Source: Northern_Echo
Middlesbrough 3 Scunthorpe United 0
Middlesbrough 3 Scunthorpe United 0[LNB] IT MIGHT have arrived more than four years after he was first signed by Gordon Strachan, but Jeremie Aliadiere has finally made a league appearance for the Scotsman and scored a goal.[LNB] When Strachan was appointed Gareth Southgate's successor in late October, his arrival coincided with Aliadiere undergoing surgery on his ankle and few expected him to be given much of a chance under his new boss.[LNB] At the start of a season-long loan the Frenchman made just two appearances in pre-season Champions League qualifiers for Celtic in August 2005 before Strachan sent him back to Arsenal eight months early.[LNB] Being reunited on Teesside had the makings of a disaster.[LNB] Instead, after making a timely return from injury, Aliadiere found himself thrust into Strachan's starting line-up at the earliest opportunity on Saturday, when he spearheaded Middlesbrough's first home win at the Riverside since October 20.[LNB] I was with him at Celtic a long time ago, so he does know me, said Aliadiere.[LNB] But this week was the first few sessions I have had with him at Middlesbrough.[LNB] Monday was with the reserves and then I trained Tuesday and Thursday. I was surprised to be in the squad and then to play was an even greater surprise.[LNB] It was frustrating for me when the new manager came in because I wanted to prove I should be in the team but I couldn't because of the injury. He must have been impressed because he started me.[LNB] It was nice to see him come in. He was pleased to have me here. We have talked when I was injured and he has looked at where I would like to play. We have had plenty conversations.[LNB] Celtic just didn't work out.[LNB] When I was younger at Celtic I wanted to play every game. I had come back from a cruciate ligament injury, he wanted to take things slower, I didn't. I wanted to play straight away when I was on loan.[LNB] Strachan clearly did not feel that Aliadiere deserve a firstteam role at Celtic Park, but the striker must have forced his way into the manager's thinking again for today's trip to Barnsley.[LNB] Not only did the 26-year-old score his fourth of the season against Scunthorpe, he also had a pivotal role to play in the move which handed Middlesbrough a deserved lead.[LNB] Leroy Lita had already missed a glorious chance to score when he was put through by the effervescent Gary O'Neil and Isaiah Osbourne had hit the post before the opening goal arrived inside ten minutes.[LNB] O'Neil's crossfield ball was tamely headed towards the Scunthorpe area by Teessideborn Rob Jones, Aliadiere nipped in, charged towards goal and fell to the floor under the attention of Cliff Byrne to earn a penalty. Byrne was harshly sent off, paving the way for Adam Johnson to slot home his tenth of the season from spot.[LNB] I'm 50-50 whether it was a penalty or not to be honest,[LNB] admitted Aliadiere. I put my body in front of him, was going to shoot, and he sort of pushed or pulled me. I can't say whether it was a definite penalty. He put me off balance.[LNB] Middlesbrough had already dominated the early proceedings and the Iron's reduction to ten men just made the gulf between the two greater.[LNB] O'Neil and Aliadiere both had efforts on goal before Johnson's delightful chip from 25 yards bounced off the bar, leaving Scunthorpe in with a chance at just a goal down.[LNB] That, though, soon disappeared seconds before half-time.[LNB] Justin Hoyte's marauding run inside from the left-back position surprised the Scunthorpe backline. His intended pass to the right was intercepted, but fell into the path of Rhys Williams who struck first time into keeper Joe Murphy's bottom left.[LNB] It was a quiet afternoon for Danny Coyne, recalled between the posts by Strachan at the expense of the struggling Brad Jones.[LNB] Jones, who did not even make the bench, had kept just two clean sheets from his last 14 appearances, but Coyne found himself doing just that without ever being forced into a save.[LNB] And after recording 13 shots to Scunthorpe's two in the first half, number 14 brought Middlesbrough's third goal just 44 seconds after the restart.[LNB] O'Neil's ball from the right was cleverly allowed to run by Lita, Aliadiere took a touch before his scuffed shot bounced in off the par post. The perfect way to mark a return to the side in a season when his contract is up for renewal.[LNB] It's a very important time and I need to play well and get myself a new contract, he said.[LNB] I don't try to think too much about where I will be playing next season. All I want to do is play well and score goals, if I can focus on that then we will see what happens.[LNB] From the moment Aliadiere celebrated his goal the tempo of the game dipped, but Strachan had wrapped up his second victory from his nine matches, leaving Middlesbrough four points short of the top six.[LNB] There was frustration in the final stages when Lita was shown a red card for punching Andrew Wright in the dying seconds.[LNB] Lita will serve a three-match ban, but there was at least the satisfaction of a rare home win.[LNB] It was Middlesbrough's biggest win since May 2008 and the first time they have won on Boxing Day since the victory over Manchester United in 2002.[LNB] Not bad for a manager that has struggled to make an impact on Teesside.[LNB] Match facts Goals:[LNB] 1-0: Johnson pen (10, sent Murphy the wrong way from the spot);[LNB] 2-0: R Williams (45, sweet left foot strike into Murphy's bottom right);[LNB] 3-0: Aliadiere (46, given freedom to run and shoot in off Murphy's far post)[LNB] Bookings: Jones (79, foul)[LNB] Sendings off: Byrne (9, professional foul); Lita (89, violent conduct)[LNB] Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Preston) gave two controversial red cards on his appearance on Teesside 5[LNB] Attendance: 20,647[LNB] Entertainment: [LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2):[LNB] 6 Coyne: Rarely tested but was given a reception to savour by the fans;[LNB] 6 McMahon: Steady away and delivered a couple of teasing deliveries[LNB] 7 Wheater: Looked comfortable alongside Pogatetz[LNB] 7 Pogatetz: Had an easy afternoon, just a shame that his injury problems returned[LNB] 8 Hoyte: Arguably his best game for Boro, charging down the left regularly;[LNB] 9 O'NEIL: Might have faded after the restart but he was outstanding in the first half[LNB] 7 R Williams: Clearly enjoyed his first league goal for Boro and took it well[LNB] 7 Osbourne: Has been the pick of Strachan's loan signings[LNB] 7 Johnson: Exciting first half, the trouble will come if he is sold in January;[LNB] 6 Lita: Sent off for an alleged punch off the ball on Wright.[LNB] 7 Aliadiere: First start since October and marked it with a goal[LNB] Subs:[LNB] Bent (for Aliadiere 64): Hasn't made the impact he would have liked 5 Yeates (for Johnson 71) Riggott (for Pogatetz 83) (not used): Steele, Taylor, Arca, L Williams[LNB] SCUNTHORPE UNITED (4-5-1):[LNB] Murphy 4; Byrne 5, Jones 5, Mirfin 4, M Williams 4; Thompson 4, Woolford 5, J WRIGHT 6 (Sparrow 74), McCann 4, O'Connor 4 (A Wright 46, 5); Hayes 4 (Forte 46, 5).[LNB] Subs: Slocombe, Togwell, Spence, Canavan[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH[LNB] GARY O'Neil ran the first half with his energy and was still influential after the restart.[LNB]
