Source: SKY_Sports
Boro v Sheff Utd live!
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} 92 It's all over at the Riverside and the season opener ends in a goalless draw. Boro will feel they had the better of it while Sheff Utd just edged the chances, but a draw looks a fair result in the end.[LNB]91 Cotterill puts in a dangerous cross from the right and Boro escape a potentially disastrous ricochet in the box.[LNB]90 There's two minutes of time added on.[LNB]88 Yeates swings in a cross from the left flank as Boro break away, but Morgan heads away strongly.[LNB]86 The game looks certain to end in a draw, with neither side able to make much headway as things stand.[LNB]81 Lita makes a burst into the area but he goes down between two defenders and has to call the physio on.[LNB]74 Quinn fires off a terrible shot from the edge of the area. He can do a lot better than that.[LNB]72 There's some aggression as Montgomery powers into a tackle with O'Neil. The frustration is starting to show as both sides have strugged to really create any clear-cut chances.[LNB]68 Another substitution and another debutant - Ched Evans comes on for Brian Howard as Kevin Blackwell doubles up in attack.[LNB]68 A deep Middlesbrough free kick is easily cleared after going over Lita's head.[LNB]65 With no breakthrough as yet, the disappointing Emnes makes way for debutant Leroy Lita. Can he make the difference?[LNB]64 Boro nearly catch a break in the penalty area but Yeates is rightly penalised for a high boot that catches Montgomery.[LNB]63 The Blades are making a change - Keith Treacy is coming off for David Cotterill.[LNB]61 Kilgallon risks giving away a penalty with a push on Aliadiere, but Lee Mason shows no interest.[LNB]57 Johnson causes more problems down the left and Montgomery has to head the cross behind. Boro fail to make anything of the corner.[LNB]55 Yeates plays an excellent ball over the top for Emnes, but he's unable to get the better of Kilgallon. Shortly afterwards, Williams drags a shot wide.[LNB]53 Sheff Utd go the long route to Henderson again, and this time Brian Howard gets the shot away from the lay off. He's not troubling Coyne, though.[LNB]51 Adam Johnson breaks into the area after a superb piece of control and there's a big shout for a penalty as Kyle Walker just gets a toe onto the ball. In the aftermath, Yeates fires a speculative effort just over.[LNB]50 It's a yellow card for Rhys Williams - the first of the match.[LNB]46 The second half is underway![LNB] Barry from Belfast is doing a great job of advertising our services: "Great service you're providing. Just got the app for my iPhone and it's easily the best out there. Scores and info for anything and everything footy related. Keep up the great work. Ps. We'll beat the celts easily in the playoffs. Come on the Arsenal!!"[LNB] Boro 6/4[LNB]Draw 11/8[LNB]Sheff Utd 5/2The pre match money for Middlesbrough continued throughout the first half, a goal for them would be a terrible result for SkyBet. Despite the lack of goals in the first half people have been keen to back goals in the game. Over 1.5 Goals (6/4) and 2-3 Goals (7/4) have been very popular during the opening 45 minutes.[LNB]46 It's half-time at the Riverside and, although we haven't had any goals, we've had some good entertainment. Gareth Southgate will have taken some encouragement from his side's domination, but Kevin Blackwell's men have had the better opportunities.[LNB]45 We have one minute of added time.[LNB]42 Bad news for Boro as Didier Digard has to be withdrawn with what appears to be a groin injury. Gary O'Neil - who is due to have a hernia operation - takes his place.[LNB]41 Walker makes a fine last-ditch header to deal with a flick-on from Aliadiere. Boro are cranking up the pressure again - but they still need to get some shots in on goal.[LNB]40 Adam Johnson shows some skills to get to the byline but his cross is disappointing.[LNB]39 Boro get a free kick in a good position but Bunn punches clear as the cross comes in.[LNB]36 The visitors nearly make a breakthrough as the ball comes through to Ryan France wide of the goal and, turning it back across the face, it needs a header from big Robert Huth to steer it clear of danger.[LNB]33 The Blades break away again and Quinn fires a fierce shot at Coyne from a tight angle. A simple enough - if spectacular-looking - save in the end, but another warning for Boro.[LNB]29 It's still all Boro, but they're still not making Bunn work.