Super Szil punishes sad Mackems

George Boateng failed to shake off an injury so Szilard Nemeth was drafted into a three pronged attack of Nemeth, Maccarone and Joseph-Desire Job. Alen Boksic could only manage a place on the bench.

In a fiercly contested match Boro were streets ahead in all departments. Inspired by Massimo Maccarone up front, tight in midfield and solid at the back with Ugo Ehiogu in outstanding form.

Massimo Maccarone fails to connect this time as Phil Babb looks on.

Robbie Stockdale had an early chance but he fired straight at Thomas Sorensen when he was presented with the ball inside the box.

Boro took the lead with just 15 minutes gone. Jonathan Greening played Maccarone up the middle and the Italian fired in a wicked shot that Sorensen couldn't handle. Nemeth anticipated well and was on hand to volley home into an empty net from 10 yards.

Boro continued to dominate and were rewarded with a second goal after 36 minutes. Boro won a free-kick on the right wing and Franck Queudrue fired in a perfect cross to the far post for Maccarone to head home from six yards.

The Mackems rallied and almost got a lifeline they didn't deserve on the stroke of half-time when a Claudio Reyna free-kick was deflected inches past the post.

The second half continued with Boro in control and 20 minutes in the points were made safe.

After a short period of Mackem pressure Boro broke down the left with Maccarone, his pace causing the all sorts of trouble for the Mackem defence. he had no trouble feeding Nemeth on the right who broke clear into the box and deftly flicked the ball into the corner as Sorensen advanced. A classic counter-attacking goal.

From this point the reult was never in doubt and Steve McClaren allowed Job and Nemeth to receive standing ovations as they were replaced with Mark Wilson and Noel Whelan respectively.

A word on Job, he was superb, chasing and harrying the Mackem defence and was unlucky not to be on the score sheet himself with a rasping left foot drive that Sorensen just managed to tip over the bar.

The Boro fans were in fine voice throughout taunting the Mackems with "Can you hear the Geordies sing", "Cheer up Peter Reid . . ." and "Can we play you every week".

There was also some rousing chants for the Boro players with "Ugo Ehiogu, na, na, na ,na ,na", "Super, super Macc . . ." and a new one for me "There's only one Job on Teesside".

This was a great performance, but lets not get carried away, there will be many tougher tests this season. It is however a perfect springboard for Saturdays visit to Goodison Park where Boro will be hoping for some sort of return.