Middlesbrough 1 - 0 West Ham United

Middlesbrough 1-0 West Ham

Updated: November 11, 2006, 12:57 PM ET

The Italian, Boro's record signing at #8.15million, scored six minutes after coming on when he rounded Robert Green and slotted home from a tight angle 15 minutes from time.

Aiyegbeni Yakubu had earlier wasted a 64th-minute chance to head his side in front, while England winger Stewart Downing forced a good save from Green before the break.

In a drab first half Boro created only three chances which went begging due to a combination of sub-standard finishing, solid goalkeeping and excellent defending.

Green saved comfortably from James Morrison on 22 minutes but was stretched nine minutes later by Downing's drive which he turned around the post.

The best chance of the half fell to Yakubu in injury time, but Danny Gabbidon slid in to block his shot.

Jonathan Woodgate had to hack away a dangerous Nigel Reo-Coker cross, but Mark Schwarzer did not have a single save to make.

The opening minutes of the second half were far more encouraging as both sides adopted a more expansive approach.

Fabio Rochemback smashed a left-footed shot across the face of goal and inches wide of the top corner.

Downing wasted a good opportunity on 61 minutes when he drilled a cross beyond Morrison, the only Boro man in the box.

Yakubu should have put the Teessiders ahead with 26 minutes remaining when he got his head to Morrison's cross but directed the ball hopelessly wide of the target.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate had earlier introduced Maccarone for Rochemback and he did the trick just when his side needed it most.

Lee Cattermole won a header to send the ball into Maccarone's path and he rounded the advancing Green before firing home right-footed from a tight angle.