[LNB]26 Boro start to apply some heavy pressure with Yeates swinging some balls into the area. At the end, Wheater heads over tamely from a corner.[LNB]23 Morgan plays a backpass to Bunn under pressure and it had disaster written all over it, but in the end there's no problem. Mark Yeates then fires a shot that looks bound for the corner but Bunn makes a stretching save.[LNB]20 Coyne is tested again from a corner as the ball loops dangerously in front of his goal, but he gets the punch away and Boro survive.[LNB]17 The game's getting quite scrappy now, even if the players are still trying to keep the tempo high. Boro are trying to unlock the Blades' defence right now while the visitors try to catch them with a more direct style on the break.[LNB]13 Bunn fires a long ball up for Henderson and Quinn gets a shot in, but he can't get the power or the direction to trouble Coyne.[LNB]12 Boro are putting in some full-blooded challenges and ref Lee Mason has a quick word with Wheater to calm things down a little.[LNB]10 The match is starting to calm down slightly after a frantic opening.[LNB]7 Some sloppy play from Walker allows Emnes to charge down the goalkeeper, but Bunn is able to clear.[LNB]6 Boro are continuing to attack and Aliadiere is starting to get energetic up front.[LNB]4 Didier Digard fires a pass over for Adam Johnson to race free and he wins a corner. It comes to nothing, though.[LNB]2 Sheff Utd cause more problems with a header from a corner as Boro struggle to stay level. Apologies for the delays we're experiencing with updates on this commentary - hopefully it will be sorted sooner rather than later.[LNB]2 Keith Treacy fires in a shot for Danny Coyne to beat away and The Blades nearly have an early lead![LNB]1 Sheffield United get the game underway![LNB] There's a passionate tribute for the late, great Bobby Robson at the Riverside right now as we gear up for the kick off.[LNB] Steve I'Anson is another Boro fan in North America and, as it's coming up to 3pm in Ontario, he is "trying to follow the game from work. Boro have started with guys who have been a hit at Championship clubs. Grounds, McMahon and Williams have all enjoyed success and hopefully that translates into success for the Boro. Huth and Wheater won't shy away from the physical stuff. I just hope there's goals for a change. Up the Boro."[LNB] Turns out Doug's a (Glasgow) Rangers fan. "Will someone allow us to play in the Premiership please?"[LNB] Kieran from Banbury is excited about the new season but not this evening: "Personally I believe it is going to be a bore draw and both teams will cancel each other out. I am a Macclesfield fan and a season ticket holder and i believe it is our season to go up."[LNB] Boro 13/10[LNB]Draw 11/5[LNB]Sheff Utd 9/4All the money today has been for Middlesbrough so at Skybet we're hoping the Blades can grab a result and get us off to a good start this season. Following the team news Aliadiere (13/2) and Emnes (13/2) have seen plenty of support, while Henderson (8/1) playing as a lone striker has also been a popular choice.[LNB] Doug Molyneux (Wolves fan?) has pointed out an early error - we are of course awaiting the 2009/10 season.[LNB] Olly from Cambridge sounds like another non-Boro-based Boro fan: "I think it's time that the likes of Emnes and Adam Johnson show their pace and skill along with solid performances from Wheater and Huth at the back, I'm also intrested to see how the new look team players like Williams, Yeates and Coyne fair tonight. Hopefully it's an attack minded squad to kick off the season with a bang!"[LNB] Bob Baker from Austin, Texas, has been in touch, but he doesn't sound like a Texan: "The Boro need to make a good start, and lead the League at the end of the night. Howay the Boro - lets get amongst 'em." Keep your comments coming in throughout the match on robin.hackett@bskyb.com.[LNB] The teams are in below and we're now 30 minutes away from the start of the 2008/09 season. You can watch all the action live on Sky Sports 1 or stick with us here on for regular updates as it unfolds.[LNB]Boro: Coyne, Yeates, Digard, Aliadiere, Emnes, Huth, Johnson, Grounds, Williams, McMahon, Wheater. Subs: Hoyte, Taylor, Lita, O'Neil, Arca, Franks, Steele.Sheff Utd: Bunn, France, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Taylor, Howard, Treacy, Quinn, Walker. Subs: Evans, Reid, Cotterill, Bennett, Bromby, Sharp, Little.[LNB] Middlesbrough 13/10 Draw 11/5 Sheff Utd 9/4[LNB] Live updates will appear here from 2000 BST...[LNB]
