EPL 98/99 - Middlesbrough vs Arsenal
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Transcript
00:00For the 24th 1999 at the Riverside Stadium and defending champions Arsenal
00:04Who'd scored five against Wimbledon the previous week were up against Brian Robson's Middlesbrough
00:09Knowing a win would put them top of the Premiership above Manchester United
00:13Borough though had been rock-solid in recent weeks
00:15They stood seventh in the table and had lost only one of their previous 36 home encounters
00:21Arsenal came into the match unbeaten in 16 Premiership games their last loss coming at Villa Park in December
00:28Borough had Robbie Stockdale returning from suspension Paul Gascoigne and Keith O'Neill were still injured Gary Pallister had recovered from a knock
00:35He'd sustained in the previous match
00:38Nicola Onelka was back in attack for the Gunners. He replaced Dennis Bergkamp
00:43Lee Dixon returned from injury Nelson Vivas made way for him at right-back and Steve Bold came into the side for Martin Keown
00:50Who was suspended?
00:52Your match commentator at the Riverside is Martin Tyler
00:57Oh
01:09David Seaman
01:12Some very senior figures there with Steve Bould in the team today
01:18oldest of the lot at 36
01:21Robbie Stockdale has got his career really ahead of him still a teenager
01:25By the test of him against over Mars though
01:31Manu Petit
01:38Adams
01:41Oh
01:53Over Mars
01:56The one side to beat
01:59Middlesbrough on this ground this season in the league was Liverpool
02:04Back on boxing day
02:06It was the season then rather
02:09ground to a halt and the
02:11Early weeks of 1999, but they picked up very effectively
02:16over the last month or so
02:18do have the
02:20Ambition to qualify for European football next season by the Intertoto Cup
02:25they've got
02:26opposition really from Aston Villa and West Ham
02:30pursuing that particular dream
02:32Dean Gordon voted by the Middlesbrough supporters as their player of the season his first at the club
02:40Touch from Cano Vieira
02:44Okay, didn't get very far
02:53And that's the sort of work that Robbie Musto does so well just winning it back at Middlesbrough didn't build from that
03:01Townsend intervened
03:04by Steve Vickers in the end
03:08Looking to begin with some authority Vieira and Anelka and down he goes
03:14penalty
03:16Foul by Vickers on Anelka
03:19inside the third minute
03:22the acceleration of Anelka
03:24Vickers out
03:28Now who is going to take it? Dennis Bergkamp has been the penalty man with
03:34Mixed results. It has to be said Mark Overmars has scored once on the spot this season
03:39and he steps up
03:41at a vital time
03:43in Arsenal's season
03:45Overmars against Mark Schwarzer
03:47Overmars rather scuffs it in
03:49but in it goes, he puffs out the cheeks in relief
03:51Overmars rather scuffs it in
03:53but in it goes, he puffs out the cheeks in relief
03:55Middlesbrough 0, Arsenal 1
04:01Stockdale, here's Petit
04:04Anelka
04:08Brought back today and making an early impact
04:12Petit
04:17Here's Parler
04:21Kanu likes to just check off from the front and get the ball to fate
04:24he's got a lovely touch
04:26a deft feeling for
04:28those little short passes to
04:31more close colleagues
04:34Overmars, Anelka
04:36Stockdale only gets it as far as Kanu
04:46Quite a good record
04:48in Middlesbrough of Arsenal
04:50they want to keep that going and they've made a
04:52encouraging start
04:59Vieira
05:02Stamped forward by Adams
05:04Anelka on the chase
05:07who does this time start with the ball and the young Frenchman
05:10Overmars
05:13Overmars
05:16Overmars
05:18There goes Dean
05:20he's caught from behind by Lee Dixon
05:28Another sellout crowd
05:30here on Teeside
05:32talking of expanding the stadium
05:35beyond its 35,000 capacity in the near future
05:37such is the demand
05:40Maddison.
05:45Strong work by Vieira, again the crowd didn't like it, the referee didn't mind.
05:49Maddison, Petit.
05:52Winterburn.
