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Middlesbrough 0-0 Newcastle United
Match Reports, 17:05, November 29, 2008 ,
Afonso Alves came closest to ending the stalemate as Middlesbrough and Newcastle played out a dismal 0-0 draw in the Tyne-Tees derby.
In the first half neither side looked like breaking the deadlock with speculative long-range efforts from Middlesbrough duo Stewart Downing and Julio Arca all either side had to show for their efforts.
Thankfully the second period was a livelier affair with both sides ignited by a raucous Riverside crowd who did not allow their spirits to be dampened by the appalling weather conditions.
Garerth Southgate's Brazilian hitman Alves has received his share of criticism this week but he looked most likely to find the net all afternoon. Unfortunately, for much of the game his shooting was - at best - wild as he spurned a number of glorious opportunities.
However, when the former Heerenveen striker eventually managed to hit the target, and beat Shay Given, he found the imposing figure of Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong in the right place, at the right time to head his effort off the line.
Joe Kinnear introduced former Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka in the closing stages and the Australian had the Magpies best chance in the closing stages only to see his half-volley turned over the bar by in-form Boro' keeper Ross Turnbull.