On This Day in 2005, the Striker's Goal Was Later Cancelled Out By a Controversial Penalty
When Brian McBride volleyed home the winner against Portsmouth on April 3, it marked more than just his first Premier League goal of the season. The American striker's decisive 81st-minute strike had helped lift Fulham six points clear of the relegation zone, transforming the mood at Craven Cottage after a challenging run of form. Little did Fulham supporters know that McBride would soon deliver another pivotal moment in their battle for Premier League survival.
Despite McBride's heroics against Portsmouth, Fulham's form remained inconsistent. The American started and played the full 90 minutes in a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Bolton on April 9, followed by another complete game in a 1-1 home draw with Manchester City. While McBride failed to find the net in either match, his work rate and commitment remained undiminished—qualities that would prove crucial as Chris Coleman's side traveled to the Riverside Stadium on April 19.
The stakes were high for both clubs as they prepared to face off on Teesside. Fulham sat 16th in the Premiership, seven points clear of third-bottom Southampton with a game in hand. Coleman was cautiously optimistic before the match, stating: "Possibly one win will bring safety. I think that 37 or 38 points will give the bottom three a hell of a lot to do because we are running out of games."
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, were experiencing their own struggles, having won just two Premier League games in 2005. Their European ambitions were fading due to poor form and mounting injuries, with first-choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer missing through a back injury. Brad Jones deputized between the posts for the hosts.
The match was largely forgettable, as two out-of-form teams labored through much of the contest. Despite the lack of quality, Fulham looked the superior side throughout. McBride had gone close early in the match, while Luis Boa Morte—whom Coleman had praised before the game for "raising the bar" with his recent performances—skimmed the crossbar with a 25-yard free-kick after the interval.
Edwin van der Sar, Fulham's Dutch goalkeeper, wasn't called into action until the 81st minute, saving Ugo Ehiogu's weak header. Just moments later, McBride delivered what appeared to be another match-winning moment for the Cottagers.
Tomasz Radzinski broke down the right wing and delivered a precise cross into the penalty area. McBride, showcasing the penalty-box instincts that had made him Columbus Crew's all-time leading scorer before his move to England, expertly guided a low shot past the outstretched Jones for his fifth goal of the season in all competitions. The strike was a testament to McBride's clinical finishing and perfect positioning—qualities that had made him an increasingly valuable asset for Fulham.
With the clock ticking down, it seemed Fulham were headed for their first victory on Teesside since 1984—a win that would have virtually secured their Premier League status. However, controversy struck in the 90th minute when referee Rob Styles, who had already been appointed to officiate the upcoming FA Cup Final, pointed to the penalty spot after van der Sar was adjudged to have fouled Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Television replays showed the challenge occurred outside the penalty area, but Styles—after consulting with his assistant on the far side of the field—awarded the spot-kick. Bolo Zenden stepped up and comfortably converted by sending his fellow Dutchman van der Sar the wrong way, dramatically leveling the match at 1-1.
The controversial decision sparked furious reactions from the Fulham contingent. Stewards had to restrain van der Sar from confronting Styles after the final whistle, while Coleman had to be ushered off the field by his staff as he attempted to confront the official. "It was a disappointing decision, to say the least," Coleman reflected afterward. "It was a foul, but it was outside the box, and if the ball had been in the box, he would have used his hands, not his feet."
Despite the frustration of missing out on all three points, the draw still moved Fulham closer to safety. With five games remaining, Coleman's side needed approximately two more points to guarantee their Premiership status. For McBride, the goal against Middlesbrough further cemented his importance to Fulham's survival hopes, even if the result wasn't what he and his teammates had desired.
Off the pitch, Fulham received a boost with the announcement of the biggest sponsorship deal in their history, as internet service provider Pipex signed a two-year agreement worth up to £2.5 million to replace dabs.com as the club's official main sponsor. Chairman Mohamed Fayed expressed his excitement about the partnership: "Since I invested in this club, we have risen from the Second Division to consistently perform against the elite that English football has to offer."
As Fulham approached their final five matches of the 2004-05 campaign, McBride's contributions had proven invaluable in their battle to avoid relegation. His goals against Portsmouth and Middlesbrough—coming just sixteen days apart—had helped secure vital points at a critical juncture of the season. Though the American's heroics at the Riverside were ultimately denied the full reward they deserved, his consistent performances and timely goals became hallmarks of a player who would cement his status as a Fulham legend in the years to come.