WITH a precise flick of his right boot, Juninho brought a little Brazilian sunshine to a rain-sodden Riverside last night.

It took just ten minutes for Juninho to warm the hearts of the Middlesbrough fans that had braved a heavy downpour to acclaim the return of the prodigal son.

As Alaves' statuesque defence watched Geremi's low cross cruise unhindered into their penalty area, Juninho dived in front of his marker and diverted the ball inside the far post.

The roar that greeted the goal would only be matched if the Brazilian were to keep his word and bring a trophy back to Teesside. And it was the catalyst for the sort of display that left Middlesbrough fans singing in the rain and eager for the opening game of the season at Southampton on Saturday week.

Three of Boro's new signings - Juninho, plus Massimo Maccarone and George Boateng - scored as Alaves, who finished seventh in last season's Primera Liga, capitulated in the opening 26 minutes last night.

But it was the 29-year-old World Cup winner whose performance, on his first outing since joining Boro for the third time, enchanted the supporters.

It took eight minutes for him to have his first touch, and immediately he oozed class - trapping the ball dead before releasing Geremi.

And shortly afterwards Geremi, a Cameroon international, and Juninho sent the Middlesbrough fans into raptures down by the Riverside when they combined again. Maccarone produced the sort of clinical finish that prompted Steve McClaren to pay a club record £8.15m for the Italian when he slipped the ball past exposed Alaves keeper Richard Dutruel after 17 minutes.

As Alaves crumbled, so Boro prospered. Maccarone's outrageous backheel released Boateng and the midfielder - who was hardly noted for his goalscoring aptitude at Aston Villa - coolly slotted home.

Sadly, it was too good to last, and Alaves pulled back two goals through Martin Astudillo and former Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff. But Juninho was not going to allow the Spaniards to spoil his homecoming. Wearing the No 10 shirt that is synonymous with Samba football, he was at the hub of everything.

In attack, he had two penalty appeals - one for handball, one when he appeared to be scythed down in the area - waved away.

But Juninho was also mightily impressive when Alaves had possession, driving the visitors to distraction with his incessant harrying and hustling.

Even the absence of Gareth Southgate, with a slight knee problem, and Alen Boksic (calf) could not detract from a night when everything went to plan for Middlesbrough.

Juninho received a standing ovation when he was replaced after 69 minutes by Szilard Nemeth. He can expect many more of those before the season is out.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Ehiogu, Festa, Queudrue (Parnaby 67), Greening, Geremi (Wilkshire 73), Boateng (Johnston 73), Juninho (Nemeth 69), Whelan (Wilson 67), Maccarone (Job 67). Subs: Crossley, Gavin, Windass. Referee: Neale Barry (Scunthorpe).

Read more about Middlesbrough here.