Boro's underfire duo silence boo-boys

WHILE the attention was focused on how Mark Viduka would handle the hot reception on his return to Teesside, two of Middlesbrough's current players combined to silence Newcastle United's very own boo-boys at the Riverside Stadium.

After an enthralling encounter, Julio Arca and Mido ensured that Boro came twice from behind to guarantee the first North-East derby of the season ended in an action-packed draw.

Both players, similar to the way Viduka was harangued by the Teesside faithful who supported him for three years before leaving for St James' Park, had been given a torrid afternoon by the travelling supporters.

But Arca's terrific strike ten minutes from time will have been celebrated as much in Sunderland as it was in Middlesbrough last night, after the former Black Cats favourite prevented Newcastle from claiming the points.

The Argentinean's goal had cancelled out Viduka's well-controlled finish two minutes earlier, when he turned Jonathan Woodgate in the area before firing low into Mark Schwarzer's net.

His celebration was simple, standing firm in one spot while his Newcastle team-mates mobbed him in front of the Middlesbrough fans that had been shouting insults at him all afternoon were muted.

But neither Arca or Viduka had to contend with the insults which came Mido's way.

ASK any Newcastle United fan what the biggest plus to have come from the Magpies' draw at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday and the likelihood is that they will raise the same answer - Charles N'Zogbia.

The little Frenchman may be the subject of interest from Fulham ahead of this Friday's transfer deadline but manager Sam Allardyce should be not even contemplating selling him on.

It is true that N'Zogbia has had his temperament problems on Tyneside - highlighted by his infamous mobile phone incident at Fratton Park last season - but Allardyce appears to be the man to eradicate those.

If he can, and he can also ensure N'Zogbia continues to fulfil his enormous potential, then Newcastle not only have an extremely gifted all-round talent for the future, they could also have unearthed a real hidden defensive gem.

Regarded more as an attacker, N'Zogbia has played well at left-back this season while Newcastle wait for £4m signing Jose Enrique to find full fitness following his move from Villarreal.

And against Boro the youngster from Le Havre offered a further insight into the way he has adopted to the role being asked of him.

Unafraid to go on the attack - illustrated by the way he put Newcastle a goal up with an absolute diamond strike with his weaker right foot - he bares raw similarities to the wing play of Ashley Cole, with a better eye for goal.

Allardyce's biggest target now must be to ensure he also develops his defensive game. If he can do that then Enrique could find it difficult to oust one of Newcastle's biggest stars of the season so far.

Further forward and Mark Viduka reminded Boro what they missed out on with a flash of brilliance to score on his old ground, although Allardyce should seriously think again if he does sanction the sale of Obafemi Martins at some stage this week.

Michael Owen is yet to return to form and full fitness and Martins, who is clearly dissatisfied with the threat to his place from Owen, is a proven goalscorer more than capable of stepping in.

Allardyce must seriously consider the consequences if he is to sell the Nigerian this week. Only time will tell whether or not he does.

The Egyptian had been tormented with anti-terrorist and personal taunts from the Newcastle contingent before he responded in the best way possible just before the half hour.

After Charles N'Zogbia had given Newcastle the lead with a simply stunning right-foot curler into Schwarzer's top corner after 22 minutes, Mido hit back just six minutes later.

The £6m man from Tottenham latched onto the bright Fabio Rochemback's through ball to pull Boro level for a first time.

After turning to the Geordie followers and putting his finger to his lips he was duly booked for his celebration by referee Mike Dean, although the fact he had revived Boro hopes made up for that.

The likelihood of this being a goalscoring affair was always strong, given how neither side boast exceptional defensive records.

Middlesbrough have still not managed a clean sheet on home soil since December 23, while Newcastle have now gone 15 away games in the league since keeping the opposition's strikers at bay.

And although Middlesbrough will be happy to have clawed themselves back from defeat twice, Newcastle can declare they have still not suffered back to back reversals at the Riverside.

