2007/08 FA Premier League: Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal
{{date|December 9, 2007}}
{{footballbox|
date = <small>December 9, 2007 <br>13:00<br>(UTC)</small> |
team1= [[w:Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] |
score= 2 – 1 |
team2= [[w:Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] |
report= |
goals1= Downing {{goal|pen 4}}<br> O'Neil {{yel|26}}<br> Rochemback {{yel|57}}<br> Woodgate {{suboff|73}}<br> Huth {{subon|73}}<br> Sanli {{goal|74}}<br> Aliadiere {{suboff|81}}<br> Arca {{subon|81}}<br> Sanli{{suboff|90}}<br> Johnson {{subon|90}} |
goals2= {{suboff|46}} Eduardo <br> {{subon|46}} Bendtner <br> {{yel|51}} Toure <br> {{yel|52}} Clichy <br> {{suboff|60}} Diarra <br> {{subon|60}} Denilson <br> {{suboff|61}} Eboue <br> {{subon|61}} Walcott <br> {{goal|90}} Rosicky |
stadium= [[w:Riverside Stadium|The Riverside Stadium]], [[w:Middlesbrough|Middlesbrough]] |
attendance= 26,428 |
referee= Howard Webb }}

Arsenal failed to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after they suffered their first league defeat of the season at the hands of Middlesbrough. The Gunners got off to the worst possible start after Middlesbrough were awarded a penalty by referee Howard Webb in the fourth minute. Stewart Downing converted it to give Boro the lead. 

Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli sealed the victory for Middlesbrough 16 minutes from time when he shot high into the net. Tomas Rosicky scored a consolation goal for the visitors in the fifth minute of stoppage time but it was Boro's day. The three points meant that they moved out of the relegation zone and into 16th place. At the top Arsenal are now just one point clear of second placed Manchester United after dropping five points in their last two matches.

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7122808.stm|title=Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Arsenal|author=|pub=BBC Sport|date=December 9, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_2909110,00.html
|title=Gunners sink at the Riverside|author=|pub=Sky Sports|date=December 9, 2007}}

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Arsenal failed to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after they suffered their first league defeat of the season at the hands of Middlesbrough. The Gunners got off to the worst possible start after Middlesbrough were awarded a penalty by referee Howard Webb in the fourth minute. Stewart Downing converted it to give Boro the lead. 

Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli sealed the victory for Middlesbrough 16 minutes from time when he shot high into the net. Tomas Rosicky scored a consolation goal for the visitors in the fifth minute of stoppage time but it was Boro's day. The three points meant that they moved out of the relegation zone and into 16th place. At the top Arsenal are now just one point clear of second placed Manchester United after dropping five points in their last two matches.
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