English Premier League round-up: Middlesbrough moved above North East rivals Newcastle into 18th place in the English Premier League with a vital 3-1 win against Hull at the Riverside.
Tuncay put Boro in front after three minutes but Manucho rose to head home Nicky Barmby’s cross only six minutes later.
Matthew Bates (29) restored the home side’s lead and Former Hull striker Marlon King made the points safe in injury time.
Portsmouth moved further clear of the drop zone but will wonder what might have been after a 2-2 draw at home against rock-bottom West Brom.
Younes Kaboul gave the hosts the lead but Jonathan Greening equalised minutes into the second half after David James had blocked James Morrison’s shot.
Chris Brunt then put the visitors ahead but Niko Kranjcar restored parity direct from a free-kick.
In the afternoon’s other game, Tottenham boosted their bid for a place in Europe with a 1-0 win over West Ham, Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring the winner midway through the second half.
Pavlyuchenko scored within nine minutes of coming off the bench and his 14th of the season means the race for seventh place is hotting up.
Such is the tightness of this season, Spurs have been fighting against relegation since Harry Redknapp’s arrival in October but now could qualify for the Europa League.
