Cardiff 1 - Middlesbrough 0: Late George Friend own goal gifts home side victory

George Friend reacts to scoring an own goal to give Cardiff victory

MIDDLESBROUGH looked set to cling on to a point until four minutes from time, when George Friend scored an own-goal to gift Cardiff the victory.

 

Boro and the Bluebirds had plenty of opportunities earlier in the match to bag all three points, but the finishing never matched the approach work.

Both sides drew a blank at the weekend, with Middlesbrough dropping two points at home to Fulham and Cardiff sharing the spoils at struggling Preston.

It was the second successive time that Boro had failed to score in the league – their last goals coming in the 3-0 victory over Leeds on September 27.

Cardiff have been inconsistent for much of the season, with manager Russell Slade desperate to see his side piece together a run of note. To their credit, they began this contest at a decent lick, with Slade opting for a 4-4-2 formation, pairing Alex Revell and Joe Mason up front.

Peter Whittingham had an early shot well saved by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos at his near post, while Craig Noone posed one or two problems for Friend on Cardiff’s right. When the former Brighton winger cut inside Friend in the 13th minute, Konstantopoulos had to be at his very best once again.

Matt Connolly was next to test the visitors but the Greek keeper held on to the defender’s shot with relative ease.

 

Russell Slade celebrates Cardiff's victory with Craig Noone

Middlesbrough coach Aitor Karanka looks unimpressed with the result

Daniel Ayala was booked for tugging Fabio to the floor at the end of the first quarter but when Whittingham fired in the ensuing free-kick, Sean Morrison was unable to convert at the far post.

Having played second fiddle for the best part of 25 minutes, Middlesbrough then came within an ace of breaking the deadlock. Adam Clayton’s cross dropped in between Morrison and Connolly, but Albert Adomah’s header was saved by David Marshall.

Cardiff began the second half much as they started the first on the front foot. Whittingham, Fabio and Mason caused problems along the left and when Fabio crossed in the 49th minute, Aron Gunnarsson blasted over from close in.

Clayton was booked for pulling down Mason and suddenly Cardiff had their tails up. Revell was presented with a wonderful chance in the 51st minute, but the former Rotherham striker scuffed his shot woefully wide.

Boro were happy to play on the counter and when Stewart Downing popped up on the edge of the box in the 51st minute, Lee Peltier was forced to block a smart shot with his head.

The best chance, however, fell to Adomah once again. Cardiff got themselves in trouble at the back but when Adomah raced into the box, his shot was comfortably saved by Marshall.

It certainly gave Boro fresh belief. Diego Fabbrini was denied by Marshall at the near post, before Ayala rose to head just wide from the ensuing corner.

With the game opening up, both sides sensed an opportunity to strike. Downing became increasingly influential in the wide areas for Boro and delivered some telling centres. But a lack of height in the visitors’ front line meant Cardiff dealt with the danger with a degree of comfort.

Cardiff pinched the verdict with just four minutes remaining when a scramble in the Boro box led to Friend putting through his own goal.

CARDIFF (4-4-2): Marshall; Peltier, Morrison, Connolly, Fabio; Noone, Dikgacoi, Gunnarsson (O’Keefe 80), Whittingham; Revell (Ameobi 76), Mason (Malone 90). Booked: Gunnarsson, Noone. Goal: Friend 86 og.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Ayala, Amorebieta, Friend; Clayton, Leadbitter (Forshaw 80); Adomah (Kike 87), Fabbrini (Nsue 84), Downing; Nugent. Booked: Ayala, Clayton.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northamptonshire).