Boro gun down Roma

Thursday, 09, Mar 2006 09:58

Middlesbrough pulled off a shock 1-0 victory at home to Roma in the Uefa Cup thanks to an Aiyegbeni Yakubu penalty.

Roma have just set the all-time Serie A record for consecutive victories with 11 wins on the trot, but they were unable to compete with Boro at the Riverside.

Middlesbrough have now beaten Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal as well as the Italian giants on Teesside this season.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink won the crucial penalty which allowed Middlesbrough to claim a famous victory over the Italians.

The goal came just 11 minutes into the game. Gaizka Mendieta beat Leandro Cufre on the touch line and laid the ball into Hasselbaink's stride.

The Dutchman charged towards the goal and was all too keen to go down over the challenge of Roma goalkeeper Gianluca Curci. The referee pointed to the spot and Yakubu stepped up to give the home side the lead.

Middlesbrough responded to the goal with gusto, they tore into the shell-shocked Roma side and should have added to their one-goal lead.

Stewart Downing and Yakubu ganged up successfully on former Chelsea full-back Christian Panucci and the in-form Italians were reeling.

George Boateng should have at least hit the target with a 25-yard strike which flew over the bar after half an hour.

Roma came out far better in the second period but never forced Mark Schwarzer into a difficult save.

Mendieta wasted a glorious chance to make it a dream night for Boro when the former Lazio player failed to finish off the Italians with ten minutes remaining.