Southgate claims 'resilient' Boro worth the win over Blades
Gareth Southgate hails Boro "resilience" after 1-0 win over Blades
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An own goal by goalkeeper Paddy Kenny in extra-time has helped  |
Thursday, 28, Feb 2008 09:31
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has said he was pleased with his side's "resilience" in the FA Cup victory over Sheffield United.
The Teessiders had to rely on a fortunate own goal from Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny 25 minutes into extra time to claim the win over their Championship opponents.
It had looked as if the match was set to plod towards a second consecutive goalless draw, after the 0-0 scoreline at Bramall Lane in the original tie, but the unlucky Kenny scooped the ball into his own net after Mido had hit the post.
But despite the lucky break for their winner, which looped up over United defender Chris Morgan, Southgate claimed Boro were worth the win and a place in the quarter-finals.
"We had had enough good play that we had not profited from earlier," he said.
"They will feel very harshly done by that the goal went in the way it did, although if it had not gone in I think there would have been a fair handball shout against Chris Morgan because it was a good full-length save by the looks of it.
"But I am pleased with the resilience we showed."
Southgate also reserved praise for highly-rated striker Afonso Alves, who made his full debut for the club at the Riverside.
And despite drawing a blank and being largely anonymous throughout, his withdrawal in the second half prompted jeers from the home crowd who were hoping their side would push for an outright winner.
"He was bright, he showed a few flashes of what is going to come. It was good to give him a start," Southgate said of the Brazilian, who signed from Heerenveen for a club-record fee in January.
"It was obviously not the most popular decision to take him off but we were very conscious that it was his first game, and with Reading on Saturday as well we had to have an eye on both matches."