FA Cup replay Middlesbrough 2 Bristol City 2 (Middlebrough win 5-4 on penalties)The accusation labelled against the FA Cup this season is that it has lost its sheen: thanks to Bristol City and Mark Viduka it received a much-needed polish last night as Middleborough qualified for the fifth round despite Yakubu missing twice from the penalty spot.
The Cup could feel good about itself again as a skilful, tenacious display by a third-tier side missing seven regulars forced Middlesbrough, semi-finalists last season, into extra-time. Just when it seemed all over for City, their never-say-die attitude shone through again as Jamie McCombe hit an equaliser in the second period of extra-time to match Yakubu's strike in the first.
The two teams had drawn 2-2 in a pulsating original tie at Ashton Gate - City coming back from two goals down - and this replay was given more intrigue as soon as David Noble, the former Arsenal trainee, gave City a deserved lead.
Mark Viduka began the evening on the bench but the gifted Australian made a major difference as soon as he came on for the second half. In the 69th minute he scored his 10th goal of the season and Boro hit the woodwork twice after that.
Not only was Noble's finish cool - a side-footed shot that went off Schwarzer's arm as it sped in - the build-up play was calm, intelligent and creative. Malcolm Christie, the Boro striker given a rare start, had an unenviable role, chasing down the Bristol defenders as they eased the ball around. Then a short ball bypassed him and found Alex Russell in the centre circle. The 33-year-old Liverpudlian is renowned in lower divisions for his passing ability and he served up a reminder by finding Noble running in space between Seb Hines and Abel Xavier.
Booed off at half-time, Southgate reconstituted Boro with Viduka on for the toiling Christie and Andrew Davies for Hines. Viduka's presence and ability gave the hosts more attacking poise and his close-range header was all down to Downing's fine cross. The two extra-time goals sent the game into a dramatic penalty shoot-out and it was down to super-sub Adam Johnson to keep a cool head to clinch the fifth and decisive penalty.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer; Hines (Davies, half time), Xavier, Pogatetz, Taylor; Cattermole (Johnson, 68 mins), Rochemback, Boateng, Downing; Yakubu, Christie (Viduka, half time). Subs not used Jones, Euell.
BRISTOL CITY: Weale; Orr, McCombe, Keogh, Fontaine; Murray, Johnson, Russell, McAllister (Woodman, 43 mins); Noble (Myrie-Williams, 89 mins); Jevons. Subs not used: Thomas, Partridge, Artus.
Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire)
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