City edge drab tie at snowy Boro

The Blues this afternoon saw off a plucky Middlesbrough side at the Riverside to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. A Benjani strike in the late stages of the first half proved the winner in a generally unconvincing performance. The day in general proved one without any real shocks.

New manager Roberto Mancini made several changes to the side that won at Wolves. Vladimir Weiss and Dedryck Boyata made their first senior appearances, the Belgian initially starting alongside Micah Richards in the centre of defence. Javi Garrido got a rare start, and Benjani got the nod up-front. Gareth Barry, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez all had to make do with places on the bench.

The game almost didn't go ahead at all, mixed messages before kick-off, a 1:45pm pitch inspection, and even after that some confusion about the North East weather outside the stadium making it a wasted trip for travelling supporters. The conditions certainly had an adverse effect on the attendance, just over 12,000, half of which were said to be Blues.

Truth be told, it was a bloody awful game of football, and one i'm sure we'll be glad to have gotten out of the way. Despite creating nothing by way of efforts on target Boro did well in spells, particularly the first half-hour during which we were second to everything. Exciting winger Adam Johnson terrorised Sylvinho before limping off with an injury, and young Jonathan Franks plugged away all afternoon. Pablo Zabaleta going nearest for us early doors.

Benjani spent the majority of the half completely alienated in attack, and with the likes of Ireland and Barry missing there was an obvious lack of support. When the ball came out of defence it was coming right back, and we were being easily rattled and poor in possession. The changes didn't appear to be paying off, but Johnson's substitution following a challenge by Garrido proved a turning point. Boro went flat after their star man was replaced and we had several chances.

In the 38th minute Martin Petrov almost edged us in to a lead, exchanging passes with Benjani his shot flying wide of Coyne's upright. A goal was coming, and it arrived on the stroke of half-time. Petrov picked up the ball centrally and ran at the Boro back-line. Benjani wheeled away from his marker, a superb run, enabling the Bulgarian to angle a ball through. Taking a touch wide the striker finished low to the keeper's right.

At half-time Mancini made two changes, replacing de Jong and Richards with Tevez and Barry. The latter's introduction was especially needed, and he made a huge difference. Fair play to the manager once more, whilst we went in 1-0 up we were never convincing. Debutant Boyata had a mixed first period, but with countryman Kompany moved back alongside him he went on to have an excellent second.

Boro still had occasional half-chances, and one extremely dubious claim for a penalty, but we were keeping the ball down and passing it well, the movement overall was better and a second always seemed likely to arrive on the break. Carlos Tevez should have got it, put through he tried taking Coyne on and fired wide when getting a quick shot away would have been a better idea. At the other end young midfielder Rhys Williams should have put a header away.

We were then put under the cosh during a patch of good Boro possession. The worry down our left aided somewhat by the injuries to Johnson and then his replacement Emnes, the home side began to get their fair share of luck down the opposite flank, Zab short of support on two or three occasions. McMahon also went close from distance. Despite some late aerial bombardment we were looking resolute at the back otherwise, besides a Wheater header being cleared off the line.

I think we must simply look at today as a job done. Both sides were poor but the aim of the game is to progress and that's all that matters. The ease with which such a poor side were getting the better of our full-backs at times, especially early, perhaps prove that we've not turned into defensive masters overnight, but another clean sheet is encouraging, and another win can't do confidence any harm ahead of Wednesday's resounding League Cup semi-final victory.

Team:
Given, Zabaleta, Sylvinho, Richards (Barry '46), Boyata, de Jong (Tevez '46), Weiss (Bellamy '74), Kompany, Petrov, Benjani, Garrido