CITY STILL UP FOR A LAUGH

Last updated : 16 May 2005 By editor

From PA:

'Robbie Fowler missed an injury-time penalty as Manchester City's UEFA Cup dream was shattered at Eastlands.

A Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thunderbolt had given Boro the lead in the first-half, but Kiki Musampa equalised just a minute after the break. In a last ditch effort, City boss Stuart Pearce substituted Nicky Weaver on for Claudio Reyna and put David James up front. But although City were awarded a last-gasp spot-kick, Mark Schwarzer saved it and City were thwarted.

It was a devastating blow for Fowler, and for Pearce, whose side’s attacking philosophy was the exact opposite of Boro’s negativity.

Rob Styles delivered his first time-wasting warning after just 13 minutes, although once the midway point of the opening period was reached, next week’s FA Cup final referee was kept busy handing out a succession of yellow cards that does not bode well for the fractious duel anticipated at the Millennium Stadium.'