Post by PureOldGold on Jan 24, 2009 18:51:56 GMT -1
Substitute Marvin Emnes' second-half strike saw Middlesbrough overcome Championship leaders Wolves in a tricky tie at Molineux.
Adam Johnson missed several good chances for the visitors before Afonso Alves' classy chip put Boro ahead just before half-time.
Wolves drew level when Sam Vokes headed home David Edwards' cross.
But Dutchman Emnes struck the winner in off the post with seven minutes to go after Stewart Downing's powerful run.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate was forced into an early change at the back when Andrew Taylor appeared to injure his knee in fouling Matthew Jarvis, and was replaced by Tony McMahon.
Wolves more than matched their Premier League opponents in the opening stages with Jason Shackell heading just wide and Kyel Reid's goalbound shot blocked by a Boro defender.
At the other end, Johnson missed several good chances, notably five minutes before the break when after rounding the keeper, he saw his shot cleared off the line by Edwards.
Boro scored shortly afterwards as Tuncay Sanli again split the Wolves defence to set up Alves, who produced a deft finish over the head of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. 606: DEBATE
I think a lot of people thought we would get beat today so it was good to register a win, we just need to take this form into our Prem games.
After the break, Vokes tried his luck from distance, only for his shot to go wide, but just past the hour the Wales international got on the end of Edwards' right-wing cross to head an equaliser into the bottom corner.
Jarvis missed a golden chance to put Wolves ahead after Brad Jones had tipped Andrew Keogh's cross into his path, and four minutes later Boro struck the decisive blow.
Downing's great run set up Emnes, whose low left-foot shot found the back of the net off the post and Hennessey to send Boro into the last 16.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy on his decision to make five changes:
"I think if our aim is to go to Reading and get something, then to have all my team play 90 minutes ahead of playing the most dynamic team in the league - and arguably the best team in the league - would be folly on my part.
"We still tried to win the game. We had three strikers on trying to win the game because we didn't want a replay. But it was not to be.
"We will now play a league game instead of a cup game and that's it. It's all about the league now and we are in a good position."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"I think it is important to win because in the last two years we have made the quarter-finals twice, and it has coincided with our league form improving.
"A lot of people expected us to get turned over and that it would be hard for us to get a result because they have got momentum and a league position and we haven't got that at the moment. But that didn't happen.
"It was a big ask as we had a young side out there but they responded to everything that was thrown at them and that is great credit to the group of players."
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Edwards, Shackell, Collins, Hill, Jarvis (Ebanks-Blake 81), Henry, David Jones, Reid (Kightly 65), Iwelumo (Keogh 52), Vokes.
Subs Not Used: Craddock, Friend, Ikeme, Foley.
Booked: David Jones.
Goals: Vokes 63.
Middlesbrough: Jones, Bates, Wheater, Riggott, Taylor (McMahon 7), O'Neil, Sanli, Shawky (Hoyte 46), Adam Johnson, Downing, Alves (Emnes 70).
Subs Not Used: Porritt, Bennett, Turnbull, Craddock.
Booked: O'Neil.
Goals: Alves 44, Emnes 83.
Att: 18,013
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
Adam Johnson missed several good chances for the visitors before Afonso Alves' classy chip put Boro ahead just before half-time.
Wolves drew level when Sam Vokes headed home David Edwards' cross.
But Dutchman Emnes struck the winner in off the post with seven minutes to go after Stewart Downing's powerful run.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate was forced into an early change at the back when Andrew Taylor appeared to injure his knee in fouling Matthew Jarvis, and was replaced by Tony McMahon.
Wolves more than matched their Premier League opponents in the opening stages with Jason Shackell heading just wide and Kyel Reid's goalbound shot blocked by a Boro defender.
At the other end, Johnson missed several good chances, notably five minutes before the break when after rounding the keeper, he saw his shot cleared off the line by Edwards.
Boro scored shortly afterwards as Tuncay Sanli again split the Wolves defence to set up Alves, who produced a deft finish over the head of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. 606: DEBATE
I think a lot of people thought we would get beat today so it was good to register a win, we just need to take this form into our Prem games.
After the break, Vokes tried his luck from distance, only for his shot to go wide, but just past the hour the Wales international got on the end of Edwards' right-wing cross to head an equaliser into the bottom corner.
Jarvis missed a golden chance to put Wolves ahead after Brad Jones had tipped Andrew Keogh's cross into his path, and four minutes later Boro struck the decisive blow.
Downing's great run set up Emnes, whose low left-foot shot found the back of the net off the post and Hennessey to send Boro into the last 16.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy on his decision to make five changes:
"I think if our aim is to go to Reading and get something, then to have all my team play 90 minutes ahead of playing the most dynamic team in the league - and arguably the best team in the league - would be folly on my part.
"We still tried to win the game. We had three strikers on trying to win the game because we didn't want a replay. But it was not to be.
"We will now play a league game instead of a cup game and that's it. It's all about the league now and we are in a good position."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"I think it is important to win because in the last two years we have made the quarter-finals twice, and it has coincided with our league form improving.
"A lot of people expected us to get turned over and that it would be hard for us to get a result because they have got momentum and a league position and we haven't got that at the moment. But that didn't happen.
"It was a big ask as we had a young side out there but they responded to everything that was thrown at them and that is great credit to the group of players."
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Edwards, Shackell, Collins, Hill, Jarvis (Ebanks-Blake 81), Henry, David Jones, Reid (Kightly 65), Iwelumo (Keogh 52), Vokes.
Subs Not Used: Craddock, Friend, Ikeme, Foley.
Booked: David Jones.
Goals: Vokes 63.
Middlesbrough: Jones, Bates, Wheater, Riggott, Taylor (McMahon 7), O'Neil, Sanli, Shawky (Hoyte 46), Adam Johnson, Downing, Alves (Emnes 70).
Subs Not Used: Porritt, Bennett, Turnbull, Craddock.
Booked: O'Neil.
Goals: Alves 44, Emnes 83.
Att: 18,013
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
