Middlesbrough avoided a fourth successive league defeat with a 1-1 draw in the capital against West Ham United.
The Teessiders actually went in front with Cristhian Stuani heading in Viktor Fischer’s early second-half corner.
However, a fine strike from Dimitri Payet just six minutes later ensured neither side would be collecting maximum points.
Fischer drilled a low shot across goal after the hosts had been forced into an early change, although the dangerous Payet was twice wide at the opposite end.
Mark Noble suffered a similar fate with a low drive on the break before curling another effort onto the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Boro striker Jordan Rhodes threatened ahead of the interval but it was Stuani firmly heading in Fischer’s delivery soon after it.
That advantage wasn’t held onto for long, though, as Payet skipped past opponents until finishing across Victor Valdes.
The Frenchman also struck into the defensive wall after being brought down on the edge of the area, while substitute Gaston Ramirez replied beyond the far post.
West Ham United: Adrian, Byram (Arbeloa 7), Reid, Collins, Ogbonna, Noble (Lanzini 73), Obiang, Kouyate, Tore (Zaza 46), Antonio, Payet
subs (unused): Randolph, Feghouli, Fletcher, Fernandes
Goals: Payet (57)
Middlesbrough: Valdes, Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, de Roon, Forshaw, Stuani, Downing, Fischer (Ramirez 59), Rhodes (Negredo 68)
subs (unused): Ayala, Espinosa, Clayton, Guzan, Traore
Goals: Stuani (51)
Ref: N. Swarbrick
Att: 56,945
Share this article