05:53There's a late challenge on him.
05:55By Mosto.
06:06Well, Petit was under pressure.
06:08And Winterburn turning.
06:11As if maybe to try and protect himself from Mosto.
06:14He saw him coming in with that foot high.
06:19Mosto.
06:21Dean, Mosto.
06:22Going on again, but Boll repositioned.
06:27They're making it anxious for Arsenal at the back.
06:32The excellent, but elderly, Arsenal back line.
06:38Gordon.
06:39Breaks to Maddison.
06:40Ricard, lovely turn.
06:42Past Tony Adams.
06:43Hamilton, Ricard on a weaving run.
06:45And then it was the feet of David Seaman that came out.
06:49And the outcome is a corner.
06:51Super play from Middlesbrough.
06:54And the best defence in the country, and many would say in European club football.
06:58Looking shaky there.
07:02Townsend with the corner.
07:04And the header from Brian Dean.
07:07Straight at the goalkeeper.
07:10Good delivery.
07:11Excellent leap.
07:14It was too straight from Dean.
07:18Winterburn.
07:26Kanu.
07:27Spent a bit more time and Townsend was prepared to allow it.
07:35Boll using the front of the pitch as well as the outstretched leg to his advantage.
07:41Maddison.
07:42Dean.
07:44Now Townsend.
07:53That's a weak one by Dixon.
07:55Arsenal certainly not on top of their game.
07:57We have to credit Middlesbrough for that.
08:00They look to counter-attack here.
08:02Good work by Parler.
08:03Kanu.
08:04And Elka goes to his left.
08:05Kanu goes for goal.
08:08If you're going to try and place it from that range,
08:10you've got to be a bit more adroit than that.
08:20Here's Dean Gordon.
08:22Really has set the scene for
08:27an excellent contest here.
08:28Arsenal scoring so early.
08:32That's for looking to come out and impose themselves on the match.
08:36And they've done that at times through midfield.
08:38They've forced an Arsenal error.
08:39There have been a number of free kicks against the visiting team.
08:43And Arsenal have lost possession in their own half again.
08:48Stockdale.
08:49Up goes the flag.
08:51And spin away to Winterburn.
08:55And Elka cushioned it well.
09:04It's over Mars.
09:06And that's Elka.
09:09Hit that low and true.
09:11But Mark Schwartz has got down well.
09:13And he's got the ball.
09:14And he's got the ball.
09:15And he's got the ball.
09:16And he's got the ball.
09:17Hit that low and true.
09:18But Mark Schwartz has got down well.
09:29Petit.
09:30Dixon.
09:33Just hesitating with the header.
09:37Horacio is not moving well.
09:40A bit short of centre-backs with Fester.
09:47Madison, and he's shaking his head towards Viv Anderson I think, whether that's to say
10:00whether he want to come off or not, but here's Brian Dean, it's a good try and it almost
10:04took David Seaman by surprise, maybe a little bit of dip because rather than try and catch
10:11Seaman did what looked initially more difficult, got it up and over, it was a decent reach
10:18in the end, but a very good hit by Brian Dean, another reminder that 1-0 may not be enough
10:27this time for Arsenal
10:31Pallister
10:33There's certainly no way Arsene Wenger can be relaxed here, Pat Rice doing the shouting
10:38beyond him, and here is Gordon
10:42Musto, Pallister
10:47headed to Dean Gordon by Adams and Gordon dispossessed by Vieira
10:53for Anelka, great chance for Arsenal, Anelka doesn't waste it
11:028 minutes to go to half time, and Anelka has re-announced his season
11:09involved in both goals here, brought down for the penalty for the first, the second
11:15is his, set up by Vieira, this is a massive blow to Middlesbrough
11:21well, a bit of a rough ride for Brian Robson in this first half
11:33Petit, closed down very quickly by Musto, Petit apologises
11:39Musto is really dallying then
11:44Middlesbrough have a corner
11:54They've got the height of Dean, the height of Ricard, the presence of Gary Pallister
11:59and Vickers coming from way on the far side of the penalty area
12:07until he heads away, Gordon
12:11It's a great try by Dean Gordon and David Seaman who wasn't very far off his line
12:17had to reach virtually along his line to pull off a truly spectacular save
12:23Power, direction
12:28but Seaman stopped it
12:38David Seaman, with bread and butter part of goalkeeping
12:43Ricard, it's a lovely flick, in goes Musto
12:47and it's just going to go right at the post
12:50but it's a moment in keeping with much of what Middlesbrough have done in this first half
12:55and yet they're 2-0 down
12:58It will be Musto deciding in the end to go for goal
13:10Kanu and Elka
13:13Arsenal on the move again
13:16Kanu and Elka
13:19Arsenal on the move again, before half-time, over Mars, Kanu!
