Middlesbrough 3-2 Fulham

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Middlesbrough twice came from behind to inflict a cruel defeat on Fulham.

Collins John's wonderfully executed goal - the striker turned and volleyed in the same movement - had given Fulham an early lead they defended valiantly.

But on 64 minutes James Morrison collected Yakubu's cross and clipped the ball past Tony Warner to equalise.

Fulham regained their lead when Papa Bouba Diop headed in, but Yakubu's disputed goal made it 2-2 and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink drove in the winner.

Fulham will wonder how they they emerged with nothing to show from this game given Brian McBride hit the post when they 1-0 up and the disputed nature of Yakubu's goal.

The visitors were incensed Boro's second goal was allowed, arguing the Nigerian was offside after the ball hit him following Hasselbaink's shot.

Yakubu had slid in to collect Gareth Southgate's cross but he was unable to reach the ball.

Lurking behind the Nigerian was Hasselbaink whose side-footed shot might have missed the target had it not hit the prone Yakubu.

Boro had plenty of possession but until Morrison's goal the home side laboured to create clear openings for Hasselbaink and Yakubu.

When Boro did manage to get in shots and headers they were thwarted by Tony Warner.

The Fulham goalkeeper's best save came when he spooned away the ball after Queudrue sent in a diving header from a Boro corner.

That's exactly the sort of game Boro normally lose or draw at best - great result! From SG Have your say on 606

Early in the second half Hasselbaink briefly glimpsed the Fulham goal, but the Dutchman's fiercely struck shot was blocked by his own team-mate Chris Riggott.

Fulham took the lead on nine minutes when Sylvain Legwinski cushioned a pass to John in the area from a Niclas Jensen throw.

The young Dutch striker controlled the ball on his chest and then swivelled and clipped a volley over Brad Jones' outstretched hand to claim his fourth goal in six games.

On 23 minutes McBride's well directed header went just past the post after Tomasz Radzinski flighted a cross over from the left.

Just past the half-hour McBride almost got on the end of Steed Malbranque's cross when the American popped up again at the far post.

On the hour McBride went agonising close again with a long-range header from Moritz Volz's cross, the American's effort striking the woodwork.

Minutes later Morrison scored his first Premiership goal for Boro, guiding the ball past Warner after collecting a Yakubu cross.

Diop's bullet header from a corner restored Fulham's lead but Boro refused to let their heads drop.

Yakubu's controversial goal levelled the score for a second time and Hasselbaink's precise finish after he cut in from the left sealed an improbable win.

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Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren:
"That game summed up our inconsistency this season, but hopefully this will project us forward.

"We looked fantastic on occasions, but at other times we looked like we would concede goals. It was a massive win.

"I said at half-time we might had to grind out this result. The players showed character and attitude as well as quality at the right time."

Fulham manager Chris Coleman:
"Yakubu's goal was very dubious and that was disappointing but I'm not going to make excuses.

"One of our players asked him (referee Uriah Rennie) and he said he couldn't overrule his linesman.

"We're away and we have to take that into consideration. Maybe if we'd been at home it would have gone for us."

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Middlesbrough: Jones, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue, Parnaby, Morrison, Boateng, Rochemback, Pogatetz (Nemeth 45), Yakubu, Hasselbaink (Doriva 86).
Subs Not Used: Maccarone, Bates, Knight.

Goals: Morrison 64, Yakubu 76, Hasselbaink 84.

Fulham: Warner, Volz, Knight, Goma, Niclas Jensen, John (Helguson 78), Diop, Legwinski, Malbranque, Radzinski, McBride.
Subs Not Used: Batista, Rosenior, Rehman, Pearce.

Booked: Niclas Jensen.

Goals: John 9, Diop 70.

Att: 27,599.

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).