Auswärtssieg Nr. 5: Boro 1 West Ham 2

Parker The Hero At Middlesbrough
The wrapping paper at Boro's Riverside Stadium was pretty enough, but the box turned out to be empty for Middlesbrough. Not for the first time this season Middlesbrough flattered to deceive, and they were undone in the final minute as Scott Parker's first goal since his £7 million move from Newcastle earned West Ham their first Premier League win on Teesside. (Daily Telegraph)

Successive defeats to Everton in the league and Carling Cup at Upton Park had taken the edge off West Ham’s recent run, but on their travels Curbishley’s side have been among the best in the division, and after trailing 1-0 they turned things round to secure a fifth away success. With Dean Ashton’s opportunistic strike just before half-time providing the platform, Parker squeezed the life out of Middlesbrough in the second half before ending their revival with his late winner. (Times Online)

A dour game, with neither side able to create many goal scoring opportunities, seemed to be heading towards half time without any real goal mouth action. Then in the 38th minute a Downing cross was headed on by Aliadiere and David Wheater shot home from six yards.
Immediately after the goal Boro pushed on looking for a second but after five minutes of soaking up the pressure and a minute before the break West Ham broke up field, Camara passed to Ashton and from 20 yards he drilled the ball into the bottom left of the goal.
The second half was a bit more entertaining than the first but again there were very few goal scoring opportunities. West Ham had a reasonable chance six minutes into the half when West Ham were awarded a free kick 35 yards out. Solano's drilled shot forced Schwarzer to rise and tip the ball over the bar.
With the game seemingly strolling to a draw in the 90th minute Parker (picture above) picked up the ball in the Boro penalty area. He shifted the ball onto his right foot and fired the ball home from 12 yards. (Hammered Blog)

West Ham coach Alan Curbishley praised the goal scoring duo. The pair have been battling back to fitness after suffering from knee injuries. "For both of them to get the goals gives us a big boost", the manager said.
"I have asked Scott to be a bit more offensive than perhaps he was at Newcastle," said Curbishley afterwards. "When I had him at Charlton he could do both. At Newcastle he was perhaps a bit more responsible. I have asked him to get in the box and pinch us a goal, so let’s hope it’s the start of something. He’s had such a frustrating time getting injured in the second week of preseason and then coming back and not being quite right. He’s worked ever so hard so he deserved it."

Video highlights here or here!

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate (Huth 63), Wheater, Pogatetz, Johnson (Cattermole 77), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere, Sanli.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Shawky, Lee.
Booked: Boateng, Arca.
Goal: Wheater 40.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, McCartney, Spector, Solano (Noble 76), Parker, Mullins, Ljungberg, Camara (Pantsil 85), Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Dailly, Ephraim.
Booked: Parker, Solano.
Goals: Ashton 44, Parker 90.
Att: 26,007
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).