Championship

NEIL WARNOCK’S Boro put a stop to old pal Mick McCarthy’s winning run at Cardiff.
An inspired – or desperate – last throw of the dice from the bench ensured his Boro side claimed a 1-1 draw to prevent the Bluebirds from making it seven straight victories.

Paddy McNair rescued a point for Middlesbrough against CardiffCredit: Rex Features

After a miserable 3-1 home defeat to Bristol City in midweek, Warnock’s in-form ex-team were arguably the last side the veteran wanted to face next.
But it was Boro who completely dominated the first period only to fail victim to the rope-a-dope tactic moments before the break.
Paddy McNair forced Dillon Phillips to tip over at the back post directly from an inswinging corner.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who had his contract terminated at Cardiff in September after testing positive for cocaine, was let down by his touch after Will Vaulks’ short headed backpass almost proved costly.

Britt Assombalonga was denied at the near post by Phillips after being slipped in by Jonny Howson as Boro desperately tried to make their advantage count.
But they suffered a knockout blow when Vaulks hurled a long throw from the right into a melee of players, only for Sean Morrison to connect last to head home his fifth of the campaign.
It continued to be one-way traffic after the restart with Cardiff happy to sit back as the hosts struggled to find a way through their land of the giants defensive wall.
Warnock was growing more frustrated as his men struggled to lay a glove – but the crafty old-timer showed his former Barnsley boot boy there’s magic left in that old brain.

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Within seconds of introducing Djed Spence and Chuba Akpom off the bench, the former slipped in fellow sub Neeskens Kebano down the right.
Marcus Tavernier blocked a defensive clearance from the winger’s cross as the ball looped up and was flicked on by Akpom for McNair to slide home an equaliser at the back post to Boro’s play-off hopes alive.
Warnock, whose side are five points off the top six, said: “I was ever so pleased with the substitutes, all of them, and we needed that.
“They had a couple of yellow cards so we wanted to put them under pressure. I thought Kebano was really sharp, you don’t want to come up against him in the last 10 minutes.
“Chuba won a couple of great headers.”
McCarthy, unbeaten in nine and two off sixth, said: “I could say their goal was bad luck, but I’d say credit to them They were pressing, they made it happen. 
“It’s not the best game I’ve ever seen. In fact, it was probably one of the worst. But I’m not bothered.
“We’ve come away with a point and that’s what matters in the end – how many points you’ve got.”
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RAFA BENITEZ reportedly turned down the Bournemouth job after quitting China for family reasons.
The Mail claims Benitez, 60, was approached by the Cherries this month after they sacked Jason Tindall.

Rafa Benitez turned down Bournemouth after quitting ChinaCredit: Reuters

The Spaniard was available having just quit Super League side Dalian Pro to be with his England-based family.
Benitez is no stranger to a brutal Championship season, having guided Newcastle to the title in 2017.
But the former Liverpool and Chelsea gaffer turned down Bournemouth’s offer, claiming he did not want to make an immediate return to the dugout.
The Cherries have since made interim boss Jonathan Woodgate their manager until the end of the season.

But Benitez continues to be linked with posts elsewhere.
Reports in January claimed he is wanted by Celtic, who saw Neil Lennon resign from his position this week.
Benitez has also been linked with a return to Napoli, who are running out of patience with Gennaro Gattuso.
However, Benitez is believed to favour a Premier League return – but that does not include former side Newcastle, who are still fighting for survival under Steve Bruce.

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Reflecting on his decision to leave China last month, Benitez explained: “Unfortunately, like so many things in the last year, Covid-19 has changed our lives and our projects.
“From today, both my coaching staff and I will sadly no longer be coaching the Dalian Professional F.C.
“It has been an incredible experience and for this I would like to thank all my staff, coaches, medical and club staff as well as our players.
“Their commitment to us in the first place, their support during the time we were there, and their effort has been magnificent.
“The pandemic is still here, for all of us, and supporting our families has been a priority when making this decision.”

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BOURNEMOUTH’S clash with Watford descended into a chaotic brawl involving two red cards as the Cherries grabbed a narrow win on the South Coast.
Hornets striker Joao Pedro was sent off for a second yellow card after a challenge on Jefferson Lerma deep into stoppage time at the Vitality Stadium.

Both teams were incensed even after the final whistleCredit: PA:Press Association

A number of stars steamed in to get involvedCredit: PA:Press Association

The Colombian then aimed a little shove at Tom Cleverley, with the former Manchester United midfielder not taking too kindly to his antics, with incensed former Cherry Dan Gosling also getting right into the thick of things.
Philip Billing didn’t help the Watford players’ moods, by seemingly laughing at their anguish.
Things swiftly escalated, with pushing and shoving matches breaking out between a number of players on both teams.
And just as things seemed to have calmed down slightly following Pedro’s exit, the handbags flared up yet again, with Jack Wilshere also being shown a second yellow card for his role in the ruckus.

