Middlesbrough beat City 2-0 in the FA Cup that year, with Tomlin starring.
Cardiff player Lee Tomlin in action
Nottingham Forest take on Fulham today in a game which is likely to see plenty of fresh new faces in Red. Aitor Karanka has overhauled the squad during January and will be hoping the response is a sharp upturn in form and consistency.
One player they managed to bring in was former Middlesbrough man Lee Tomlin. He has arrived on loan from promotion chasing Cardiff City, where he simply could not get first-team football.
Karanka knows the tricky forward well from working with him at Middlesbrough and he was once described as one of Karanka’s favourite players.
Aitor Karanka, manager of Middlesbrough shakes hands with Lee Tomlin
With good reason as well.
Back in January 2015 Karanka’s Middlesbrough traveled to the Etihad Stadium to take on then Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup. Few gave the Championship side a chance, but goals from Patrick Bamford and Kike saw Boro claim a famous 2-0 win.
There were many stars for Boro that day, with Albert Adomah and David Meijas incredible. But for many, it was the performance of Tomlin that lives long in the memory.
At times he resembles a Sunday league footballer in appearances alone but he put in a sensational performance against City that day.
Lee Tomlin of Middlesbrough hits the post with an effort during the FA Cup Fourth Round match
He occupied the space between their midfield and back four with aplomb and was picking out incredible passes throughout the game. He was also unlucky to score, after his Bergkamp like turn bamboozled the best defender in the land Vincent Kompany, before striking against Willy Caballero’s post.
It was an excellent performance from the Forest newbie and one Kompany is not likely to forget.
Forest will be hoping he can bring that to the party at the City Ground.
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