Goals from Gaston Ramirez and Stewart Downing either side of half-time helped Middlesbrough to a 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, thus ending their seven-game winless streak in the Premier League.
Middlesbrough had not won a game since beating Sunderland 2-1 on August 21, collecting just three points from their following seven fixtures.
Their poor run of form had seen them drop to 17th in the table, level on points with 18th-placed Hull, with relegation slowly becoming a serious concern.
Bournemouth on the other hand were high on confidence heading into the game after going four without defeat, holding Tottenham to a scoreless draw last week.
But Aitor Karanka's men slowly grew into the game and went a goal up following a superb solo effort from Ramirez late in the first half, before Downing claimed the crucial second after the break with a tap-in to help his side earn a first home win of the campaign.
Adama Traore found Alvaro Negredo with a sublime cross, the Spanish striker headed it into Downing's path and the winger had no trouble finding the net from close range.
Negredo should have sealed the win after being put clean through by Adam Forshaw, but the experienced attacker's low attempt lacked the power to really worry Boruc.
Boro held firm for a 2-0 win, with the visitors ending the match with 10 men due to an injury to Surman after Eddie Howe had already made three changes.