The former Arsenal star had seen the red mist, steaming in from nowhere to get involved with Cleverley.
Suddenly Gosling was having to play the mediator, as team-mate Ismaila Sarr appeared determined to get to Bournemouth full-back Adam Smith amid the unsavoury scenes.
The bad blood started earlier in the match, when Lerma made a meal of a Nathaniel Chalobah challenge that resulted in the former Chelsea player being booked.
But the midfielder, having since been substituted, appeared to see the funny side of the late events, captured on camera laughing at Lerma’s actions.

Wilshere stormed in to get involvedCredit: Rex Features

There was no thought for social distancing here as players got up close and personalCredit: Rex Features

Jack Wilshere was red carded for his role in the actionCredit: PA:Press Association

Adam Smith was also in the thick of thingsCredit: Rex Features

Joao Pedro’s second yellow sparked the bad blood

Wilshere tweeted after the gameCredit: Jack Wilshere twitter

Among the chaos, Sarr was also shown a yellow card for his role in the drama.
After the game, Wilshere tweeted: “Big 3 points. Sometimes it’s not pretty but we will fight together for every single point from now until the end of season! Well done lads 🍒🍒@afcbournemouth”.
The late madness overshadows what is a huge victory for new Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate.
Appointed until the end of the season this week following an interim spell, the former England defender was desperate to get his side’s promotion aspirations back on track following a turbulent run of form.
The Cherries had fallen 11 points behind the third-placed Hornets going into their meeting, and had fallen out of the play-off spots altogether.
But Arnaut Danjuma’s tight near-post finish in the 61st minute earned a huge three points, seeing them leapfrog Cardiff City and Reading into fifth.

Route 1⃣Bournemouth have the lead as Arnaut Danjuma gets in behind to coolly finish!📺 Watch Bournemouth v Watford live on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/FokPSMz38P
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 27, 2021

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DERBY striker Colin Kazim-Richards was racially abused on social media and had to explain the sick messages to his kids.
The forward scored a late equaliser in the Rams’ 1-1 home draw with bitter rivals Forest on Friday night and was sent vile words after the match.

Derby striker Colin Kazim-Richards was racially abused after their draw with Nottingham ForestCredit: Rex Features

Manchester United loanee James Garner scored his first professional goal to give Forest a 34th minute lead at Pride Park.
But one goal was not enough and Kazim-Richards thundered the equaliser past Forest keeper Brice Samba with just six minutes of normal time remaining.
However, County’s joy was marred by the abuse after the game.
A Derby statement read: “Derby County Football Club is disgusted to have learned that one of its players has been racially abused via social media.

“It was brought to the club’s attention on Saturday morning that Colin Kazim-Richards had received racially abusive messages via his social media platforms.
“The abuse received by Colin resulted in him having to have a conversation with his young children to explain why, in this day and age, racism and discrimination still exists.
“It should be clear, there is no place in sport or society for racism.
“Derby County has a zero-tolerance stance to discrimination and prejudiced behaviour and the racial abuse has been reported to the relevant authorities.

“Social media abuse is, sadly, becoming more common and it is all too easy for individuals to hide behind an account. This cannot continue.
“The club has a long-standing commitment to striving for equality and diversity, not only in football but in society, and strongly supports several nationwide campaigns as well as staging its own work in the local community.
“We are united in celebrating our diversity and we stand proudly with Colin, and all our players, to make it categorically clear that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
The news comes just weeks after Man Utd star Marcus Rashford spoke out after similar abuse in the wake of his side’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal.
And earlier this month police were involved after Southampton’s teenage star Alex Jankewitz, 19, was also racially abused after being sent off at Old Trafford.
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COLIN KAZIM-RICHARDS snatched Derby a point with six minutes left as Wayne Rooney took charge of his first East Midlands derby.
Forest were looking comfortable after James Garner scored his first senior goal by firing them into a 33rd-minute lead.

Colin Kazim-Richards produced a late rocket to save Derby against rivals ForestCredit: PA:Press Association

James Garner had given Nottingham Forest the lead in the first halfCredit: Rex Features

And a solid disciplined Forest performance looked to be rewarded before Kazim-Richard belted home a leveller.
The striker had only just signed a new contract extension earlier in the day.
But Forest retain the Brian Clough Trophy – which the two clubs play for each time they play – after stretching their unbeaten run over Derby to eight games.
That is the longest stretch without winning over their foes.

Both clubs have been in good form and hoisted themselves away from the relegation zone.
The Rams went into the game on the back of six wins out of their previous eight – while Forest had won four out of six.
Derby set the tone early with Martyn Waghorn getting a cross in which was easily mopped up by Joe Worrall.
Rams striker Kazim-Richards was kicking himself after straying offside after getting into a great position to meet a Nathan Byrne cross.

