Middlesbrough 1 Derby County 0
FOR the second time this season Tuncay proved the match-winner against Derby County who have now gone 28 games without a win, writes GORDON COX from the Riverside.
Andrew Taylor returned to the starting line-up replacing Robert Huth who missed out through injury. Lee Cattermole also started ahead of Shawky who only returned to training on Thursday after damaging a toe at Arsenal.
There was just one change to the Derby County side from that which narrowly lost to Manchester United last Saturday with former Boro junior Andrew Todd replacing Mark Edworthy.
Conditions played a large part in the opening stages of the game. Strong winds had caused overnight damage to part of the South Stand, part of which was closed for the game. Those winds had abated to a stiff bluster blowing directing from the north come kick-off time.
Goalkeeper Roy Carroll attempted a kicked clearance which just held in the air before blowing back towards him. Boro, with the wind at their backs, started well.
A low cross from Stewart Downing was deflected just wide for what proved to be the first of two corners in quick succession.
They both caused problems, but Carroll was untroubled.
Two comparative lengthy injury enforced delays interrupted any flow there may have been and the game had a scrappy feel.
Conditions continued to make life difficult, but Boro, with Downing providing much quality, were the better side.
The breakthrough came with 31 minutes played as Boro moved down the left. Downing played a short ball in to George Boateng who in turn fed Tuncay who was allowed to run unchallenged along the edge of the penalty area from where he shot low to Carroll's right.
They should have been given an opportunity to make it two when Dean Leacock appeared to manhandle Emanuel Pogatetz off the ball inside the penalty area, but referee Martin Atkinson waved away all appeals.
Approaching the break Boro had what looked another good penalty appeal turned down as Todd appeared to throw Jeremie Aliadiere to the ground.
Half-time: Middlesbrough 1 Derby County 0
Boro started the second half on the attack and Aliadiere, with a low shot on the turn, brought a decent save at his near post from Carroll.
More chances followed as Aliadiere headed wide when unmarked as he met a Gary O'Neil free-kick, while Carroll made a fine save to tip over a sweetly struck 20-yard volley from Boateng.
The flags on the East stand had been standing stiffly in the breeze all afternoon and just past the hour mark heavy snow started to swirl around the stadium.
Boro continued to look the better side, but Derby pressed when they could and it took a fine challenge from Boateng to block a 20 yard drive from Kenny Miller.
Quite what substitutes Hossam Ghaly and Shawky - making his home debut - made of the conditions was difficult to tell, it tends not to snow too much in Cairo.
Aliadiere was set up with a good chance when sent clear by Cattermole, but a low drive was saved by the legs of Carroll whose opposite number, Mark Schwarzer, did really well to gather a low, difficult cross from the left.
As the snow abated and sunshine returned, Derby seemed to pick their game up and Boro started to look a little nervy.
Sun disappear, snow and hail returned and Derby continued to throw themselves into the game. Boro had been forced to reshuffle when Luke Young limped off and the removal of Boateng from midfield to right-back had affected the team.
Gareth Southgate made a double change five minutes from time in an attempt to wrap the game up as Tuncay, to deserved warm applause, and Aliadiere were replaced by Adam Johnson and Afonso Alves.
But the best chance of the second half went to the visitors who squandered a great chance to draw level after 85 minutes.
A good cross from the right picked out Robert Earnshaw unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, but somehow he managed to head wide.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young (Shawky 65), Wheater, Pogatetz (Capt.), Taylor, O'Neil, Boateng, Cattermole, Downing, Tuncay (A Johnson 85), Aliadiere (Alves 85). Unused subs: Turnbull (gk); Grounds.
Derby County: Carroll; Todd,Leacock, Moore, McEveley, Sterjovski (Villa 38), Savage (Ghaly 62), Jones (Pearson 62), Lewis, Miller, Earnshaw. Unused subs: Price (gk); Robert.
Referee Martin Atkinson, Leeds.
Bookings
Middlesbrough Cattermole, 67, foul; Tuncay, 77, handball.
Derby County Savage, 57, foul.
Attendance 25,649
Conditions Changeable between sunshine and snow with a strong blustery wind.
Website Boro Man of the Match George Boateng
