Ramirez wonder strike sets up convincing Boro
GASTON RAMIREZ struck a solo masterpiece as Middlesbrough reversed their worrying home form with a commanding 2-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Ramirez’s first-half effort was a thing of beauty, starting with a brave block deep in his own half and continuing the length of the pitch as Harry Arter, Andrew Surman and finally goalkeeper Artur Boruc were beaten by his drive, guile and craft.
For a side who had taken a single point from their first four games at the Riverside it was a heady moment, followed in the second half by another pleasing move finished by local boy Stewart Downing.
If Ramirez’s lung-busting run and delicate finish was the aesthetic choice, Downing’s closerange prod packed an emotional punch.
The 32-year-old last scored a Premier League goal for his hometown team in May 2008, in an 8-1 victory over SvenGoran Eriksson’s Manchester City. In the intervening years much has changed for all concerned.
Adama Traore had a decent penalty shout in the 18th minute when, after leaving Arter for dead, he drew a sliding tackle from Charlie Daniels.
There did appear to be contact but Traore’s tumble was belated and did nothing to persuade Stuart Atwell to point to the spot.
Jack Wilshere, whose case for an England recall is gathering momentum, unlocked the home defence after 27 minutes, scooping a pass over the back four and finding King, who cushioned the ball on his chest.
With Victor Valdes advancing, King volleyed instinctively with the outside of his boot but saw the ball canon back off the crossbar and away.
With Wilshere and Jordon Ibe pushing their side forward
Bournemouth had just started to set the tempo when Ramirez intervened quite brilliantly on 37 minutes.
In many ways, his was the perfect goal.
At the start he showed bravery to charge down a shot from Adam Smith and he followed with pace and poise to glide past Arter. As the goal came into view Surman was sent packing with a neat turn and Boruc was beaten with a measured shot.
Boro started confidently in the second period and added a second goal in the 56th minute. Traore picked the lock this time, floating a delightful ball towards Alvaro Negredo with the outside of his boot.
Rather than aim at goal the Spaniard headed it back across for Downing who gratefully finished the job.
Bournemouth sub Benik Afobe then handed Smith a chance to strike from 12 yards but Calum Chambers, impressive alongside defensive partner Ben Gibson, got his body in the way.
Ryan Fraser threatened a consolation late on with a cross-shot, but it was all too little, too late for the Cherries.