Man City return to winning form defeating Boro 1-0

With the disappointment of last weeks loss to Stoke City behind them, Manchester City responded with a tidy 1-0 victory over relegation threatened Middlesbrough. The victory was far from easy as both 'keepers denied a number of glistening opportunities and kept the match close to the bitter end.

The match marked the debut of Shay Given in sky-blue and the Republic of Ireland lived up to the billing with four show stopping saves. Not to be outdone, in his third match for the Citizens, Wales captain Craig Bellamy was the deciding factor with his slick left-footed strike the found the net six minutes after the re-start.

Gareth Southgate's side showed its typical strong effort and whilst their opportunities came at a premium, Afonso Alves was robbed with each of his four efforts by the new keeper. Starting mid-way the opening half and seven minutes before the break each seemed ear-marked for the goal but it was not to be.

City's efforts showed significant more resolve but were consistently denied by Boro 'keeper Brad Jones. Five minutes before the break, it looked like the deadlock would finally be broken Wayne Bridge crossed to Stephen Ireland but his header rang off the woodwork. Quickly Boro went on the attack and once again Shay Given denied the former Heerenveen-man Alves after he was provided a through ball by Didier Digard.

After a number of squandered opportunities before the break, City found the matches lone goal six minutes after the restart. Following a harmless looking pass from Nigel de Jong to Craig Bellamy a morsel beyond the top right-hand edge of the box, the Welsh striker, moved to his left out maneuvering Boro's Mad Dog defender, Emanuel Pogatetz and skirted a ball to the far corner with his left foot.

Hunting for the insurance goal, City came close but dare I say close as each thrust forward fell short. However Boro's search for the equalizer was not to be and the match wound down with City taking the 1-0 victory.