Middlesbrough 1 Derby County: Tuncay eases Boro's relegation anxieties

Thomas Keppell
Sunday 23 March 2008 21:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

"It reminded me of Austria", said the Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz in his assessment of a crucial success. It is presumed he was referring to the weather (sporadic snow showers), but he could have been describing the quality of football (sporadic passes to feet), since Austria have failed to beat Tunisia, Japan and even England in the past six months.

"Cold, wet and miserable", was how the Middlesbrough manager, Gareth Southgate, described the entertainment, but he could console himself with the knowledge that Tuncay Sanli's first-half winner had taken his side eight points clear of the relegation zone.

There was no such succour for the Derby manager, Paul Jewell, whose side now look unlikely to surpass Sunderland's record of picking up just 15 points in an entire Premier League season. Whether he remains around to find out if they can do is doubtful after newspaper revelations yesterday about his private life.

Derby are stuck on 10 points and, with games against Everton and Arsenal still to come, it would be a brave man who bet on them claiming a further five in their final seven matches – especially if their attacking hopes continue to reside in the hands of Robert Earnshaw. Presented with a golden chance for an 85th-minute equaliser at the Riverside, the Wales international directed a four-yard header wide. It was the kind of miss that makes even the most positive of managers despair.

"I may crack jokes, but I'm no comedian," said Jewell, who has now seen his side claim just four points from 17 matches since he replaced Billy Davies last November. "I will not be cracking open any Easter eggs; I'm more likely to be cracking my head open against the kitchen sink."

Middlesbrough fans could have been forgiven for doing likewise after their side went into their shell during a soporific second half, but the three points secured by Tuncay's 32nd-minute strike, a low shot after he cut in from the left, were more important than the level of entertainment.

Goal: Tuncay (32) 1-0.

Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Young (Shawky, 65), Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor; O'Neil, Boateng, Cattermole, Downing; Aliadière (Alves, 86), Tuncay (Johnson, 86). Substitutes not used: Turnbull, Grounds.

Derby (4-4-2): Carroll; Todd, Leacock, Moore, McEveley; Sterjovski (Villa, 39), Savage (Ghaly, 62), Jones (Pearson, 62), Lewis; Earnshaw, Miller. Substitutes not used: Price, Robert.

Booked: Middlesbrough Cattermole, Tuncay; Derby Savage.

Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Cattermole.

Attendance: 25,649.

For Capello's notebook

David Wheater The Boro defender, who was cut from the squad on Saturday, was given few chances to show if he is international class until Derby's late revival showcased his solid, uncomplicated style.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in