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THE NORTH-EAST SUMMIT - BORO SLIP BEHIND DESPITE HEROIC DRAW 10-4-08
Stuart Young

Alves opens his Boro goal account as they batter Manchester United at the Riverside whilst both Newcastle and Sunderland make it three wins in a row to almost guarantee Premier League survival.

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough lost ground on Newcastle in the race for the summit and were also overtaken by Sunderland. Boro fans will not care though as the team produced one of the best performances of the season against Manchester United last Sunday.

The goal machine was born at the Riverside as Afonso Alves struck two stunning goals against United. They were his first goals in a red shirt and he looked the part as he was a constant threat to the visiting defence for most of the game.

The Boro players produced one of the best performances of the season to draw 2-2 with the League leaders.

United took an early lead through Cristiano Ronaldo but instead of a potential rout being on the cards, Boro responded tremendously and equalised through man of the moment Alves, who struck past Edwin Van Der Sar for his first goal for Middlesbrough.

Boro produced some good chances throughout the game and should have beaten United. When Alves grabbed his second goal of the game, it flattened the visitors as they looked shell shocked in the snow.

Boro should have made it 3-1 soon after but Jeremie Aliadiere and Alves wasted great chances to make the game safe.

United battled back and showed why they are the Champions. They also showed that they are not ready to give up their title easily. Rooney scored a fortuitous leveller for the away side which was tough on the brave Boro side.

If Gareth's team were to play like this every week then they would not be where they currently are in the League. In fact, Boro would be pushing for a UEFA Cup spot.

The pleasing thing for all Boro fans is Gareth Southgate is getting things right both on and off the pitch. It's taken him time but all fans can now see what he is building for the future.

Spurs are Boro's next opponents. Gareth takes his team to White Hart Lane in high spirits following Sunday's game against United. This one should have plenty of goals. Let's hope most of them are scored by Middlesbrough players.

Newcastle

Newcastle United fans witnessed Kevin Keegan's side record a third successive win as their team demolished Reading at St James' Park.

There are lots of smiling Geordies walking around Newcastle at the moment. This is down to Kevin Keegan getting his players to perform on Saturday afternoons. The way they are playing at present is even good enough for a Boro fan to say "they are playing well".

Keegan has sorted out his misfiring strikers over the last few weeks and got them firing on all cylinders now. He has been bold with his decision to play all three of his star strikers and this has been rewarded, with devastating effects.

Reading came to St James' Park on Saturday looking for vital points to confirm their safety in the Premier League. However, they were completely outplayed by an in-form Newcastle side that is full of confidence.

All three of Newcastle's strikers got on the score sheet. Obafemi Martins started the scoring off when he latched on to a Nicky Butt through ball to shoot low past the Reading goalkeeper.

Michael Owen scored just before half-time to make it 2-0. He ran on to a cross from Habib Beye and lifted the ball over the onrushing Marcus Hahnemann.

Mark Viduka got in on the act and scored from close range to make the game safe.

Newcastle never looked threatened by Reading and ran out easy winners, which is a good sign for any team so close to the end of the season.

Kev's team are now safe from relegation and will now be looking to cement a top half position. They will be hunting down Spurs and West Ham for tenth spot.

Keegan takes his side to the south coast on Saturday to play FA Cup finalists Portsmouth. He will be hoping his side continues their good run of form. This game will be tough despite Portsmouth players having one eye on the Cup final.

Sunderland

Roy Keane's men showed why they should be playing Premier League football next year by sweeping aside a poor Fulham side at Craven Cottage last Saturday.

Like Newcastle, Sunderland also made it three-in-a-row with consecutive wins against Aston Villa, West Ham and Fulham.

Keane's men travelled to London with lots of confidence and carried on their good recent form by beating a doomed Fulham by three goals to one.

An impressive Danny Collins opened the scoring for Sunderland. He put his side in front just before half-time with a headed goal from a Daryl Murphy cross.

The Sunderland players had to resist a lot of pressure at the beginning of the second half but weathered the storm before extending their lead through half-time substitute Michael Chopra, who lobbed the Fulham goalkeeper after latching on to a headed flick-on by Kenwyne Jones.

Fulham struggled to get back into the game after Sunderland's second but were given a small glimmer of hope when David Healy curled in a wonderful strike from the edge of the box to make it 2-1.

Keane ordered his team to push for a third rather than to sit back and defend their crucial lead. Roy Keane's tactics paid off soon after as Jones rifled in the third to make the game safe for the visitors.

In recent weeks, Sunderland have been slowly climbing the league through gritty performances and a little luck along the way. They are now very much safe and Sunderland fans will be looking forward to another season in the top flight.

Manchester City visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday and Roy Keane will be looking for his team to secure their fourth consecutive win in the League.

With five games remaining it looks like the race for the North-East Summit is going to go right down to the wire. Newcastle head the race closely followed by Sunderland and then Boro. Exciting times.

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