Wigan Athletic 1 Middlesbrough 0:Antoine Sibierski was on target again as Wigan kick-started their Premier League campaign at the expense of Middlesbrough - giving manager Chris Hutchings a victory to savour.

Eyebrows were raised when Hutchings was promoted from assistant to succeed Paul Jewell as boss in May, his previous tenure at Bradford having ended when he was sacked 12 games into the 2000-2001 season after mustering just one win.

But close-season recruit Sibierski struck in the 55th minute with a predatory effort to claim his second goal in as many games.

Apart from his goal, the former Manchester City striker led the line alongside Emile Heskey before being replaced because of an injury in the 66th minute.

Titus Bramble, a second summer arrival, excelled at the back, while another home debutant, midfielder Jason Koumas, proved his top-flight credentials with a highly skilful and energetic display.

Middlesbrough created little, and the only solace for manager Gareth Southgate was the sight of Mido in the directors' box; the Egyptian striker is on the brink of finalising a 10 million move from Tottenham.

Ayegbeni Yakubu - who remains a target for Everton, Portsmouth and West Ham - was sluggish, and the €3 million recruit Jeremie Aliadiere also offered little.

Wigan finally made the breakthrough in the 55th minute, and that it should be the underrated Frenchman Sibierski who claimed the goal was fitting.

WIGAN:Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Granqvist, Kilbane, Valencia, Scharner, Landzaat, Koumas, Heskey, Sibierski (Aghahowa 66). Subs not used: Pollitt, Hall, Cotterill, Skoko. Booked: Kilbane. Goal: Sibierski 55.

MIDDLESBROUGH:Schwarzer, Davies, Riggott, Wheater, Taylor, Sanli (Johnson 71), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Cattermole 87), Yakubu (Lee 65). Subs not used: Jones, Hines. Booked: Sanli, Johnson, Arca.

Referee:Steve Tanner (Somerset).