Viduka Shows True Class:
Now that the 2005/06 Premiership season is underway, another chance for one of the top flight's brightest talents to shine has been taken with nothing short of brilliance.
Former Leeds United and Australia frontman Mark Viduka, who has spent the better part of the last 2 seasons on the sidelines through injury, was handed a starting role in Middlesbrough's trip to Birmingham City and payed back manager Steve McClaren's faith with a stunning double. After the 3-0 victory, McClaren poured on the praise saying, "When Mark Viduka is fit, there is no one better in the Premiership at what he does, and his two finishes were superb." McClaren continued by saying, "The first goal wasn't easy and the second was just special."
Viduka's first strike, his first since December, came on 15 minutes and courtesy of a low James Morrison drive across the Birmingham City 6-yard box. Ever the wizard in the area, Viduka was denied a strong claim for a penalty later in the half and caused the Birmingham City back four problems all night. His second came on the stroke of half-time from a throw-in that was superbly controlled and taken at such an angle that it left Birmingham City 'keeper Maik Taylor bemused. Middlesbrough's Franck Queudrue rounded off the scoring in the 71st minute from a Stuart Downing cross.
Since his departure from Leeds United, many have expected Mark Viduka to return to the form that helped take United to the furthest reaches of European competition only to see his pursuit cut short by injury and now that he is fit can look forward to seeing him reclaim his rightful place amongst the Premierships most talented footballers.