FULL TIME: Phil Dowd brings the game to a close and Jeremie Aliadiere's goal after eleven minutes proves to be the difference after a nervy, scrappy and un-entertaining second-half.
90
Rochemback picks out Alves who is one-on-one with Niemi but unfortunately for Boro the linesman's flag is raised for offside.
90
The fourth official indicates three minutes of added time.
87
Boro are forward in numbers again and Rochemback tries to square the ball to a team-mate in the box but Baird intercepts the pass.
85
Downing superbly picks out O'Neil who gets half a yard on a defender and, with Alves and Arca both available inside the box, hits a shot which sails wide of the mark.
84
Dempsey handballs and Boro have a free-kick in a decent position. Rochemback's cross falls to Pogatetz who tries to get a shot away but is deemed to have fouled a Fulham player in the process.
83
The corner comes to nothing but Boro keep the pressure on before Pogatetz is pulled back for a dubious offside decision.
82
Alves shows a good change of pace to latch onto a Rochemback pass and hits the ball against the defender to win his side a corner.
80
The home fans' nerves seem to be finding their way onto the pitch and their side are being dominated by Fulham.
79
A long ball is thrown into the box by Fulham and Murphy hits a volley wide of the target.
77
O'Neil looks like he is struggling a little for Boro but after a word with Soutgate it seems he may be OK to continue.
76
Substitution
George Boateng replaces Jeremie Aliadiere who appears to be suffering from cramp.
75
Davies' cross finds Dempsey on the edge of the six-yard box and Schwarzer does brilliantly to turn his shot around the post.
73
McBride has made massive impact on the game and is pulling all the strings at the moment.
71
The home side break and catch Fulham off-guard. Luke Young reaches the byline and tries to pick out Aliadiere at the near post who is clattered by Niemi before he can get a shot away.
69
The new formation does not seem to be helping Boro at the moment and Alves will be disappointed that he has not seen enough of the ball to make an impact so far.
67
Davies picks out Andreasen whose deflected shot could easily find its way in the back of the net but instead finds Schwarzer.
65
Alves seems to be operating as a lone striker now with Aliadiere dropping into midfield. His side have lost their momentum in the past few minutes and Fulham are seeing much more of the ball.
63
Substitution
Erik Nevland, who has failed to make much of an impact on the game today, leaves the field for Brian McBride who scored against Boro in the game at Craven Cottage earlier this season.
62
O'Neil has a shot blocked by a Fulham defender and Rochemback has a go from 25-yards but does not trouble Niemi.
60
Alves latches onto a through ball and puts an inviting cross to the far post but Konchesky is on hand to nod the ball behind for a Boro corner.
59
Fulham are playing with a patience that would usually suggest they are winning the game but have failed to make any attacks count yet.
57
Substitution
Southgate makes a straight swap with Alves replacing Dong-Gook Lee and Riverside erupts with applause.
56
Fulham fail to clear a Downing free-kick and the ball drops to O'Neil whose low shot forces a fine save out of Niemi.
54
Afonso Alves takes his training top off after a warm-up on the touchline and receives some final instructions from his new gaffer,
52
Boro are getting forward in numbers and Rochemback has plenty of red shirts to choose from in the box, but his delivery is poor.
50
The home fans are losing patience with Dong-Gook Lee who has not been on the same wavelength as his team-mates this afternoon and it seems it will only be a matter of time before Alves is introduced.
49
Rochemback hits a low free-kick into the danger area but it is cleared by a Fulham defender.
47
Yet again Huth connects with a Downing corner and his powerful header is wide of the target.
45
Substitution
Clint Dempsey replaces Diomansy Kamara
Second half
The sides re-appear for the second-half and there has been one change in the Fulham line-up.
Half time
HALF TIME: The teams go in at half-time and Boro hold a deserved lead as they were slightly the better side, though the visitors began to find their feet towards the end of the half.
45
Aliadiere gets the ball out of his feet and hits a powerful shot to force a decent save out of Niemi.
