Football story by Vinnie Mitchell, Sat, 05 Nov 2005 11:04:00 GMT


Building on their success in the Carling cup and in Premiership, Middlesbrough notched up their 3rd win in a week by thrashing Ukrainian side Dnipro 3-0 at the Riverside in a match which saw Australian striker Mark Viduka score a double and being denied a third only by the pole.

Middlesbrough, who had earlier humiliated Manchester United 4-1 in their Premiership fixture, came on to the field with Mark Viduka partnering Aiyegbeni Yakubu at the front in an attempt by the Boro manager Steve McClaren to rotate his strikers by keeping out the in-form Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

For 35 minutes both the sides were playing a tight game with Dnipro perhaps having the upper hand. Just when it looked that the visitors would break free and score the opening goal, Yakubu struck. The Nigerian international picked up the ball on the left flank, played a delightful one-two with Gaizka Mendieta and hit a scorcher past the Dnipro keeper Artem Kusliy to score his seventh goal of the season. Mendieta, who had impressed by scoring two goals against Manchester United on the weekend, was then denied a goal by Kusliy who stopped a dipping shot at his near post.

The second half though belonged to Mark Viduka. Viduka, who had a listless first half, gave out a brilliant performance in the second half. The Australian hit a thunderous right-footer from 25 yard out which had the top corner of Dnipro goal written all over it. Middlesbrough though should have thanked referee Bertrand Layec for the second goal who allowed the play to continue after Mendieta was fouled by Nazarenko.

Five minutes later, James Morrison was denied for the second time by Kusliy but only for Viduka scoring his second on the rebound with a simple tap in.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren was in all praise for his strikers who have consistently found the net, "We were fourth top scorers last season, we have strikers capable of scoring. We always look to score. It was a very professional performance. Only Chelsea have scored more goals than us this season in the Premier League, and we have scored another three and haven't conceded one", he added.

The win now sees Middlesbrough needing just 1 point from their remaining two fixtures to qualify for knockout stages of the UEFA Cup. "It was important to win. It sets us up nicely. We only need another point from the next two games, so that puts us in the driving seat", McClaren said.
Middlesbrough next face Everton at Goodison Park again Sunday before a 2-week layoff for international fixtures.

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