Alves outshines Robinho as Boro snatch the spoils

ON the Riverside Stadium turf where Juninho’s every trick was once worshipped, Manchester City’s very own little Brazilian was stifled while compatriot Afonso Alves emerged as Middlesbrough’s match-winner.

Alves crashed in a penalty eight minutes after the restart to steer Boro towards a much-needed win, leaving the more renowned Robinho, a £32.5m buy from Real Madrid, nursing the wounds of defeat.

City will feel harshly done by after failing to improve on a record that has seen them win just one match on their Premier League travels, a 3-0 victory at Sunderland.

After looking the most likely to score last night, City were furious when referee Lee Mason adjudged that striker Daniel Sturridge had tripped David Wheater in the penalty area.

Replays clearly showed that initial contact took place just outside the area, with Wheater falling into the box, but that did not stop the official from pointing to the spot.

On a night when all eyes were expecting Robinho to dazzle, it was left to £12.7m Alves to hammer his third goal of the season beyond City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

And when Gary O’Neil’s long wait for his first Middlesbrough goal finally came to a close in the 94th minute, the victory was complete.

It was by no means the prettiest of displays from Middlesbrough, although the reality is that they did improve on a record that had seen them win just one of their previous seven matches.

Given the huge outlay City’s owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, made on Robinho on transfer deadline day, it is even more startling when you consider Middlesbrough’s net spend during the whole of the summer was some £32m less.

And while Southgate’s most expensive recruit of the close-season, Didier Digard, was included in the middle, there was once again no place for Marvin Emnes, while Justin Hoyte could return on Saturday.

Like their price tags, there were contrasting starts for both Digard and Robinho last night, with the latter being gifted an early opportunity by the former.

Middlesbrough’s French midfielder was cheaply brushed off the ball by the whole-hearted Stephen Ireland.

His quick pass allowed Robinho to shoot on goal, but Ross Turnbull was equal to it.

City included just two of the team that lost 8-1 at the Riverside Stadium in May, while one of Middlesbrough’s six players on show that afternoon almost opened the scoring last night.

Alves, who grabbed a hattrick in that record-breaking win, met a Stewart Downing centre confidently, although the effort landed safely in the hands of goalkeeper Hart.

Despite plenty of early possession from City, Middlesbrough were given encouragement in their attempts to deliver a win that would have lifted them up to level on points with their opponents.

But Southgate’s central midfield was completely outplayed in the opening 45 minutes.

Digard and O’Neil had plenty of energy but were unable to get to grips with Elano and Ireland, while Vincent Kompany pulled the strings.

City, though, were unable to make the most of their early superiority.

And, ironically, it was a terrific O’Neil sliding tackle on Ireland that kicked Middlesbrough into life towards the end of the first half.

Seconds later an Aliadiere centre evaded Downing at the back post, then Alves was inches away from turning an O’Neil centre goalwards.

Immediately after the restart, however, City quickly reaffirmed their attacking intent, even if Turnbull’s alertness prevented them from finding the breakthrough.

The Middlesbrough goalkeeper made two outstanding saves in as many minutes.

After diving to his right to palm away Ireland’s drive, the man from Newton Aycliffe then denied Wright-Phillips with his legs after a clever backheel from Sturridge.

The young City striker’s night soon got worse, though.

His trip on Wheater was deemed to be inside the area and Alves took three steps before casually and coolly stroking Middlesbrough in front with the penalty.

Arriving just eight minutes after the restart, it was a goal that sparked a much-improved display from Middlesbrough and Tuncay Sanli was unfortunate to see a terrific drive change direction and fly inches wide from 20 yards.

Inevitably, as the second half wore on, City’s influence grew and Sturridge wasted a glorious chance from close range after Turnbull had done well to parry a low Kompany drive.

There was a frenetic ending.

City, however, were unable to claw themselves level and that paved the way for O’Neil to hammer in the loose the ball after Tuncay was thwarted from close range.