44
Nevland gets behind the Boro defence but is pulled back for offside.
42
Andreasen is picked out on the edge of the box but is dispossessed before he can get a shot away.
40
Rochemback finds O'Neil in the box who tries to find Aliadiere with a back-heel but Brede Hangeland puts in a strong challenge
37
A Downing free-kick is cleared only as far as Arca who lets fly from 25-yards, but he fails to work Niemi.
36
Yellow Card
Nevland is the latest player to be cautioned after a wild challenge on Fabio Rochemback.
35
Konchesky is caught out of position and O'Neil searches out Lee with a pass, but Andreasen puts in a good challenge to stop the attack.
33
Yellow Card
Nevland spins Huth but is brought down by the big defender who earns himself a yellow card.
32
Fulham put together their best move on the game with some nice passing between four players and Davies' final shot is inches wide of the post.
30
The extra confidence from the goal for Boro is the only difference between the two sides at the moment, though the home side seem the most likely to get another goal.
28
Aliadiere shows his pace and breaks through the centre of the Fulham defence but his low shot is straight at Niemi.
27
Leon Andreasen sweeps a cross into the box but it sails straight into the arms of Scwarzer.
25
It has all gone rather quiet in the away stand and Roy Hodgson looks rather tentative on the sideline.
23
The ball drops inside the six-yard box and falls to Danny Murphy whose shot is fumbled behind by Schwarzer.
23
Paul Konchesky puts a decent cross into the box and it is headed behind , rather needlessly, by Emanuel Pogatetz
21
Yellow Card
Diomansy Kamara picks up the first booking of the game after a late challenge and will now face a suspension, as it is his fifth of the season.
20
Downing gets to the byline and puts a cross in for Lee, but Niemi is quick off his line to pluck the ball out of the air.
18
Arca is caught in possession and Erik Nevland hits a long range shot which sails over the crossbar.
18
Fulham are being put under a lot of pressure at the moment and need to step up a gear if they are to get anything out of this first half.
16
Boro come close from another corner and again it is Huth who heads the ball off target.
14
Aliadiere will be delighted with the goal as he and Dong-Gook Lee need to put in a good performance if they are to keep their place in the starting eleven.
12
That was a lovely move by Boro and even Alves and Mido are admiring Aliadiere's movement and composure.
10
Goal
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 - 0 FULHAM: The linesman's flag stays down as Gary O'Neil slides a pass through to JEREMIE ALIADIERE who coolly slots the ball home.
9
Downing puts another out-swinging cross into the danger area and again finds Huth, who gets underneath the ball and heads it over.
9
Downing makes a positive run and his cross is deflected behind for a corner.
7
Julio Arca seems to be playing a more defensive role today in order to keep an eye on Fulham's playmaker Jiummy Bullard.
5
The signing of Afonso Alves has put a buzz around the Riverside. Brazil shirts can be seen dotted around the stadium and the substitute bench is swarmed with cameramen.
3
Simon Davies, who scored the winning goal against Aston Villa last week, whips in a free-kick but it is straight into the arms of Mark Schwarzer
2
The home side put some good build-up play together before Downing tries to slide a pass through to Gary O'Neil, but he is pulled back for offside.
1
Stewart Downing hits an out-swinging corner with pace and Huth's header whistles past the woodwork.
Middlesbrough win an early corner and David Wheater and Robert Huth come forward.
Brian McBride returns for Roy Hodgson's side but only makes the substitute bench. Hameur Bouazza is out of the squad dealing with family issues but Paul Staliteri is in line to make his debut. Other new signing Jari Litmanen is not in the squad.
Awaiting Kickoff
Gareth Southgate's record signing Afonso Alves starts today's game on the bench but is likely to make an appearance. Injuries to Mido and Tuncay Sanli pave way for Dong-Gook Lee to make his fifth start of the season.
Middlesbrough
Fulham
Full time
FULL TIME: Phil Dowd brings the game to a close and Jeremie Aliadiere's goal after eleven minutes proves to be the difference after a nervy, scrappy and un-entertaining second-half.
