A stunning solo goal from Gaston Ramirez helped Middlesbrough to their first home win of the Premier League season, as they beat a disappointing Bournemouth 2-0 at the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.
Stewart Downing's close range finish early in the second half, gave Aitor Karanka's men a comfortable two goal advantage that they held on to with ease, as theygrabbed only their second league win of the season.
The home side welcomed back Callum Chambers to the starting XI, with Stewart Downing also returning having missed last week's 0-0 draw at Arsenal. MeanwhileCherries boss Eddie Howemade one change to his startinglineup, with Andrew Surman returning in place of Dan Gosling.
Despite an encouraging start by the home side there was little quality in the opening half an hour as neither side were able to assert themselves. Both sides had reasonable penalty appeals turned down as clear chances were at a premium
It wasBournemouth who went closest to scoring when Josh King's shot was cleared off theMiddlesbrough goal line by AdamClayton.
Kingthen went close again for Bournemouth minutes laterwhen he was played in by Jack Wilshere's sublime chippedpass, only to then see his volley crash against Victor Valdes' crossbar.
Despite the visitors seemingly on top following those opportunities, the deadlock was broken five minutes before half time as Boro scored against the run of play thanks to a superb solo effort from Gaston Ramirez.
GOAL Middlesbrough 1-0 Bournemouth (39mins). Gaston Ramirez runs from the half-way line before cutting inside and slotting home #MIDBOU
The Uruguayan ran the length of the field, following a Bournemouth corner, before stepping inside the back tracking Andrew Surmanand then stroking the ball past the helpless Artur Boruc to score his first goal of the season.
With Middlesbrough unbeaten in 45 matches where they have taken a lead into half time, Aitor Karanka's men headed into the second half confident of finally recording their first Premier League win at the Riverside this season.
The game followed a similar pattern after the interval, with Boro happy to sit behind the ball and play on the counter.
And life was to get even better for the home side who doubled their lead in the 55th minutewhen Alvaro Negredo's knockdown fell perfectly to the feet of Stewart Downing in the box. The wingerhad all the time in the world to smash the ball into the netwith a Cherries' defender nowhere in sight.
Eddie Howe was quick to make changes to his side following Downing's goal, as substituteBenik Afobe andNegredo both squandered good opportunities for their respective teams.
Daniels' indecisiveness in the box then cost Bournemouth what should have been a certain goal as he opted to pass, rather than shoot, when one-on-one with Valdes.
Despite seeing plenty of the ball, the visitor's were unable to breakdown a resolute Boro defence.Their misery wascompounded when Andrew Surman's hamstring injury meant that they were left with 10 men as Howe had already made his allotted three substitutions.
Surman has limped off down the tunnel and Bournemouth are down to 10 men having made all three subs.
Although the home sidehadthe numerical advantage with both the scoreline and players, they were content to see the game out and defend with numbers. King's spectacular overhead and an Afobe headerwere the closest the Cherries came to scoringin the final moments, as the home side sealed a vital three points.
The 2-0 victoryis only the second time thatMiddlesbrough have scored twice in a match thisseason and means they now go clear of the relegation zone with 10 points.
For Bournemouth meanwhile, a poor performance ends their recent four matchunbeaten run and they are still yet to win away from home this season.
Middlesbrough starting XI: Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; Traore, Clayton, Forshaw; Downing, Negredo, Ramirez
Bournemouth starting XI: Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Arter, Surman; King, Wilshere, Ibe: Wilson