Despite lacking match fitness, Mido was included in place of Yakubu who was dropped from the squad for the game at Fulham. The first substitution of the game came after just eight minutes as referee Lee Mason limped off to be replaced by Andy D'Urso. Middlesbrough came from behind as Mido scored a debut goal, and Lee Cattermole the second as Boro secured their first points with a controversial 2–1 win, as replays appeared to show Fulham were denied a legitimate goal towards the end.