Rochemback picks out Alves who is one-on-one with Niemi but unfortunately for Boro the linesman's flag is raised for offside.
The fourth official indicates three minutes of added time.
Boro are forward in numbers again and Rochemback tries to square the ball to a team-mate in the box but Baird intercepts the pass.
Downing superbly picks out O'Neil who gets half a yard on a defender and, with Alves and Arca both available inside the box, hits a shot which sails wide of the mark.
Dempsey handballs and Boro have a free-kick in a decent position. Rochemback's cross falls to Pogatetz who tries to get a shot away but is deemed to have fouled a Fulham player in the process.
The corner comes to nothing but Boro keep the pressure on before Pogatetz is pulled back for a dubious offside decision.
Alves shows a good change of pace to latch onto a Rochemback pass and hits the ball against the defender to win his side a corner.
The home fans' nerves seem to be finding their way onto the pitch and their side are being dominated by Fulham.
A long ball is thrown into the box by Fulham and Murphy hits a volley wide of the target.
O'Neil looks like he is struggling a little for Boro but after a word with Soutgate it seems he may be OK to continue.
Substitution
George Boateng replaces Jeremie Aliadiere who appears to be suffering from cramp.
Davies' cross finds Dempsey on the edge of the six-yard box and Schwarzer does brilliantly to turn his shot around the post.
McBride has made massive impact on the game and is pulling all the strings at the moment.
The home side break and catch Fulham off-guard. Luke Young reaches the byline and tries to pick out Aliadiere at the near post who is clattered by Niemi before he can get a shot away.
The new formation does not seem to be helping Boro at the moment and Alves will be disappointed that he has not seen enough of the ball to make an impact so far.
Davies picks out Andreasen whose deflected shot could easily find its way in the back of the net but instead finds Schwarzer.
Alves seems to be operating as a lone striker now with Aliadiere dropping into midfield. His side have lost their momentum in the past few minutes and Fulham are seeing much more of the ball.
Substitution
Erik Nevland, who has failed to make much of an impact on the game today, leaves the field for Brian McBride who scored against Boro in the game at Craven Cottage earlier this season.
O'Neil has a shot blocked by a Fulham defender and Rochemback has a go from 25-yards but does not trouble Niemi.
Alves latches onto a through ball and puts an inviting cross to the far post but Konchesky is on hand to nod the ball behind for a Boro corner.
Fulham are playing with a patience that would usually suggest they are winning the game but have failed to make any attacks count yet.
Substitution
Southgate makes a straight swap with Alves replacing Dong-Gook Lee and Riverside erupts with applause.
Fulham fail to clear a Downing free-kick and the ball drops to O'Neil whose low shot forces a fine save out of Niemi.
Afonso Alves takes his training top off after a warm-up on the touchline and receives some final instructions from his new gaffer,
Boro are getting forward in numbers and Rochemback has plenty of red shirts to choose from in the box, but his delivery is poor.
The home fans are losing patience with Dong-Gook Lee who has not been on the same wavelength as his team-mates this afternoon and it seems it will only be a matter of time before Alves is introduced.
Rochemback hits a low free-kick into the danger area but it is cleared by a Fulham defender.
Yet again Huth connects with a Downing corner and his powerful header is wide of the target.
Substitution
Clint Dempsey replaces Diomansy Kamara
Second half
The sides re-appear for the second-half and there has been one change in the Fulham line-up.
Half time
HALF TIME: The teams go in at half-time and Boro hold a deserved lead as they were slightly the better side, though the visitors began to find their feet towards the end of the half.
Aliadiere gets the ball out of his feet and hits a powerful shot to force a decent save out of Niemi.
Nevland gets behind the Boro defence but is pulled back for offside.
Andreasen is picked out on the edge of the box but is dispossessed before he can get a shot away.