13:233!
13:28Well, what a signing he is turning out to be for Arsene Wenger
13:34The manager this week has been pointing out when he's been on the pitch something usually happens
13:39It certainly happened there
13:42And once more, and Elka involved
13:48It's a fine piece of the tackling by Vieira
13:52They hadn't had it all their own way, midfield, Vieira and Petit
13:56But you wouldn't know that from the scoreline
13:58It's Middlesbrough at nil, Arsenal 3
14:07They're underway for the second
14:12The senior citizens of Premier League
14:17defenders
14:19down to business again with a three goal cushion now
14:24and by some eager play
14:27around the Middlesbrough penalty area
14:29Vieira and Elka, Vieira wants it back
14:32and Elka's got other ideas there and gives it to Vieira
14:38That's about a shot
14:41Winterberg
14:44Now over Mars, crowd a bit edgy in these
14:47opening moments at the start of the second half
14:49when you'd see Middlesbrough go biting in the way they did for much of the first half
15:00Vieira
15:06Kanu
15:09Kanu from long range
15:12Kanu from long range
15:24Kinder
15:31Now Parler, and Elka's onside
15:33Alistair tried to put the arm up and work the offside trap
15:37Arsenal could be in again here, it's Mark over Mars
15:40Can he find a shot? He does but he's put it wide
15:45There's no play to try and trap offside and Elka
15:48as he can start his run that much deeper, he's so quick
15:52Over Mars, decided to check back inside
15:58and made space for his shot
16:01but fired it wide of Schwartz's right hand post
16:08Petit
16:10Petit
16:14A brighter period of the afternoon
16:17weather-wise
16:22Petit
16:24There goes Dean Gordon
16:27who can take the fight forward for Middlesbrough here, they're 3-0 down
16:31and Ricard
16:34could have repaired some of that damage
16:36Dean Gordon
16:39not yet played 10 minutes in the second half
16:42Dean Gordon trying to set
16:44an admirable agenda here for Middlesbrough
16:47the danger for them as they press on
16:49is that Arsenal could pick them off
16:51for the tune of more goals
16:59Gordon
17:01bring it on by Brian Dean
17:03Gordon just stooping there
17:06to help the better of Ricard
17:12and Elka, lovely play from Arsenal
17:14Stockdale's playing and Elka onside
17:18Is this going to be number 4?
