Source: Telegraph
West Ham United 2 Middlesbrough 1: Match report
Middlesbrough were offered the chance to claw their way out of the relegation zone but dropped into the Championship with barely a whimper, at Upton Park.
With news that rivals Hull and Newcastle were losing, Middlesbrough knew a victory by a healthy margin could rescue their status, but Gareth Southgate's side gave little fight.
Carlton Cole, returning after an absence of five weeks, scored West Ham's opening goal and although Middlesbrough responded briefly early in the second half, with an equaliser from Gary O'Neil, the home side assumed control again with promising youngster Junior Stanislas effectively sending Middlesbrough down.
It was a disappointing ending to 11 generally impressive years in the top flight for Middlesbrough, who won the Carling Cup in 2004 and reached the final of the Uefa Cup, in 2006.
Under Southgate, Middlesbrough had finished 12th and 13th but this season's performances have not been good enough and with key players Afonso Alves and Stewart Downing missing the run-in with injuries, their demise was hardly a surprise, leaving question marks over the future of their manager.
Middlesbrough threatened in the early stages with a poor finish by Adam Johnson, who then set off on a determined run only to be halted by a mass of claret and blue bodies.
In the 20th minute Stanislas, West Ham's busiest performer, struck a right-foot shot against the angle of port and crossbar and when Matthew Bates responded with a woeful effort, the home fans sang 'that's why you're going down'.
Middlesbrough failed to sell all their tickets but those who came appeared to be contemplating the summer already ahead of a spell in the Championship, with their followers brandishing every type of inflatable imaginable, from rubber rings to beach balls.
That likelihood became more of a reality when, in the 33rd minute Luis Boa Morte, having switched flanks with Stanislas, fed Herita Ilunga, and his cross was met by the grateful Cole, for his 10th League goal of the campaign.
Middlesbrough made a double change at half time, with Josh Walker and Joe Bennett introduced and, briefly, the visitors improved, with O'Neil finding the far corner, thanks to a deflection off Matthew Upson.
But West Ham, who just missed out on European football, regained the lead when, in the 58th minute Stanislas found the left hand corner from 20 yards, though Brad Jones's attempt to save was poor, the goalkeeper allowing the ball to creep under his body.