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Matt Clarke surged forward for the Rams from central defence but as he approached the Forest area his slide-rule pass was awful and it went behind for a goalkick.
Forest were looking to get Freeman and Anthony Knockaert into the game as much as possible to create something magical.
Yuri Ribeiro went down screaming after a tackle from Jason Knight – but replays showed the very slightest of contact.
Derby should have moved in front when Graeme Shinnie saw his drive parried by Brice Samba.
The ball eventually found its way to Martyn Waghorn, whose follow-up effort was blocked by Ribeiro.
Rams appealed for a penalty and replays clearly showed that Waghorn’s effort had been blocked by Ribeiro’s arm.
VAR would have awarded the penalty.
And from the resulting corner, Knight had a golden chance to net but blazed over from close range.

Kazim-Richards unleashed his thunderbolt with just six minutes remainingCredit: Rex Features
But it was Forest who took a 34th-minute lead against the run of play.
After a cleared visiting corner, Filip Krovinovic punted a diagonal ball forward, Worrall was able to headed the ball unchallenged across for Manchester United loanee James Garner to hit the ball home from 15 yards.
Marshall really should have done better though.
Moments after Cafu was somewhat fortunate that referee Oliver Langford did not see him subtly kick Waghorn off the ball – after being clattered by the Derby ace.
Forest were causing a lot of panic in the Rams box with their direct football using Worrall as a target man.
Derby were dealt a blow when keeper David Marshall – holding his back – had to come off and was replaced by Kelle Roos. That may have explained by he was sluggish in his effort to save the goal.
And the Rams back-up keeper was called into action when Garner’s snap-shot saw him save at the second attempt with Murray ready to pounce.
After the break when Forest won a free-kick just inside the Derby’s half, Garner spotted Roos off his line so went for goal – but he got it horribly wrong sending it very high and wide.

Wayne Rooney’s Rams remain two points behind the Tricky TreesCredit: PA:Press Association
The Rams had a great chance to level when Knight passed the ball into the path of Kasim-Richards – but his shot flashed wide.
Forest broke forward and Krovinovic released Luke Freeman on the left but his shot was deflected wide.
Richards was denied what was looking a certain leveller by a superb goal-saving tackle Ribeiro just as he was about to pull the trigger following a Louie Sibley pass.
Murray – who put in yet another great shift up top – was replaced with Lyle Taylor with 20 minutes left.
Sibley was brilliant for the Rams and he did well doubling up with Lee Buchanan to dispossess Knockaert.
But the clearance only fell as far as Luke Freeman, whose shot sailed over the bar.
But Derby levelled when Lee Gregory’s punt forward hit Kazim-Richards on the back before Tobias Figueiredo made a hash of his clearance.
The ball fell back to Kazim-Richards who thumped home a brilliant goal to earn a share of the spoils – although Gregory could have won it but fired wide from Patrick Roberts’ cutback late on.
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NIGEL PEARSON has the Robins rocking again as Bristol City ended a run of seven defeats by thumping Middlesbrough 3-1.
The newly-appointed 57-year-old watched from the Riverside stands as caretakers Keith Downing and Paul Simpson took charge for the final time.

Famara Diedhiou got Nigel Pearson off to a flyer in charge at Bristol CityCredit: Rex Features

The new Robins boss watched from the stands as they trashed Middlesbrough 3-1Credit: PA:Press Association

Now Pearson, who once famously fought off a pack of wild dogs on a mountain, will be chomping at the bit to get to work as City ravaged play-off chasing Boro.
They went straight for the throat, and after several snarls, they finally bit on 21 minutes.
Famara Diedhiou had already forced Marcus Bettinelli into a super stop before he headed home Adam Nagy’s cross.
City smelt blood and soon doubled their advantage.

Tyreeq Bakinson fed Nakhi Wells and he cut inside two to slip the ball in for Diedhiou to slot home his second.
Despite the mask covering his face, there was no hiding Pearson’s joy as he watched on from the stands – even taking his glasses off perhaps in disbelief at what he was seeing.
And he must have thought he was in dreamland as his team went for the jugular again and made it three before the break.
Diedhiou brilliantly held off Dael Fry to head on for Wells to flick past Jonny Howson and race clear on goal to finish past Bettinelli – who may well have done better without the invisible bungee rope attached to his back.

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Far from the ruthless Boro that won at Reading on Saturday, they were more like scared and toothless puppies.
Paddy McNair’s blocked effort on the line the only thing they had to bark about.
Warnock threw on Nathaniel Mendez-Laing for the restart – but it was a miracle they needed after a dreadful opening.
Despite Fry pulling one back from close-range late on, there was not a messiah in sight for Boro, although City fans may feel they now have theirs.

Dael Fry pulled one back for Boro against Bristol City late on
Downing said: “Nigel was introduced to the players this afternoon at the hotel and obviously spoke some wise words. He also came down at half time to give some advice. 
“The players responded well and now we have to take that forward.
“There are still a number of games left and we have to finish as strongly as we can.”
Warnock said: “I said at half time the score is embarrassing and I wanted them to win the second half. It was better.
“Our front three were really good at Reading but they were a waste of time in the first half. It’s so frustrating for me.”

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