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THE NORTH-EAST SUMMIT - BORO HIT BY FANTASTIC FOUR 31-10-07
Stuart Young

Manchester United turned on the style against a struggling Boro side and smashed them 4-1 at Old Trafford. Sunderland managed to get out of jail thanks to a late headed goal from Jones against Fulham at the Stadium of Light. The Magpies were shot down by Reading who beat them 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

Middlesbrough

When Manchester United are in the mood to play free-flowing majestic football then no team in the world can match them, not even a struggling Middlesbrough side that showed moments of magic themselves.

United's youngsters are becoming a force in the Premier League and it will take a lot to stop these hungry kids as they hunt for more trophies and records this season.

Boro welcomed back Aliadiere to the side, which boosted the fire-power in attack. This gave a short of confidence Boro side a lift and they managed to score after only six minutes at Old Trafford. Unfortunately United had already taken the lead thanks to a thunderbolt from Nani three minutes earlier.

Southgate can take some positives from what was in reality a game Boro were never likely to get anything from. They played good football in the first half and at the start of the second half. If it wasn't for the silly mistakes and wonder goals, there might have been a different outcome to the game.

Can the Boro boys lift themselves after this?

"Yes" is the answer. The injured players are close to full fitness again and soon there could be smiles on Teesside.

I mentioned last week that it would be a good idea to recall AJ from Watford as his no-fear attitude would give the team the spark they are missing. Gareth is considering recalling the twenty-year old in the next couple of weeks.

A home game against Spurs awaits on Saturday and this is billed as the toughest game for Boro so far as both teams are struggling.

Tottenham have acquired a new manager, and a very expensive one at that, whilst rumours of an assistant for Southgate are flying about.

Earlier this week I heard that Paul Jewell was in the frame to be Gareth's mentor for the remainder of the season. If this rumour turns out to be true then it is looking like we have already resigned ourselves to being in a relegation dog-fight.

This could be seen by many as a negative move. The more positive approach would be to spend some money in January on a goal-scorer.

Sunderland

The home crowd on Saturday witnessed Fulham dominate a lazy Sunderland side and in the first half they went 1-0 down thanks to a superb free-kick from Simon Davies. Just like Boro, Sunderland were undone by a wonder goal which came from nothing.

Keane must have given the Sunderland players a good telling off at half-time but for the majority of the second period this seemed to have no affect.

With a quarter of the game remaining Sunderland went down to ten men as Halford was sent off for two yellows.

This must have given the home side the lift they needed because they battered the Fulham defence for the last fifteen minutes and got the leveller through Jones, nodding for his fourth goal of the season.

At least Sunderland didn't give up on this one and they really made Fulham struggle at the end. It was a point well earned for both teams.

Keane was quick to comment after the game on Saturday, particularly regarding their disappointing first half display. He also said that their passing wasn't up to scratch. He was pleased with the second half though and felt his side deserved a share of the points.

Sunderland now face a tough trip to Manchester City on Monday evening. Roy Keane will almost certainly get a good reception from the home fans and there could well be some fireworks that night.

Newcastle

No matter who is in charge of Newcastle United, the Jekyll and Hide scenario seems to haunt them season after season.

I must admit that Allardyce has got himself a good squad of players and when all are fully fit, Newcastle are a team that can challenge for European qualification through the league.

But to achieve this, first they need to be beating the likes of Reading away. Reading had the majority of the possession on Saturday and Newcastle rarely mounted a challenge on the home side's defence.

'Shambolic' was one of the words used to describe how Newcastle defended on Saturday.

Allardyce really needs to get his side picking up some consistency this season because if they do they will be a force to contend with. They may even be able to upset a few of the big boys in the league.

The Magpies welcome the physical power-house that is Portsmouth to St James' Park this Saturday. They will be looking for three points but with Allardyce unsure of his best starting line-up, this one could turn out to be a very tough game.

Newcastle remain out in front on seventeen points, whilst Sunderland managed to edge in front of Boro by a point with that well earned draw against Fulham. It's close though.

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