Source: Telegraph
Middlesbrough 0 Sheffield United 0: match report
And so it begins. And so, as Brian Howard took the game's first touch, started a season that climaxes at Soccer City, Johannesburg with the World Cup final on July 11. Such a stellar occasion certainly seemed a world away as two Championship sides huffed and puffed and launched the new season with a damp squib. It can only get better. [LNB]The match finished to a flurry of boos from Boro fans, frustrated at their enduring lack of a cutting edge, aware that an immediate return to the Premier League cannot be taken for granted. [LNB] Related ArticlesChampionship team guideBoro ready for life without DowningSouthgate to beef up BoroDrop still haunts TaylorKeane's Ipswich planDown to business for Di MatteoThe Riverside should really take pride from the deafening sound of a moving tribute to the late, great Sir Bobby Robson followed by the uplifting sight of Adam Johnson in full flight. [LNB]The moment that fans spotted Lee Mason, the referee, summoning the players to the centre-circle before kick-off, the crowd rose as one to remember the former England manager. The applause was thunderous and, within seconds, all corners of the ground reverberated to 'There's Only One Bobby Robson''. [LNB]Truly, this was a wonderful tribute to Robson, testament to his universal popularity and a credit to both sets of supporters. [LNB]Last season, Boro rubbed shoulders with Manchester United but now they were trading tackles with Sheffield United, who gave Gareth Southgate's side a typically physical welcome to the Championship. 'We stood up to the physical challenge which people questioned whether we would,'' observed their manager. [LNB]Fears that Boro would lose some of their creativity with Stewart Downing's departure to Aston Villa were offset by Johnson dictating the tempo. Excellent for England Under-21s during the summer, Johnson roamed between the flanks here and tricked his way past Andy Taylor, a drop of the shoulders leaving the full-back on his knees. [LNB]Early in the second half, Johnson embarrassed the other full-back, Kyle Walker, taking the ball elegantly past the defender and seeming to have his heel clipped as he advanced into the area. Mason waved away Johnson's penalty appeal. [LNB]In attempting to break down Kevin Blackwell's side, Johnson was assisted by the lively Mark Yeates, who switched flanks effectively and tested Mark Bunn with a long-range strike that the visitors' keeper palmed away. [LNB]Boro had endured a real battering in the opening stages when United's Chris Morgan and Keith Treacy went close. It seemed a culture shock to Boro, not used to such direct football after 11 years amongst the elite. But the visitors could play as well, Howard showing some decent touches. [LNB]With Nick Montgomery anchoring midfield, United worked the ball quickly through to the hard-working and hardly fit Darius Henderson. Exploiting early uncertainty in the Boro defence, Stephen Quinn almost scored, bringing a good save from Danny Coyne. Robert Huth cleared off the line from Ryan France. [LNB]Southgate knows that Boro will have to scrap, as well as pass, their way out of a division brimming with ambitious teams from Roy Keane's Ipswich Town, Nigel Clough's Derby County, Roberto di Matteo's West Bromwich Albion and Darren Ferguson's Peterborough United. Big names abound. [LNB]The BBC must be rubbing their hands in glee at signing a deal for Championship games, starting with Alan Shearer giving his verdict on Newcastle's performance at The Hawthorns today. Now that will be worth listening to. [LNB]As a full moon gave the occasion a more lustrous feel than it deserved, the game petered out, noteworthy only for Montgomery almost snapping Gary O'Neil in two and Martin O'Neill darting from the directors' box 10 minutes from time. O'Neill was watching David Wheater, but Boro will need the rugged centre-half on the season's long road ahead. [LNB]Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Coyne; McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Grounds; Yeates, Williams, Digard (O'Neil 42), A Johnson; Emnes (Lita 64), Aliadiere. Subs: Steele (g), Hoyte, Taylor, Arca, Franks. Booked: Williams. [LNB]Sheffield United (4-1-4-1): Bunn; Walker, Morgan, Kilgallon, Taylor; Montgomery; France, Quinn, Howard (Evans 67), Treacy (Cotterill 63); Henderson. Subs: Bennett (g), Reid, Bromby, Sharp, Little. [LNB]Referee: L Mason (Lancashire). [LNB]
