Viduka On The Double In Boro Win

Qantas Socceroo Mark Viduka joined his fellow national team striker partner Harry Kewell in ending their respective goal droughts, with a brace of goals this morning in Middlesbrough’s 3-2 win over Manchester City at the Riverside.

Qantas Socceroo Mark Viduka joined his fellow national team striker partner Harry Kewell in ending their respective goal droughts, with a brace of goals this morning in Middlesbrough-s 3-2 win over Manchester City at the Riverside.   With Kewell ending his 10-month long drought in Liverpool-s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, Viduka ended his six-week drought with a brilliantly taken double. The relief was evident on Viduka-s face as he opened the scoring after just nine minutes, with a goal that underlined his enormous talent.   Receiving a pass from Stewart Downing, Viduka-s magnificent first touch took him away from two defenders and into the penalty box, before he exquisitely chipped the ball over an onrushing David James.   City equalised before the break with a goal from Robbie Fowler, but Viduka gave Middlesbrough back the lead nine minutes into the second half with another brilliant finish. Playing a one-two with Hasselbaink, Viduka received the return pass and then notchantly curled the ball with the outside of his foot past James.   Hasselbaink then added his own piece of magic with a wonderful finish from a 25-yard free kick, although Boro had to contend with a fast-finishing City side, who pulled a goal back through debutant Bradley Wright-Phillips, the younger brother of England sensation Shaun.   Qantas Socceroo coach Frank Farina will no doubt be hoping his two preferred strikers in the national team can keep a consistent run of goals going, with 2005 set to be a big year, as Australia looks to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.   In other Aussies Abroad news, Jason Culina scored his 10th goal of the season for Dutch Eredivise side Twente Enschede. The former Sydney Olympic midfielder is enjoying life at Twente after failing to secure a regular first team spot at Ajax Amsterdam. He leads all scorers from Europe.   Others to find the back of the net last weekend include Qantas Socceroo Scott Chipperfield, Joshua Kennedy, Danny Invincibile, Scott Tunbridge and John Maisano.   Meanwhile John Aloisi made a welcome return for Osasuna after a short lay-off with a knee injury.   It was also a good weekend for many of players that featured in second round action in the FA Cup, with most progressing through to the third round.