Source: Daily_Mail
Cardiff 0 Middlesbrough 3: Bluebirds blow their promotion chance
Dave Jones called his team's humiliating loss to Middlesbrough 'a big kick in the teeth'. But it was worse than that. [LNB]It ended Cardiff's hopes of securing the second automatic promotion spot and forced their boss to fend off accusations that his side, who lost in the Championship play-off final last year to Blackpool, are chokers. Not that Jones was in any mood for excuses. [LNB]Knowing a win would keep up the pressure on second-placed Norwich City, who kicked off having seen the Cardiff result, the Welsh side found themselves three down inside 21 minutes after goals from Leroy Lita, Barry Robson and Richie Smallwood. [LNB] Anguish: Craig Bellamy (right) sees a chance go begging[LNB]Jones said: 'We just didn't seem to get going whatsoever. It's severely disappointing and it's a big kick inthe teeth, but football does that to you sometimes. Did the pressure get to us? No. It was like someone threw a blanket over their goal. [LNB]'Did we choke? I don't think that's fair on my players. To talk about choking is wrong and I take exception to being labelled as a choker. We don't use the excuse that we always sell our best players every year. [LNB] Disbelief: A Cardiff fan can't watch his side's dismal start[LNB]'We get new ones in and then we expect them to be up there again. I don't want any sour faces. It can't be dwelt on.' [LNB]Middlesbrough were ahead within threeminutes, when Lita's header from a diagonal pass by Tony McMahon completely deceived Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Lita turned provider 10 minutes later, sending a low cross into the box for Robson to prod the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. [LNB] Head over heels: Leroy Lita celebrates scoring the opener [LNB] Clash: Tony McMahon (left) gets hold of Bellamy[LNB]Cardiff appealed for a penalty after 17 minutes when Robson appeared to handball a Craig Bellamy free-kick, but were 3-0 down four minutes later. [LNB]Marvin Emnes ran down the right and pulled the ball back for 20-year-old Smallwood to fire in his first Middlesbrough goal.[LNB] Pain: Bellamy can't believe what is happening[LNB] Eyes on the ball: Jay Bothroyd (left) shields from goalscorer Richard Smallwood[LNB]Bellamy led the attempted onslaught in the second half, only to see Jay Bothroyd fire wide after 50 minutes. [LNB]Despite Cardiff 's best efforts the most notable event was Chris Burke accidently knocking over assistant referee Sian Massey. 'She fell over,' chirped the crowd. [LNB]Cardiff appealed for another penalty in the final minute, when Seyi Olofinjana's shot hit Stephen McManus's hand at close range, but were denied. [LNB]Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray said:'I'm happy we scored a few goals again but the most pleasing part is wekept a clean sheet. 'We saw the game out quite comfortably in the end.'[LNB] Sickener: Dave Jones (right) and assistant Terry Burton (left) are left to ponder the result[LNB] Northern Exposure: Positive signs for Boro despite a disappointing seasonPreston 0 Cardiff 1: Relegation for North End as Bluebirds keep flyingCardiff 2 QPR 2: Taarabt shows class as Rangers edge near Premier League[LNB] Explore more:People: Jay Bothroyd, Tony Mowbray, Sian Massey, Leroy Lita Places: Cardiff
