Middlesbrough moved to within five points of leaders Nottingham Forest in the
First Division promotion race and condemned Manchester City to further strife as
their battle to stave off relegation took another major body blow.
In an explosive encounter it was a fine close range effort from former
Stockport striker Alun Armstrong in the 43rd minute which gave the home side
victory and second place in the table.
But Bryan Robson's men had to last the whole second half with ten men after
Steve Vickers, their vastly experienced central defender, was sent off for an
apparent headbutt on Lee Bradbury three minutes into first half injury time.
The game began, as it was to continue, in a niggly manner, with home star Paul
Gascoigne committing a foul within 13 seconds of the start.
Fouls were then exchanged thick and fast between the England midfielder and
former Middlesbrough favourite Jamie Pollock before the game had time to settle
down.
There followed two first half flare ups involving many players from either
side.
Gascoigne did show moments of skill throughout the opening 45 minutes, one
move involving him ended with Robbie Mustoe forcing a brilliant stop from Martyn
Margetson in the City goal, but too much of the game was spoilt by undisciplined
play.
Within 16 minutes Marco Branca was out of the game after picking up a foot
injury. His replacement, Colombian striker Hamilton Ricard, certainly got
involved, although on two occasions he blocked goalbound efforts from teammates
Paul Merson and Mustoe.
The Middlesbrough opener arrived two minutes before the break after Gascoigne
had two efforts blocked with his final shot running to Armstrong who fired home
from close range.
As the sides left the field at the interval both sets of players had to be
restrained after another flare up.
Robson replaced a forward, Ricard, with an experienced defender Clayton
Blackmore at the break.
The visitors began the second half encouraged by Boro reduction to ten men as
the game continued to be littered by unnecessary fouls - the tension remained at
boiling point as the stakes remained so high for both sides.
The second period began disappointingly with too much emphasis being
concentrated on unfinished vendettas and the game became bogged down in the
midfield areas.
Eleven minutes after the break Boro boss Robson replaced the tiring Gascoigne
with the free running Craig Hignett and as the former Rangers star walked off
with his head bowed he looked anything but happy with his manager's decision.
After early fire from City the home side gradually regained the upper hand
with Merson placing a fine cross on the head of Neil Maddison in the 65th minute
only for the defender to place his clear opportunity a yard wide.
Boro's Blackmore was booked late on as the home side endured a nervy last 15
minutes, but in the end they deserved their win.
Teams
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Maddison, Fleming, Vickers, Festa,
Townsend, Mustoe, Gascoigne (Hignett 57), Branca (Ricard 16),
Merson, Armstrong, Ricard (Blackmore 45).
Sent Off: Vickers (45).
Booked: Fleming, Townsend, Blackmore.
Goals: Armstrong 43.
Man City: Margetson, Edghill, Horlock, Jeff Whitley (Rosler 45),
Symons, Vaughan, Jim Whitley, Pollock, Goater,
Brown (Brannan 81), Bradbury, Rosler (Bishop 54).
Booked: Pollock, Brown.
Att: 30,182
Ref: A G Wiley (Burntwood).
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