Southampton ... 1 Middlesbrough ... 1 Middlesbrough showed real resilience as they held on to a point at Southampton after gifting the home side their goal and having Gianluca Festa sent off 30 minutes from time after his second yellow card in a dour game.
With both sides on identical points and trying to stave off relegation worries, things were expected to be tight. So it came as a pleasant surprise when Southampton took the lead on 38 minutes. Rory Delap went close and Wayne Bridge's low 25-yard shot forced a good save from Mark Schwarzer before new signing Brett Ormerod stole the ball from Ugo Ehiogu deep in the area, pulled it back and Anders Svensson side-footed home.
The visitors equalised 12 minutes after the break. Benito Carbone floated a delightful 30-yard pass over the head of the defender Paul Telfer straight to Noel Whelan wide left of the area. The striker was off balance but managed cleverly to direct the ball home with his outstretched foot.
Guardian Service
SOUTHAMPTON: Jones, Telfer, Bridge, Lundekvam, Williams, Oakley, Marsden, Svensson (Pahars 67), Delap, Ormerod, Davies. Subs Not Used: Moss, Monk, Tessem, Fernandes. Booked: Lundekvam. Goal: Svensson 38.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Festa, Queudrue, Southgate, Ehiogu, Greening, Mustoe, Wilkshire, Whelan, Boksic (Stockdale 62), Carbone. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Nemeth, Windass, Debeve. Sent Off: Festa (61). Booked: Queudrue. Goal: Whelan 57.
Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).
