Source: Eurosport
Hammers send Boro down
Middlesbrough's relegation from the Barclays Premier League was confirmed after Brad Jones' blunder gave them no hope of the victory they needed to have a chance of staying up as West Ham won 2-1.
Gareth Southgate's men needed a big victory and for results to go their way but they failed to do their part, with Junior Stanislas' weak shot sneaking past Jones for the winner at Upton Park.
Carlton Cole had given the Hammers a first-half lead but Boro were given encouragement when Gary O'Neil levelled and their relegation rivals were losing.
After Stanislas struck there was a resigned attitude to Boro as their fate was sealed. Boro's stint in the top flight lasted 11 years and included a League Cup win and a UEFA Cup final appearance - but now they are heading for tricky away fixtures at the likes of Doncaster, Blackpool and Scunthorpe.
Southgate has been undermined by a lack of goals from Brazilian flop Afonso Alves, who missed this clash through injury along with England winger Stewart Downing. Without them, the odds were stacked against Boro winning and getting the five-goal swing they needed to overtake Hull.
The focus will now be on whether Southgate will remain as manager and whether players such as David Wheater, Downing and Tuncay Sanli will have to be sold.
