but we needed to take our chance. "I can't fault the players for their character and the way they carried on for 95 minutes. "It wasn't to be. Sometimes your name is on the Cup, sometimes it is not." McClaren will now have to raise his players ahead of the Uefa Cup tie at The Riverside. He added: "There's nothing I can say or do that will cheer up anyone in that dressing room or the staff over the next 24 hours. "But we need to make sure that on Tuesday we get back to work and we don't feel the same on Thursday."

Middlesbrough v Steaua B
Mark Viduka is set to return to the Middlesbrough line-up after recovering from a thigh injury. But first-leg hero Mark Schwarzer is out with a broken cheekbone so stand-in goalkeeper Brad Jones takes his place. Gareth Southgate and Chris Riggott both missed the first leg because of an ankle injury to Southgate and a ban for Riggott, but both return to the side. Victoras Iacob and Florin Lovin should replace suspended Steaua midfielders Banel Nicolita and Sorin Paraschiv. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough (from): Jones, Turnbull, Knight, Parnaby, Bates, Queudrue, Taylor, Southgate, Riggott, Ehiogu, Wheater, Morrison, Doriva, Boateng, Rochemback, Cattermole, Parlour, Downing, Johnson, Kennedy, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone, Yakubu, Christie

McClaren wants to rewrite history
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren says his side are on the brink of history as they prepare to meet Steaua Bucharest in the Uefa Cup semi-final, second leg. Boro are 1-0 down ahead of Thursday's encounter at The Riverside Stadium. "We know we can do it, we are on the brink of something special that will rewrite our history," said McClaren. "We all must do everything in our power to make the final. Losing the FA Cup semi to West Ham was disappointing but now we have a second chance." He added: " I can see a determination, a hurt amongst the players. "One chance has gone - we can't believe how that happened because we played well on the day and did enough to win - but it happened. "But not many players get that second chance and they know they have got to take it. "The players know what it feels like and how much it hurts to lose a semi-final. They don't want to feel that again and nor do I." Steaua Bucharest coach Cosmin Olaroiu insisted that his side would not sit back on their one-goal advantage. He said: "We're not going to Middlesbrough to defend the 1-0 advantage from the first match. "It's important that we score. Anyway, the pressure will be greater for them. "My defenders are good enough to not concede a goal in Middlesbrough so my strikers have to do their job because they have their backs covered. "I'm the coach who always plays to win but a 0-0 would give me the happiest day of my life."

M'brough 4-2 S B'chrst (agg 4-3)
Massimo Maccarone's 89th-minute goal put Middlesbrough in the Uefa Cup final after another astonishing comeback. Steaua Bucharest led 1-0 from the first leg and extended their lead early on through Nicolae Dica and Dorin Goian. As in the previous round against Basle, Boro were left needing four goals to win but Maccarone's angled drive and Mark Viduka's header gave them hope. Chris Riggott scrambled home a third before Maccarone's header clinched a place in the final against Sevilla. Boro had lost to West Ham in the semi-final of the FA Cup on Sunday - and looked set for more cup heartache here after a terrible start. After 16 minutes Petre Marin was given space to cut inside from the left before firing in a bouncing shot that Brad Jones could only parry - and the rebound fell to Dica, who composed himself before slotting home. Things got worse for Boro on 25 minutes when Goian's header was saved by Jones but Stuart Parnaby's attempted clearance fell for the Romanian defender who buried his shot into the back of the net. That left Boro a mountain to climb but Maccarone, an early replacement for the injured Gareth Southgate, gave them hope when he latched on to Viduka's fine pass and found the bottom corner of the net. Further chances followed for Viduka and Andrew Taylor before half-time as the home side poured forward. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink almost turned in Maccarone's cross after the restart as McClaren's men continued to dominate. Steaua were struggling to get out of their own half by this point but held out until 62 minutes when Viduka rose to head home Stewart Downing's cross. Eight minutes later Boro were level on aggregate when Alberto Carlos pushed Downing's shot into the path of Riggott, who bundled it over the line. Boro were left with 18 minutes to find a winner - and were almost out of time when Maccarone nodded in another Downing cross at the back post to clinch a remarkable win. Steve McClaren's men will face Spanish side Sevilla in the final in Eindhoven on 10 May - their first European final. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough: Jones, Riggott, Southgate (Maccarone 26), Queudrue, Parnaby, Rochemback, Boateng, Downing, Taylor (Yakubu 55), Hasselbaink (Ehiogu 90), Viduka. Subs Not Used: Knight, Bates, Cattermole, Parlour. Booked: Boateng, Hasselbaink. Goals: Maccarone 33, Viduka 64, Riggott 73, Maccarone 89. Steaua Bucharest: Carlos, Ogararu, Ghionea, Goian, Marin, Oprita (Baciu 81), Radoi, Lovin, Bostina (Nesu 86), Dica, Iacob (Balan 65). Subs Not Used: Cernea, Simion, Cristocea, Cristea. Booked: Dica, Lovin, Balan. Goals: Dica 16, Goian 24. Agg: (4-3) Att: 34,622 Referee: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia)

Middlesbrough v Everton
Middlesbrough return to Premiership action after their Uefa Cup heroics and have doubts surrounding three players. Skipper Gareth Southgate and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have hamstring injuries, while Mark Viduka aggravated a thigh problem in Thursday's victory. Everton look set to field Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane at The Riverside as Tim Cahill is sidelined. Mikel Arteta, Nuno Valente, Lee Carsley, Tony Hibbert and Nigel Martyn are also all unavailable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton boss David Moyes: "The job is to raise expectations and I wanted to finish fourth like last season. But unless you have big money that is not going to happen regularly. "We have had an up and down season. We started poorly, had a good middle and the last four to five weeks have been disappointing. "We wanted to finish well and if we can get six points from the final matches that will make things a lot rosier. However we still feel we have not achieved what we set out to do."

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