Premierleague.com rifles through the annals of the Barclays Premier League to find significant events.
On this day: 15 March 2003: Leeds United 2-3 Middlesbrough
Juninho compounded Leeds United’s poor week when he inspired Middlesbrough to victory at Elland Road.
Six days after having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United Terry Venables saw his side’s status in the Barclays Premier League further endangered by this defeat.
The match had started well, with Mark Viduka, who went on to play for Boro, opening the scoring midway through the first half. But Massimo Maccarone levelled the match with a penalty he had won from a foul by Lucas Radebe. Steve McClaren’s side went into the break in the lead thanks to Juninho’s rasping strike and the deficit was doubled by Geremi’s lob over Paul Robinson in the 64th minute.
Viduka gave Leeds hope after Mark Schwarzer spilled James Milner’s shot but they could not salvage a point.
Despite the defeat dropping them to 16th Leeds did enough to avoid the drop, while Boro’s hopes of UEFA Cup qualification that were briefly ignited by this victory came to naught and they finished 11th.
VIDEO: Watch Juninho in action for Middlesbrough >>