Rochemback finds O'Neil in the box who tries to find Aliadiere with a back-heel but Brede Hangeland puts in a strong challenge
A Downing free-kick is cleared only as far as Arca who lets fly from 25-yards, but he fails to work Niemi.
Yellow Card
Nevland is the latest player to be cautioned after a wild challenge on Fabio Rochemback.
Konchesky is caught out of position and O'Neil searches out Lee with a pass, but Andreasen puts in a good challenge to stop the attack.
Yellow Card
Nevland spins Huth but is brought down by the big defender who earns himself a yellow card.
Fulham put together their best move on the game with some nice passing between four players and Davies' final shot is inches wide of the post.
The extra confidence from the goal for Boro is the only difference between the two sides at the moment, though the home side seem the most likely to get another goal.
Aliadiere shows his pace and breaks through the centre of the Fulham defence but his low shot is straight at Niemi.
Leon Andreasen sweeps a cross into the box but it sails straight into the arms of Scwarzer.
It has all gone rather quiet in the away stand and Roy Hodgson looks rather tentative on the sideline.
The ball drops inside the six-yard box and falls to Danny Murphy whose shot is fumbled behind by Schwarzer.
Paul Konchesky puts a decent cross into the box and it is headed behind , rather needlessly, by Emanuel Pogatetz
Yellow Card
Diomansy Kamara picks up the first booking of the game after a late challenge and will now face a suspension, as it is his fifth of the season.
Downing gets to the byline and puts a cross in for Lee, but Niemi is quick off his line to pluck the ball out of the air.
Arca is caught in possession and Erik Nevland hits a long range shot which sails over the crossbar.
Fulham are being put under a lot of pressure at the moment and need to step up a gear if they are to get anything out of this first half.
Boro come close from another corner and again it is Huth who heads the ball off target.
Aliadiere will be delighted with the goal as he and Dong-Gook Lee need to put in a good performance if they are to keep their place in the starting eleven.
That was a lovely move by Boro and even Alves and Mido are admiring Aliadiere's movement and composure.
Goal
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 - 0 FULHAM: The linesman's flag stays down as Gary O'Neil slides a pass through to JEREMIE ALIADIERE who coolly slots the ball home.
Downing puts another out-swinging cross into the danger area and again finds Huth, who gets underneath the ball and heads it over.
Downing makes a positive run and his cross is deflected behind for a corner.
Julio Arca seems to be playing a more defensive role today in order to keep an eye on Fulham's playmaker Jiummy Bullard.
The signing of Afonso Alves has put a buzz around the Riverside. Brazil shirts can be seen dotted around the stadium and the substitute bench is swarmed with cameramen.
Simon Davies, who scored the winning goal against Aston Villa last week, whips in a free-kick but it is straight into the arms of Mark Schwarzer
The home side put some good build-up play together before Downing tries to slide a pass through to Gary O'Neil, but he is pulled back for offside.
Stewart Downing hits an out-swinging corner with pace and Huth's header whistles past the woodwork.
Middlesbrough win an early corner and David Wheater and Robert Huth come forward.
Kickoff
Referee Phil Dowd gets the game underway
Awaiting Kickoff
FULHAM STARTING XI: Niemi, Stalteri, Baird, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Bullard, Andreasen, Kamara, Nevland. SUBS: Keller, Volz, Bocanegra, McBride, Dempsey
Awaiting Kickoff
MIDDLESBROUGH STARTING XI: chwarzer, Young, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere, Lee. SUBS: Turnbull, Boateng, Mido, Alves, Grounds
Awaiting Kickoff
Brian McBride returns for Roy Hodgson's side but only makes the substitute bench. Hameur Bouazza is out of the squad dealing with family issues but Paul Staliteri is in line to make his debut. Other new signing Jari Litmanen is not in the squad.
Awaiting Kickoff
Gareth Southgate's record signing Afonso Alves starts today's game on the bench but is likely to make an appearance. Injuries to Mido and Tuncay Sanli pave way for Dong-Gook Lee to make his fifth start of the season.