Woodgate passed a late fitness on the Riverside turf just hours before the 118th competitive Tees-Tyne derby and the former Newcastle man was asked to keep a tight rein on his old Boro team-mate Viduka.

It was not just the defensive prowess of Woodgate, making his first appearance since May after knee surgery, that Viduka had to contend with.

The expected barrage of expletives arrived when he walked off the team coach and they followed the Australian around the Riverside throughout the afternoon.

And, although he would not care to admit it, there was certainly a sense of anxiety in his play, which allowed Woodgate to enjoy the upper-hand over a former colleague on Teesside and at Leeds for most of the encounter.

On the one occasion he provided something memorable in an eventful, although evenly contested first period, Viduka's pass from just inside his own half down Middlesbrough's left hand side could have led to the visitors opening the scoring.

Martins' electric pace ensured that he latched onto possession before his marker Andrew Taylor. The Nigerian, however, failed to compose himself and wasted the first decent opportunity of the match just after quarter of an hour.

Martins, who scored two in the season opener at Bolton, was not the only player on the pitch whose aim was proving wayward, with Fabio Rochemback showing his own need for shooting practice.

Rochemback, in action for the first time this season after serving a three game suspension, frustrated at times with a tendency to give possession away cheaply, but he was also at the centre of almost everything Middlesbrough.

There was nothing off-beam about N'Zogbia's moment of magic, however. There had been plenty of effort without seriously testing either Schwarzer or Steve Harper.

And there was little Schwarzer could do when a first decent effort came his way, in the shape of a pure gem from Newcastle's little Frenchman.

N'Zogbia, the subject of interest from Fulham ahead of the closure of the transfer window on Friday night, is fast becoming the answer to Newcastle's left-back problems, even with £6m signing Jose Enrique waiting in the wings.

Going forward the normally creative midfielder was outstanding and his opening goal was breathtaking. After being fed the ball out wide by Alan Smith, N'Zogbia's drag back took him inside George Boateng and his right-foot conjured up a precise curler into Schwarzer's top left corner.

Middlesbrough enjoyed plenty of play but it was not until Newcastle had taken the lead that Gareth Southgate's men showed signs of fulfilling the attacking potential he feels his side has.

Rochemback, illustrating why Southgate is keen to retain his services, brought a loose, high ball under instant control and deceived the attentions of Smith.

Having worked his way free of the former Boro target in the centre of the field, the South American chipped a neat through ball over the top of the Newcastle defence.

Mido, proving too powerful for Steven Taylor, chested down before rounding Harper and applying the finish into the empty net.

Towards the end of the opening half Middlesbrough threatened more and Harper had to make an exceptional stop to deny Arca, whose low strike looked destined for the bottom corner.

And evidence that Middlesbrough had gained the initiative was the way Allardyce abandoned his preferred three-pronged attack after the restart for the more orthodox 4-4-2 system.

It was a change that had the desired affect and Viduka's goal could have arrived earlier that it eventually did, when his outstretched boot under the close attention of Wheater was just short of N'Zogbia's centre.

But the unpredictable striker was not to be thwarted for much longer.

Three minutes after Boro's battle plan had to be changed when Aliadiere was forced to make way for Tuncay Sanli through injury, Viduka's moment arrived.

The other former Middlesbrough man on show, Geremi, crossed into the six yard area. Viduka brought the ball under control with his knee, held off the presence of Woodgate for the first time, and turned on the half volley.

Given the timing, it could and should have been the winner. Instead, just as in the first half, Middlesbrough's response was emphatic and to the point.

Having quickly forced a corner, Newcastle half cleared to the lurking figure of Rochemback on the edge of the area. His chip back into the area was headed out by Smith as far as Arca.

The little Argentine had the space to chest and instantly strike the low, left-foot equaliser into Harper's far corner. Neither club could complain about the result.

Watch the match highlights from Monday, August 27