Papers Bow To King Tuncay
The Press have been falling over themselves to heap praise on Tuncay after his wonder winner at Derby. Read on for our full round up.News of the World: Boro’s victory over Arsenal has certainly improved the self-belief in Southgate’s squad and they could easily have won by a bigger margin and further dented Derby’s already comical goal difference.
Mail on Sunday: Derby look dead and buried after Middlesbrough sentenced them to a seventh successive league defeat.
Sunday Express: After beating Arsenal and Derby in successive games Boro are removing themselves from the relegation battle, thanks to a man who went three long months without a goal at the start of his career on Teesside.
The People: Matt Oakley lost possession just inside the Boro half, allowing David Wheater to hoof a hopeful pass forward. Stewart Downing was first to react and delivered a superb first-time cross to find the lurking Tuncay, who guided a sublime left-footed volley past the helpless Stephen Bywater.
Daily Express: Stewart Downing’s cross was pure perfection and Tuncay’s volley exquisite.
Sunday Sun: It was laid on by Stewart Downing, who will receive few plaudits but deserves more, as does Mark Schwarzer. Perhaps surprisingly preferred to Ross Turnbull, who has deputised admirably, the Aussie played with a protective strapping on his broken finger, but you would not have known. He was as sound as ever, and commanded his area when Boro were most under pressure.
Times: Immediately after Tuncay’s goal Kenny Miller struck a post, but there was little other threat from Derby as Middlesbrough, for whom Boateng headed against the woodwork and Jeremie Aliadiere wrongly had a goal disallowed, left the home side six points adrift.
Observer: Tuncay displayed another of his assets when gliding through from midfield before releasing Downing, whose low shot demanded an excellent save from Stephen Bywater. George Boateng also hit a post and apart from a Kenny Miller effort on the turn which grazed an upright, Middlesbrough were always the more likely in front of goal.
Daily Star: Gareth Southgate went looking for a star in the East and ended up discovering a king.
Daily Mirror: Three goals in three games have cemented Tuncay’s place in the affections of his adoring Middlesbrough subjects. After the final whistle at Pride Park, they chanted his name with a passion last seen when a little Brazilian called Juninho was top dog on Teesside.
Independent: Tuncay, an exiled “King of Istanbul” in his manager’s words, took another step towards providing Boro’s cutting edge by striking the terrific winner that established further breathing space between his side and the relegation places they inhibited two weeks ago.
Daily Telegraph: If he maintains the progress of recent weeks he could become one of the bargain buys of the season.
Independent on Sunday: It was good to see a bright young manager getting some results and equally encouraging that the chairman, Steve Gibson, should have been as supportive of him as he was withering of Southgate’s predecessor Steve McClaren in a recent interview.
Sunday Times: But the afternoon belonged to the Turkish striker who plays with such joy. We may forget the day, but the memory of Tuncay’s moment shall remain for some time.
Sunday Telegraph: That was his third goal in three games and, as Gareth Southgate pointed out, it has earned Boro points each time.
Man of the Match
Sunday Times: Tuncay
Sunday Express: Tuncay
Observer: Tuncay
Independent on Sunday: Tuncay
Sunday Mirror: Tuncay
Daily Star Sunday: Tuncay
News of the World: Tuncay
People: Tuncay
Independent: Tuncay
Daily Mirror: Tuncay
Mail: Tuncay
Sunday Sun: Stewart Downing
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