Hopes go Down the pan for Coleman
STEWART DOWNING rescued Boro boss Aitor Karanka from potential embarrassment with a reminder he is still a class act.
The winger’s future has been thrown into doubt lately as he has been forced to fight for his place.
But with Premier League Boro struggling to break down battling Accrington – the lowest-ranked league side left in the FA Cup – Downing struck in emphatic fashion in the 69th minute.
Karanka, who expects the playmaker to remain at The Riverside, said: “I told him at half-time he was one the best players on the pitch.
“When he is on the pitch, he shows he wants to play. I showed I trust him and when I can give him a chance, I will.”
Karanka rapped Boro fans for an “awful atmosphere” in the 3-1 home defeat by West Ham a week earlier but added: “It was good this time. Nobody is going to put me against my crowd.”
Boro lost left-back George Friend to a calf injury after just nine minutes and had to wait until the 18th for their first chance, Viktor Fischer knocking the ball just wide following Downing’s free-kick.
Patrick Bamford, making his first Boro start since a £6million move from Chelsea, shot wide on 36 minutes.
But Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, on his first appearance this season, had to deny Sean Clare at his near post.
When the breakthrough came, Downing worked his way into a shooting position before unleashing a blistering left-foot blast into the top corner of the Accrington net.
League Two Stanley nearly levelled when Sean McConville, who scored against Luton in Round Three, headed just wide.
But keeper Marek Rodak had to defy Rudy Gestede and subs Cristhian Stuani and Adama Traore.
Stuani also blazed over a gaping goal late in the game.
Accrington boss John Coleman said: “We were unfortunate that out of the Premier League teams Middlesbrough picked a stronger side than anyone else will.” The Blues boss said: “Our young players are growing and it is very important to show that all my players are involved in the project. “The FA Cup is a good opportunity to see those who have not played too often – and if they deserve to play I will put them in.” Now, however, Conte has turned his attention on Tuesday’s big Premier League clash at Liverpool. He said: “It is a very important game and we have to continue to keep them at a distance. “We have only two days to prepare for this and it will be very tough. To win at Anfield is never easy and our only defeat this season at Stamford Bridge was against Liverpool.”
Conte admitted he now has a selection problem particularly over where to play the impressive Pedro.
“We are now finding out that he can play in many positions,” he said.
The coach also revealed that he will not stand in the way of Asmir Begovic and Branisav Ivanovic if they want to move.
On Ivanovic he said: “He is not playing a lot for us and when you are not playing