Matchday Memories: On This Day 2000 – See Strachan’s Sky Blues Beat ‘Boro (Ta Robbie & OG)!

In the end the Sky Blues got their win and the corresponding points thanks a goal in each half, but it was not easy. The battle between City’s midfielder (and now CCFPA member) John Eustace and Boro’s Paul Ince was about the only thing to liven up a dire first half!

The Sky Blues iconic and livewire young Irish forward Robbie Keane had a key role in both of our goals. Just after the half hour mark, after a neat one-two, he fired in a shot which ricocheted off the Middlesbrough ‘keeper Mark Schwartzer and then Ince into the net to give the Sky Blues a half-time lead.

Then, a minute after the hour mark he produced a vintage strike capitalising on (now CCFPA member) Noel Whelan‘s through ball and finished off with a trademark somersault.

Only after 2-0 down did the north easterners really start to put their game together and, after 64 minutes, they were offered a lifeline with the award of a penalty kick. Unfortunately John Eustace committed a rash foul on rampaging Andy Campbell in the box and this allowed Christian Ziege to net the resultant spot kick. However, City were able to hold on for the final third of the game and the welcome points were theirs!