17:20Over Mars
17:21Vieira, it is number 4
17:30Well Arsenal really enjoying themselves
17:32and after 5 goals on Monday
17:35they've added 4 more here at the Riverside
17:38and helping himself
17:39this time, Patrick Vieira
17:47and Arsenal
17:50are finding the
17:52cutting edge now
17:59very different game
18:01very different from
18:03a long period of play after
18:04Arsenal's early opening goal
18:07and Middlesbrough looked as though
18:08they had the wherewithal to
18:10really make a match of it
18:11Dixon
18:14now it's a damage limitation exercise
18:18and Arsenal
18:19pulling out all the stops
18:20Kanu
18:22oh, wonderful goal
18:235
18:275 for Arsenal again
18:31they are now
18:34murdering Middlesbrough
18:35look at that
18:49Kinder
18:51Adams going in, didn't get there
18:52it was late
18:53and then Dean
19:01Dean did well
19:02Adams
19:03pulled out, free kick to Middlesbrough
19:06Gordon and Ricard
19:10looking at the angles here
19:11Mike Reilly
19:13asking Arsenal collectively to retreat
19:19it's Ricard
19:20and it's hit the post
19:22and it's
19:23not happening
19:24any which way
19:25for Middlesbrough today
19:27top quality free kick
19:28from Hamilton, Ricard
19:31not the better of David Seaman
19:32bounced out off the post
19:33and actually
19:34struck Steve Vickers
19:35who was trying to
19:36follow
19:37it in
19:38and it stays at
19:390-5
19:43Diwara, but he's
19:44played it
19:45loosely
19:46to Armstrong
19:51Musto
19:53time's end
19:54forward in red here
19:55he's trying to win the header
19:57backing up by Musto
19:59still Musto
20:02well you've got to applaud
20:04the attitude
20:05of Middlesbrough
20:07playing in
20:08difficult and distressing
20:09circumstances now
20:11but the
20:13bags of
20:14players
20:15wanting to
20:16force a way
20:17through there
20:18Musto took on the
20:19responsibility
20:21to try and wrap his foot
20:22round it
20:23to challenge David Seaman
20:24with the shot
20:26Armstrong
20:29Armstrong
20:30Armstrong
20:31Armstrong
20:32and it's Ricard, he's got
20:33the better of Adams
20:34was it a foul?
20:36well Ricard
20:38having been booked
20:39now he's suggested
20:41that
20:45Adams was
20:48going to ground
20:49too easily
20:51here's Gordon
20:54he's on the gallop
20:55but
20:56Middlesbrough need to
20:57enough players back further ignominy with Arsenal's cutting edge on the counter-attack
21:03no offside Winterberg possibly handball it's not been given Schwarzer is stranded
21:09Diawara's in the centre, Schwarzer's not stranded he's fought back nobly
21:16and it's a corner definitely the assistant on the far side right to keep his flag down but
21:22and now can lean into that with an arm taken by Ray Parler headed by Dean Dixon
21:32back into the mix and a bit slow to react there Arsenal were even slower
21:38across comes Petit Armstrong settles for the throw Arsenal can regroup 13 minutes left
21:45Gordon Armstrong
21:56by Vieira must have got the ball no complaints from the Middlesbrough fans
22:01on that far side who had a good view of it and Arsenal able to sweep forward again here
22:07Vieira one of two options he chose Kanu he's got Winterberg with him
22:11Anelka, still Anelka, six
22:21and the return of Nicolas Anelka has been very much at the forefront of this extraordinary
22:27Arsenal display Kanu was weaving, so too was Anelka
22:34and misery upon misery for Middlesbrough
22:44this is Diawara he's got Anelka with him is this the hat-trick for Nicolas Anelka
22:51he's still there he's still there Steve Vickers got back to avoid
23:00a place for the time being further embarrassment for Middlesbrough
23:0710 minutes to go
23:10Arsenal absolutely rampant it's too much to take for many Middlesbrough fans who are going home early
23:17that's a mistake by Anelka, Dixon short, Kinder
23:30Salmobel, a bit back at Kinder unfairly free kick to Middlesbrough
23:46Arsenal substitute is 16 years
23:58all defenders love their shutouts just like forwards love scoring
24:04oh a goal for Alan Armstrong so no shutout for Arsenal
24:10Armstrong moved in decisively at the free kick here
24:16and he scores in the Premier League which will mean a great deal personally after a harrowing season with injury
24:23Arsenal are two points clear at the top of the Premier League
24:39a 6-1 win at Middlesbrough a side that have lost only once at home in the league in the last 18 months
24:45well played Arsenal
24:53an astonishing scoreline it has finished Middlesbrough 1, Arsenal 6
24:59the former double winners Arsenal ended the season trophyless but didn't give up their honours without
25:03a fight finishing with the same points and a better goal difference than when they won the
25:07Premiership the previous season Nicolas Anelka proved all that was hoped for on the pitch
25:12scoring 17 goals but was still transferred in the summer Middlesbrough were flirting with a place
25:18in Europe but that game seemed to knock the stuffing out of them