Match Reports

Gareth Southgate and company head into the festive period on a low after Hammers' midfielder Scott Parker danced through the Boro defence to grab a late, late winner for the visitors at a chilly Riverside.

It was harsh on Middlesbrough who led after a first half opener from centre-back David Wheater, but West Ham scored at crucial times in order to continue their impressive away record.

The Londoners hadn't won on Teesside since 1982, and never looked likely to in an opening period in which Boro fully dominated.

Southgate opted for width in the shape of Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson and it paid off, as the duo terrorised the Hammers' full-back on both flanks, sending a stream of crosses into the opposition penalty area.

It was from one such marauding run that the visitors conceded a free-kick; Downing whipped it in, Aliadiere knocked down and David Wheater stabbed home from close range to give 'Boro the lead.

Despite the saturation of possession, Boro failed to carve out any real chances, despite the efforts of Tuncay and Aliadiere who cannot be faulted for effort.

On the break

It was late in the half that West Ham got their equaliser, much against the run of play.

In a rare foray Henri Camara brought the ball down beautifully on the edge of the Boro box, and before David Wheater could swipe it away, Dean Ashton had cracked a searing half volley inside Mark Schwarzer's near post that had goal written all over it.

Level-pegging at the break but when West Ham emerged after the break Boro could not cope with their new-found vigour.

Freddie Ljungberg and Scott Parker began to find time and space in the midfield area, as the returning Arca and Boateng tired, and it looked as though a West Ham goal was more likely.

Mark Schwarzer needed to be at his best to keep out a stinging free-kick from Nobby Solano, the Peruvian's 30-yard curler dipping sharply under the Boro crossbar before a strong palm saw it neatly over the top.

On the counter Adam Johnson continued to get at the Hammers defence with teasing runs, as did Downing on the opposite flank but visiting keeper Robert Green was seldom troubled.

Just as it seemed Boro had weathered the worst, nifty footwork from Scott Parker was enough to take him into the Boro box and fire past an exposed Schwarzer to seal a late win.