Middlesbrough 2 Birmingham City 0
AN outstanding team performance was topped with goals set up by Andrew Taylor and scored by David Wheater and Stewart Downing on another proud day for Boro's Academy, writes GORDON COX from the Riverside.
Gareth Southgate made six changes from the midweek Carling Cup win, naming the same starting line-up that drew with Newcastle United. Steve Bruce made seven changes from the side that won for the first time this season as they beat Hereford United on Tuesday.
Stuart Parnaby received a very generous round of applause when his name was read out but he didn't see touch much action in the early stages as he started at left-back and Boro's work was predominantly down the other flank.
The sides could have been forgiven for a measured start in very warm, humid conditions but both seemed determined to give it a real go.
Boro began to settle and apply pressure on what looked a suspect central defence and Fabio Rochemback had a 25-yard shot deflected for a corner.
It came as no surprise when Boro took the lead and regular watchers of the Boro would not be surprised by the goalscorer. David Wheater has been close in every Barclays Premier League game this season and with 11 minutes played of this afternoon's match he rose high on the edge of the six-yard box to power a header from Andrew Taylor's left-wing cross well beyond the reach of Maik Taylor.
Stewart Downing had the goalkeeper at full stretch to grab a 25-yard free-kick soon after as Boro built on a bright start.
A few minutes later Downing linked well with Andrew Taylor to set up Jeremie Aliadiere, whose low shot was saved by Maik Taylor.
The busy Maik Taylor was in action again as Aliadiere twisted into a shooting position in the D but a slightly miss-hit shot was tipped over the bar.
Mark Schwarzer was never going to be troubled by an under hit effort from Cameron Jerome from the edge of the Boro box and the home side were soon back on the offensive.
Quick thinking from Jonathan Woodgate and a fine run from Aliadiere brought a free-kick in an area slightly better than a corner, but this time intended target Wheater was well shackled.
But as with the first goal, Andrew Taylor was involved in the second as it was his left-wing cross which was headed down by George Boateng on the edge of the six-yard box to Stewart Downing, unmarked a little further along the box, and a low left-footed shot slammed past Maik Taylor.
A long ball over the top down the Boro right was chased by Aliadiere, eager as his team mates to ram home their superiority. A low cross was cleared for a corner which was cleared to Julio Arca, who shot a yard over from 20 yards.
Entering injury-time another long ball over the top of the centre of defence this time just skidded out of reach of Downing as Boro searched for another.
The players went off to appreciative applause at half-time.
Half-time: Middlesbrough 2 Birmingham City 0
There was an early scare for City when Maik Taylor slipped while meeting a back pass but he was sufficiently far from goal to have time to make a recovery clearance.
A steadier pace to the game in the opening stages gave way to a sharp Boro move which ended with another delightful 25-yard chip from Rochemback which picked out Arca, who headed just wide from seven yards.
Steve Bruce had seen enough and just 11 minutes into the second half made a triple substitution, replacing Sebastian Larsson, Fabrice Muamba and Mikael Forssell with Garry O'Connor, Gary McSheffrey and Mehdi Nafti.
But it was Boro who continued to press with the City defence again stretched.
Finally City offered a real threat as Olivier Kapo skipped through midfield to within 25 yards of Boro's goal. A powerful shot looked to have taken a deflection before whistling just wide but a goal kick was awarded, much to the disgust of City's relatively small set of fans.
Back came Boro, Aliadiere was just crowded out after good work took him into the City box just minutes after a low shot had brought a smart save from Maik Taylor.
Luke Young had the luxury of being able to take a position in the City boxand he had time to pick his spot after evading a challenge but a low drive was cleared off the line by City skipper Liam Ridgewell.
Aliadiere was next to press Maik Taylor into action and the German-born Northern Ireland international was at full-stretch to turn round a low drive at his bottom right-hand corner.
City fashioned a rare chance 10 minutes from time when a slip allowed Jerome time to play in McSheffrey but Young produced a fine block. A minute later McSheffrey drilled a low shot inches wide.
In the closing stages Southgate made three changes, allowing Rochemback, Aliadiere and Mido in turn to leave to richly deserved standing ovations.
In the final minute Boro created a chance to give the scoreline a more realistic look as Downing raced into the box and could have shot but elected to try to pick out Dong Gook Lee who slid in to shoot into the side netting - the move was indicative of Boro's performance.
The players left the field to a well-earned standing ovation.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor, Boateng (Capt), Rochemback (Cattermole 81), Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Tuncay 84), Mido (Lee 87). Unused subs: Jones (gk); Hines.
Birmingham City: Taylor; Parnaby, Kelly, Ridgewell (Capt), Jaidi, Djourou, Larsson (McSheffrey 56), Muamba (Nafti 56), Kapo, Forssell (O'Connor 56), Jerome. Unused subs: Kingson (gk); Sadler.
Bookings
Boro: Mido, 48, foul on Ridgewell.
Birmingham City: Muamba, 32, foul on Arca; Nafti, 61, foul on Mido; Kapo, 77, foul on Mido.
Referee: Rob Styles, Waterlooville.
Attendance: 22,920
Website Boro Man of the Match: Many contenders in a team display, but Jeremie Aliadiere.
Conditions: Very warm and sunny.
