Middlesbrough

1-0

Sheffield United

Kenny og 114

 

 


The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Fifth Round Proper Replay
8.05pm, Wednesday 27 February 2008
The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough FC
Winning clubs will receive £120,000 from The FA
The FA Live TV fee is £265,000 per club
Fifth Round Results - Results

A bizarre own goal by Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny deep into extra-time gifted Middlesbrough a place in the Quarter-Final of The FA Cup.

Kenny palmed the ball into the back of his own net after a deflected shot by Mido hit the post and came out.

It was harsh on Kenny who had a good game and thwarted Middlesbrough on every occasion before, but Sheffield United failed to capitalise by creating any real chances.

Kenny managed to parry Middlesbrough's record signing Afonso Alves’ blistering 35th-minute free-kick, after seeing the Brazilian earlier pass up a glorious opportunity in front of goal while Stewart Downing and teenager Seb Hines both went close.

However, Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer had to be quick off the mark to deny James Beattie on 29 minutes after Michael Tonge curled an inviting ball into the box.

Alves had the chance to open his account at The Riverside but blasted a 30-yard free kick straight at Kenny who made a decent save as the ball dipped and swerved dangerously in front of him.

Hines headed a Beattie cross over his own bar seven minutes before the break, with Schwarzer off his line, but Kenny had to save from Luke Young with his foot after Alves had got in on the right and pulled the ball back on 43 minutes.

The second half failed to come to life until the hour mark when Alves had another chance to score.

Midfielder Julio Arca ran the length of the pitch before playing Alves in on the edge of the area but the Brazilian's shot was well saved by Kenny once again.

George Boateng then headed wide from Jonathan Grounds' deep cross on 83 minutes.

But the Championship side finished strongly at the end of the 90 minutes and Beattie could have won it in the final minute, but fired agonisingly wide from Speed's ball in to the near post.

In extra time Kenny was on hand to make a fine double save to deny first Downing with his feet and then he got down low to save well from Tuncay.

But the game was won when the ball fell to Mido just inside the box and then his shot took a massive deflection off Morgan - hit the post - and then Kenny who was on the ground instinctively put his hand out and put it into his own net.

Middlesbrough will now face Cardiff at The Riverside in the Quarter-Final.