How ironic that an England legend could be brought down by a former
supermarket shelf stacker.
But that could be Bryan Robson's fate after 20-year-old Malcolm Christie
scored twice in Derby's 4-1 win at the Riverside Stadium to spark a chorus of
'We want Robson out' from the home crowd.
Christie, who signed from Nuneaton Borough in late 1998 for just £50,000,
simply tore apart Robson's multi-million side with exhilarating pace and
well-taken goals.
Deon Burton and Craig Burley each grabbed a strike but the day belonged to
Christie.
The youngster earned a standing ovation from the travelling fans when he was
replaced by Jim Smith for Georgi Kinkladze which contrasted greatly with the
treatment Robson received.
The quality of Middlesbrough's performance was set minutes into the game when
Robbie Mustoe almost gifted Darryl Powell an early chance.
Indeed the only warmth offered to the Riverside supporters was provided by
Alun Armstrong but he could only release a poor cross with Curtis Fleming
waiting expectantly in the box.
From there, the Rams totally dominated the first 45 minutes and Christie's
goal was a thoroughly deserved one.
A Seth Johnson corner was flicked on at the near post by Burton and the
20-year-old was waiting in the centre of the six-yard area before stooping to
head the Rams into the lead.
Johnson provoked Ince into a 'spirited' defence of himself when he clattered
the England international but the former Crewe earned a caution for the offence
from referee Mark Halsey.
And only the timely intervention of Pallister denied Christie a second goal
after 19 minutes when the youngster looked set for a run on goal.
Middlesbrough were looking nothing like the side which cruised to a 3-1 win at
Pride Park last August and Pallister's 30-yard free-kick which blazed over
Poom's crossbar, was their only worthwhile effort of the period.
But Burton was guilty of missing one of the easiest chances he will ever have
after Craig Burley found Johnson lurking unmarked on the left hand edge of the
box.
The former Crewe midfielder forced Mark Schwarzer into a great save against
the post. But the horror in the crowd turned to laughter as Burton blazed over
from just six yards with the rebound.
Captain Powell might have offered a comforting shoulder but instead, seconds
later, the midfielder suffered his own very public red face. Christie deceived
Pallister with his pace on the right and put a ball into Powell, who also
managed to miss the target from close range.
Schwarzer became a hero two minutes from the break when he brilliantly denied
Rory Delap who had been left with a clear chance on goal by Middlesbrough's
disjointed defence.
Robson knew that immediate action was needed at half-time and swapped
Armstrong and Stockdale for Neil Maddison and Andy Campbell respectively.
But even the double switch could not prevent Derby scoring a second goal two
minutes after the break.
Johnson drove goalwards but a fortunate deflection took the ball into the path
of Christie. The youngster's shot was blocked but the ball looped over to Burton
who hooked it home with his back to goal for only his third of the season.
Fleming revealed the home side's frustration when he pulled at Burley's shirt
to earn a caution.
Derby appeared to have battened down the hatches but with little ammunition
coming their way, there really was no need as Christie proved on the hour when
he killed the game thanks to an awful Schwarzer error.
The Middlesbrough goalkeeper collected a back pass at his feet outside his
area and attempted to sidefoot clear. But the ball hit Christie who gratefully
moved through on goal to tuck the ball away from an acute angle.
The third goal prompted chants of 'We want Robson out' from the home crowd
indicating a possible end to the manager's five and a half year reign on
Teesside.
Ricard missed a penalty after 62 minutes after Campbell had been brought down
by Carbonari and Poom saved low to his right.
Campbell brought some cheer to the home crowd after 70 minutes when scored
from close range.
The goal sparked Middlesbrough into some life but it was to no avail and
Kinkladze broke clear in the final minute before laying the ball off to Burley
who compounded Robson's agony with a powerful drive drive beyond Schwarzer.
Teams
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Stockdale (Maddison 46), Festa,
Pallister, Vickers, Fleming, Mustoe, Ince, Juninho, Ricard,
Armstrong (Campbell 46).
Subs Not Used: Gascoigne, Beresford, Marinelli.
Goals: Campbell 71.
Derby: Poom, Schnoor, Carbonari, Elliott, Delap, Burley,
Powell, Bohinen (Nimni 60), Johnson, Christie (Kinkladze 76),
Burton.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Boertien, Robinson.
Booked: Johnson, Carbonari, Powell.
Goals: Christie 8, Burton 47, Christie 59, Burley 90.
Att: 32,745
Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).
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