Middlesbrough hold off City challenge

Middlesbrough FC consolidated fifth place in the Premiership with a hard-earned 3-2 win against Manchester City FC on Monday night, Mark Viduka leading the way with two goals.

Well-worked goals
Viduka broke the deadlock in the ninth minute, collecting a clever through-ball from Stewart Downing before clipping the ball over the advancing City goalkeeper David James for his first goal in 12 games. However, the visitors were level six minutes before half-time as Jon Macken's flick found Robbie Fowler inside the Middlesbrough penalty area and the former Liverpool FC striker finished unerringly.

Restored lead
Viduka restored the home side's lead nine minutes into the second period, playing a one-two with strike partner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink before bending a shot beyond James with the outside of his right foot.

Fraught finale
The points looked secure after Hasselbaink made it 3-1 five minutes past the hour with a fine free-kick, but Bradley Wright-Phillips marked his senior City debut with a goal eleven minutes from time to set up a fraught finale. Middlesbrough held firm, however, to move up to 28 points, while City remained eleventh with 20 points.