Middlesbrough

1-0

Coventry City

Hasselbaink, 20

 

 


The FA Cup Fourth Round Proper Replay
The Riverside Stadium
Wednesday 08 February 2006
Winning club receives £60,000



Middlesbrough eased the pressure as they booked a Fifth Round trip to Preston North End with victory over Coventry.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's 20th-minute strike proved decisive, but Premiership strugglers 'Boro had to survive some anxious moments against Micky Adams' spirited Championship side.

Boro's leading 15-goal marksman Yakubu, recalled to the starting line-up by Steve McClaren, turned provider to set up Hasselbaink with a perfect through-ball.

And the Dutchman was in the clear to round goalkeeper Marton Fulop and slot home left-footed for his ninth goal of the season and second of the tie.

The Sky Blues were without veteran midfielder Dennis Wise, the driving force in their recent revival, because of a chest muscle injury.

With Gary McSheffrey again showing the verve and creativity that marked him out as such a threat in the 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena 11 days ago, Middlesbrough had to be wary.

There was an early flashpoint when Coventry's James Scowcroft committed a wildly high challenge on Emanuel Pogatetz. The Boro defender was incensed and had to be restrained by skipper Gareth Southgate and Doriva from exacting retribution, before referee Martin Atkinson raised a yellow card at Scowcroft.

But Hasselbaink soon settled Boro's nerves with a goal out of nothing and five minutes later almost added a second.

He took a return ball from Gaizka Mendieta and hammered in another left-footed effort, but Fulop stood up to make the save at the near post.

Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer was forced to make a vital reflex stop in the 37th minute when Stern John, who scored Coventry's equaliser in the first encounter, flicked McSheffrey's centre across goal.

Near half-time, John's strike partner Dele Adebola was lucky to escape punishment after his wayward arm caught Boro centre-back Chris Riggott in the face.

Coventry gave Boro another scare six minutes into the second half when John beat Schwarzer to Marcus Hall's left-wing cross, but headed wide.

Mendieta was close for Boro with a 25-yard drive before Hall fired an ambitious effort narrowly wide.

Stuart Parnaby then brought a brilliant save from Fulop with a piledriver as Boro searched for a second goal.

But Schwarzer had to pull off a fine stop to deny John and City skipper Robert Page made a goalmouth block to foil Boro sub Massimo Maccarone in a frantic finale.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Pogatetz, Riggott, Southgate, Parnaby, Mendieta, Doriva, Rochemback, Taylor, Yakubu, Hasselbaink. Subs: Jones, Maccarone, Bates, Viduka, Johnson.

Coventry City: Fulop, Whing, Page, Williams, Hall, Scowcroft, Hutchison, Doyle, McSheffrey, Adebola, John. Subs: Ince, Morrell, Jorgensen, Heath, Shaw.

Referee: M Atkinson