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Middlesbrough 0 Sheffield United 0

AS season openers go this was decent with both sides committed and Boro lacking only in firepower, writes GORDON COX from the Riverside.

The pre-season form of Rhys Williams earned him a place from the start for the first time, partnered in midfield by Didier Digard in a side captained by Robert Huth.

Two of the summer signings, Danny Coyne and Mark Yeates, started, while Leroy Lita, who has had no pre-season preparation, was on the bench.

The Boro fans were in great voice before the game, displaying terrific support from all parts of the ground, the South Stand excepted, of course.

As both sides lined up on the edge of the centre-circle to prepare for a minute's silence in respect of Sir Bobby Robson, fans from both sides took matters into their own hands and started singing and shouting the legend's name before the referee signalled the official start.

It was a touching moment, a terrific tribute and one worthy of the man himself.

There was a pacey start to the game, with United attacking the North Stand and creating a chance with just over 90 seconds played as Keith Treacy volleyed low from the edge of the penalty area, forcing a smart stop from Coyne, who must have seen it late through a crowd of bodies.

It was an energetic opening on a warm night and the pace continued relentless, but much of the play was neither subtle nor decisive.

United adopted a direct approach, with Nick Montgomery making his presence felt in most of the Blades' patterns. Howver, Huth and Co stood firm.

They were forced to scramble reinforcements with just over 20 minutes played as a lofted ball into the penalty box fell for Stephen Quinn, but somehow Boro's massed ranks bundled clear.

The break was quick and decisive as Adam Johnson tore through the middle and linked up with Yeates. The move ended with a misunderstanding between the pair but showed promise.

Just past the midpoint of the first half Yeates found himself in a central position 20 yards from goal and his fiercely struck low drive brought a flying save from Mark Bunn, one of United's summer acquisitions, and with it came Boro's second corner of the game.

Boro were getting the better of the game by this stage, growing into it more effectively than their opponents.

A glorious crossfield ball from Yeates picked out Johnson hugging the left touchline just over halfway inside the United half. A dart inside brought anxiety in the Sheffield rearguard, but Emnes wanted too many touches after receiving the ball on the edge of the area and the chance was lost.

A quick break down their left served to remind Boro that United were a capable force and Coyne saved well away to his left as Quinn shot for goal from an angle 14 yards from the goal line.

The visitors took heart from the chance and when the ball ran free to Ryan France he caused problems with a low drive across the face of goal.

Johnson and Yeates were mobile, switching wings to good effect, and when Johnson danced in from the right and towards the goal line, Boro fans moved to the edge of their seats, but he ran out of options and Bunn palmed away a shot from a near impossible angle.

Three minutes from half-time Gareth Southgate was forced into making a change when Digard walked tenderly off with what looked like a recurrence of groin problems and was replaced by Gary O'Neil, who took the field to generous applause.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 0 Sheffield United 0

There was no let up of pace as the second half got into stride. Coyne saved well as Brian Howard shot low from 25 yards and United were lucky not to concede a penalty when Johnson was brought down.

It was more even affair for the opening 15 minutes with Boro enjoying more possession, but United soaking it up without too many problems.

Johnson was a willing outlet, but Southgate's side were not solely reliant on his pace as other options were frequently tried.

Referee Lee Mason won few friends with decisions that seemed to go in favour of the visitors around their penalty area. His job is not to win friends  bt to make the correct decision - and once or twice he might not have done.

Both sides made changes within minutes of each other with Boro fans, still in fine voice, standing to applaud the introduction of debutant Lita.

As the moon rose over the Eston Hills, ruddy orange as if in respect of the iron ore which was once hued to form the foundations of what lay below, the current residents of Teesside bayed for a breakthrough.

Lita showed up well, Johnson continued to be a thorn and Wheater and Huth stood like rocks at the back as the game ebbed and flowed but rendered few direct chances.

Expert opinion

Each game this season we will try to bring a view of the game from an expert. First up is former Boro star Curtis Fleming.

As an opener to the season this was a good game. If matches are played like this every week then the fans will keep turning up. Some people were worried about physicality in this league. Well, Sheffield United are probably the most physical in the division and Boro had no problems there.

Rhys Williams looked good, I was taken with Adam Johnson and Mark Yeates, who I should give Man of the Match, as he's a Dublin boy! But you could choose from any of the three, with maybe a couple more thrown in

Boro looked like they could win at any time, but they need a physical presence up front.

Middlesbrough: Coyne; McMahon, Wheater, Huth (Capt), Grounds, Yeates, Williams, Digard (O'Neil 42), A Johnson, Aliadiere, Emnes (Lita 65). Unused subs: Steele (gk); Hoyte, Taylor, Arca, Franks.

Sheffield United: Bunn; France, Montgomery, Morgan, (Capt), Kilgallon, Taylor, Howard (Evans 68), Treacy (Cotterill 63), Walker, Quinn, Henderson. Unused subs: Bennett (gk); Little, Reid, Bromby, Sharp.

Referee: Lee Mason, Lancashire.

Bookings

Middlesbrough: Williams, 49, foul.

Sheffield United: None

Attendance: 23,541

Conditions: Warm and still

Website Boro Man of the Match: An eye-catching debut from Mark Yeates, Adam Johnson fizzed, Danny Coyne looked good, Rhys Williams can be well pleased, while there was a fine display from what could be a telling partnership this season between Robert Huth and David Wheater, who just edges it this time.