Boro Robbed With Penalty That Never Was!

Last updated : 21 December 2008 By Boro Mad
Middlesbrough have not won for six games but Gareth Southgate refused to say Stroud's penalty decision cost us the match.

Roy Hodgson: "I wasn't jumping in the air and screaming penalty. It was one of those decisions that can go either way and perhaps they do even themselves out over the season."

Gareth Southgate: "I think we were second best in every department.

"It was an uncharacteristic performance from us which is unacceptable.

"We knew coming to Fulham that they are very strong defensively and they pass the ball well.

"The first goal was always going to be crucial and we conceded a poor one, we conceded poor goals on the day. Our quality in the final third wasn't good enough.

"We tried to change it at half-time and looked a bit brighter for a spell.

"But then the second goal kills the game. That was a big decision that has gone against us for the third week running.

"But I've said to the players we can't hide behind that. We were not good enough. We can only affect ourselves but I do think it was an unbelievable decision. I just don't know what he is supposed to do to get out of the way of it.

"He attempts to clear the ball, it hits Zamora who is a yard away from him and it bounces up and hits him on his hand. It is a staggering decision to be honest.

"Everybody can see the decision for themselves, it shouldn't need me to comment on it. But it was amazing."

Barclays Premier League, Saturday, 20th December 2008 @ 15:00; Craven Cottage
Click for Fulham squad list
Bullard 41
Murphy 54 (pen)
Dempsey 59
 
Click for Middlesbrough squad list
 Starting Line-ups
1 Schwarzer 7
4 Paintsil 6
5 Hangeland 8
18 Hughes 7
3 Konchesky 7
21 Bullard (Andreasen 85)8
13 Murphy (Etuhu 79)8
23 Dempsey 8
11 Gera (Zamora 31)5
25 Davies 7
8 Johnson 7
 Substitutes
19 Zuberbuhler
22 Stoor
26 Andreasen (Bullard 85)
20 Etuhu (Murphy 79)
10 Nevland
9 Zamora (Gera 31)8
33 Kallio
20Goal Attempts12
14On Target5
6Off Target7
0Hit Woodwork0
6Offsides1
6Corners4
12Fouls7
 Starting Line-ups
21 Turnbull 5
6 Pogatetz 4
29 McMahon 5
14 Huth (Taylor 85)5
5 Riggott 5
20 Arca (Mido 46)4
28 Johnson, A (Emnes 80)6
15 Shawky 4
19 Downing 7
17 Tuncay 5
10 Aliadiere 5
 Substitutes
22 Jones
3 Taylor (Huth 85)
31 Wheater
41 Walker
12 Afonso Alves
9 Mido (Arca 46)6
11 Emnes (Johnson, A 80)
Referee
K Stroud, Hampshire
Attendance
23722
Fulham Cards
(none)
Middlesbrough Cards
Arca38unsporting behaviour
McMahon54unsporting behaviour
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