Middlesbrough produced a display of enormous quality to shock the current Premier League holders Manchester City at the Etihad this afternoon. They were the better team throughout the game, with a number of chances to kill of the game before they did.
The 1st half was full of entertainment with Manchester City having the majority of the chances. Jovetic and Milner both had shots saved from range by Mejias, who was the stand out player in the first half. Boyata also had an opportunity from a corner, but fluffed his first shot then hit his second shot way over the bar.
However, the second half was the complete opposite of the first with Middlesbrough having the most chances. They took the lead thorough Patrick Bamford, scoring his 10th goal of the season, after a mistake from Caballero lead to Fernando chasing back to clear the ball of his line. Bamford though ran with him and block the clearance to take the lead.
They then had two great chances to make it 2-0. Adomah spurned the first after he was sent through with only the keeper to beat, but didn’t put enough on the chip. Tomlin was then unlucky in the 63rd minute, after turning and shooting he was unlucky to hit the post.
City’s best chance to try to rescue the game was from Lampard with two minutes to go, with a shot from just outside the area which took a deflection off Adam Clayoton, A lifelong City fan and former academy player, to hit the top corner of the post.
Kike then wrapped up the win for the Boro. The ball came to Kike and he slotted home past Caballero to book their place in the next round and send the Boro fans into pandemonium.
City fielded a strong side, which featured Aguro, Silva and Kompany, but they just couldn’t find a way past the resolute defence of Middlesbrough who were rarely tested enough.
