Middlesbrough vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
Riverside StadiumAttendance29,600.
Saturday 29 October 2016 17:57, UK
A stunning goal from Gaston Ramirez and a second from Stewart Downing earned Middlesbrough a deserved 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Riverside.
Ramirez broke the deadlock six minutes before the break when he collected the ball inside his own half and burst forward, before cutting inside on to his right foot and slotting home a superb solo goal.
And though Bournemouth came out after half-time looking for a response, Boro got a second when Adama Traore curled a delicious cross with the outside of his boot on to the head of Alvaro Negredo, who nodded across goal for Downing to tuck home (56).
The visitors pushed for a comeback, but had their efforts stunted by an injury to Andrew Surman after manager Eddie Howe had made all three of his substitutions, and the 10-man Cherries were unable to breach Boro's organised back-line.
Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough went into the game without a win in the league since August and were facing the prospect of dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season with a loss against in-form Bournemouth.
However, there was no sign of that poor run impacting on the team's confidence in the early stages as Boro went toe-to-toe with the much-vaunted Cherries, bossing midfield and looking dangerous down the flanks.
It took Howe's men a while to grow into the game, but his side - who had not lost a game in six matches prior to the trip to the Riverside - found their spark in the 12th minute when Josh King found space in a training-ground corner routine, only to see his strike cleared off the line.
And it was King who went close again with the pick of the visitors' chances, controlling a chipped Jack Wilshere pass on his chest before volleying a shot against the crossbar in the 18th minute. On first viewing it appeared Boro had got lucky, but replays shows that the onrushing Victor Valdes had got his fingertips to the shot, superbly tipping it on to the crossbar.
Both teams felt they could have had penalties in the game, with Traore having appeals waved away after stumbling yards after the initial contact, and King being denied a spot-kick after being wiped out by the knee of a charging Valdes.
But the deadlock was broken when Ramirez burst clear of a struggling Wilshere in midfield and produced his classy swerve and shot to open the scoring.
And Downing's second, which followed shortly after the interval, ultimately wrapped up the win for Boro and gave the 32-year-old his first Premier League goal for the club since May 2008.
Callum Wilson and Jordon Ibe made way for Benik Afobe and Ryan Fraser, Afobe's good work allowing Adam Smith to strike from 12 yards, only for Calum Chambers to get in the way.
The Cherries ensured no further damage was done as Wilshere tracked back with a goal-saving challenge to rob Traore and though Fraser threatened a consolation with a cross-shot that required Valdes' attention, there was no way back.
Player ratings
Middlesbrough: Valdes 7, Barragan 6, Chambers 6, Gibson 7, Friend 7, Clayton 6, Forshaw 7, Traore 7, Ramirez 7, Downing 6, Negredo 6
Subs used: Leadbitter 6, Rhodes 6
Bournemouth: Boruc 6, Smith 5, Francis 5, Cook 5, Daniels 5, Surman 5, Arter 6, Wilshere 6, Ibe 5, King 7, Wilson 5
Subs used: Fraser 6, Afobe 6, Gosling 5
Man of the match: Gaston Ramirez
