Middlesbrough 2, Newcastle Utd 2:Football's simultaneous ability to enthral and appal was encapsulated on an afternoon when Julio Arca's bewitching passing could not quite erase the depression imposed by the moronic behaviour of some Newcastle fans.

Listening to them persistently subject Mido, Middlesbrough's new Egyptian striker, to vile and alarmingly ignorant Islamophobic abuse detracted from a compelling game that was dominated by Gareth Southgate's gloriously creative side.

His bold decision to pair Arca and Fabio Rochemback, men known for the quality of their touch rather than enforcement credentials, saw Boro largely out-pass and outclass Newcastle in a game they should have won.

"I'm very proud, we're a side that looks good; we've tried to pass, we've tried to attack, there's a lot of good signs," enthused the home manager, whose game plan contrasted sharply with Sam Allardyce's more direct, generally utilitarian, approach. "Julio and Fabio showed vision and quality."

Fed up with being stereotyped as a terrorist bomber in a barrage of anti-Arab abuse, Mido celebrated his first-half goal by walking over to the away fans and pressing a finger tight to his lips. Adhering, pedantically, to the strict letter of the law, Mike Dean promptly booked him.

What a shame the Egyptian's tormentors did not simply celebrate Charles N'Zogbia's stunning opening goal for Newcastle.

Assuming possession wide on the left and well outside the area, N'Zogbia cut inside along the edge of the 18-yard box before unleashing a shot with his supposedly weaker right foot which curled into the top corner.

Undeterred, Boro stuck to their passing guns and, when Mido, just onside, chested down one of Rochemback's through balls he shrugged off Steven Taylor's lunging attempt at a tackle before rounding the advancing Steve Harper and placing his second goal in two games into the unguarded net.

Allardyce's side looked menacing on the break and in the second half Mark Viduka - fiercely booed by his formerly adoring Boro public - gave them another lead.

Viduka chested down Geremi's lofted ball into the area before out-muscling Jonathan Woodgate and directing the ball into the bottom corner.

Ten minutes from time the game's principal creative influence deservedly enjoyed the final word, Arca turning deftly and dispatching an angled half-volley past Harper after Rochemback's initial pass had caused consternation among Newcastle's defence,