2007/08 FA Premier League: Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal

Sunday, December 9, 2007

December 9, 2007
13:00
(UTC)
Middlesbrough 2 – 1 Arsenal The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Attendance: 26,428
Referee: Howard Webb
Downing Scored after pen 4 minutes pen 4'
O'Neil Booked after 26 minutes 26'
Rochemback Booked after 57 minutes 57'
Woodgate Substituted off after 73 minutes 73'
Huth Substituted on after 73 minutes 73'
Sanli Scored after 74 minutes 74'
Aliadiere Substituted off after 81 minutes 81'
Arca Substituted on after 81 minutes 81'
SanliSubstituted off after 90 minutes 90'
Johnson Substituted on after 90 minutes 90'
Substituted off after 46 minutes 46' Eduardo
Substituted on after 46 minutes 46' Bendtner
Booked after 51 minutes 51' Toure
Booked after 52 minutes 52' Clichy
Substituted off after 60 minutes 60' Diarra
Substituted on after 60 minutes 60' Denilson
Substituted off after 61 minutes 61' Eboue
Substituted on after 61 minutes 61' Walcott
Scored after 90 minutes 90' Rosicky


Arsenal failed to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after they suffered their first league defeat of the season at the hands of Middlesbrough. The Gunners got off to the worst possible start after Middlesbrough were awarded a penalty by referee Howard Webb in the fourth minute. Stewart Downing converted it to give Boro the lead.

Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli sealed the victory for Middlesbrough 16 minutes from time when he shot high into the net. Tomas Rosicky scored a consolation goal for the visitors in the fifth minute of stoppage time but it was Boro's day. The three points meant that they moved out of the relegation zone and into 16th place. At the top Arsenal are now just one point clear of second placed Manchester United after dropping five points in their last two matches.

Sources