Manchester City brought on New York City FC Designated Player Frank Lampard for the last 23 minutes, but it wasn't enough to save them from the blushes of a 2-0 FA Cup fourth round elimination at the hands of English second-tier side Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
Lampard, who will begin playing for NYCFC in July, came on for Spaniard Jesus Navas in the 67th minute with his team down 1-0. He operated as an attacking midfielder, but Middlesbrough were resolute in defending their lead, allowing little space for Manchester City to operate. The Citizens' best look came on a deflected shot from Lampard which struck the right post in the 90th minute.
Middlesbrough, who currently sit in 2nd place in the second-division English Championship, took the lead in the 53rd minute when their high pressure resulted in a poor Manchester City back pass and the ball rolling dangerously toward the goal line. Manchester City's Fernando raced to clear it off the line, but Middlesbrough forward Patrick Bamford lunged to block the clearance into the back of the net.
Kike added a second, stoppage-time breakaway goal for Boro, who are coached by former MLS player Aitor Karanka, a starter in 27 regular season matches for the Colorado Rapids in his lone MLS campaign in 2006.
