Source: Daily_Mail
Middlesbrough 3 Birmingham 1
The wasteful months of Gordon Strachan's reign at Middlesbrough mean Tony Mowbray has very little money but what he gets, this Teesside son of 1986 spends very wisely.[LNB]Twenty-five years after the club fought off financial woes to survive, the captain of that era is back as boss, and facing cash restrictions of his own as he looks to guide Boro back to the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]He may be doing it on a shoestring, and with no guarantee he will hold on to the likes of Matthew Bates, Rhys Williams and Joe Bennett, but three games in and Mowbray's men are third, after an impressive win over weary Birmingham.[LNB] Nightmare: Birmingham goalkeeper Boaz Myhill stands dejected[LNB]MATCH FACTS Middlesbrough: Ikeme, McMahon, McManus, Bates, Bennett, Robson, Rhys Williams, Bailey, Arca (Martin 67), Emnes, McDonald (Haroun 46).Subs Not Used: Coyne, Hines, Smallwood.Booked: Robson,Ikeme.Goals: Robson 48,Haroun 69,Martin 72.Birmingham: Myhill, Carr, Caldwell, Davies, Murphy, Burke, Spector (Wood 72), Fahey, Redmond, Beausejour, Rooney.Subs Not Used: Doyle, Dann, Asante, Hubbins.Booked: Caldwell,Burke.Goals: Rooney 36 pen.Att: 17,567Ref: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire). [LNB]Boro came from behind to clinch their first home success after Adam Rooney's spot-kick put Chris Hughton's European travellers ahead. Second-half goals from Barry Robson and free signings Faris Haroun and Malaury Martin sealed victory. [LNB]Mowbray said: 'It was evident when wearrived that the match-day experience here was not what it should. We want that back here but it is going to take time, and may not happen in the Championship.'[LNB]Birmingham boss Hughton made just twochanges from the side which drew 0-0 in Madeira on Thursday but refusedto blame the Europa League adventure.[LNB]He said: 'I could use fatigue as an excuse and when legs were tired the bench was very young but we added toour downfall with soft goals.'[LNB]Nathan Redmond had the first effort of the match but his shot from distance fizzed just past the post.[LNB]The home side started to come back into the game and it took a smart save from Boaz Myhill to prevent Robson giving the hosts the lead with a drive from 20 yards.[LNB]Rooney, recalled to the side after sitting out his side's goalles draw with Nacional in the Europa League, was close to an opener after 13 minutes but Chris Burke's low cross just evaded the striker's outstretched leg.[LNB]After Scott McDonald was fed neatly by strike partner Marvin Emnes, the Australian striker failed to direct his shot on target before seeing another effort well saved by Myhill.[LNB] Tussle: Scott McDonald is tracked by David Murphy[LNB]Myhill was continued to be tested as Boro started to dominate, this time producing a smart save from a deflected Emnes strike.[LNB]Tony McMahon, back in the Boro side after a one-match suspension following his red card against Leeds last week, almost broke the deadlock but - from a tight angle - fired his shot against the post.[LNB]Against the run of play, Birmingham took the lead after 36 minutes from the penalty spot. Rooney fired into the bottom left corner after the lively Burke had been brought down in the box.[LNB]Boro almost responded immediately but, after turning in the box, Julio Arca fired a weak shot straight at Myhill.[LNB]The home side did equalise three minutes after the restart when Robson's free-kick crept in off the near post.[LNB]Rooney could have fired Birmingham ahead for the second time but he failed to hit the target before Middlesbrough secured the victory with two goals in three minutes.[LNB]After replacing McDonald, Haroun madean instant impact and, after having a shot blocked, he netted the second goal by slotting in from 12 yards, before Martin drilled home from 25 yards.[LNB]Jean Beausejour almost grabbed a consolation in stoppage time but his effort from distance was easily saved by Carl Ikeme.[LNB] [LNB] Click here for the latest Championship table, fixtures and resultsRead all the latest news and views in our Football League blog [LNB]
