Life on Teesside took a more satisfying turn yesterday as Middlesbrough distanced themselves from their poor recent run of form to easily defeat Southampton.
Only Liverpool had won at The Riverside this season, but it was rather the memory of three successive goalless draws at home which preyed on Middlesbrough's nerves until two goals in the last three minutes of the first half settled a shapeless contest.
Middlesbrough's relegation threat became minimal from the moment that Mikkel Beck's tap-in gave them the lead. Hamilton Ricard controlled a cross from the right and laid off to Gianluca Festa, whose deflected cross bounced back from the far post for Beck to apply a simple close-range finish.
The second goal was a bonus. Robbie Stockdale's soaring punt landed conveniently between central defender and goalkeeper, where it caused total confusion. Paul Jones hesitated in his area and Ricard rounded him for his 11th Premiership goal of the season.
Middlesbrough's third came in the 62nd minute when Steve Vickers drove home after Neil Maddison's corner had been knocked on.
"We responded to the pressure; now we can enjoy the rest of the season," said Boro's manager Bryan Robson.
It won't come any easier than this.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Festa, Vickers, Cooper, Gordon, Stamp (Deane 71), Mustoe, Maddison, Ricard (Campbell 83), Beck. Subs Not Used: Beresford, Kinder, Harrison. Goals: Beck 44, Ricard 45, Vickers 62.
SOUTHAMPTON: Jones, Dodd, Lundekvam, Monkou, Colleter, Oakley (Ripley 60), Marsden, Kachloul, Le Tissier, Hughes, Beattie (Ostenstad 88). Subs Not Used: Moss, Bridge, Hiley. Booked: Le Tissier, Monkou, Marsden, Kachloul. Att: 33,387.
Referee: M Reed (Birmingham).
