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Middlesbrough 2 Portsmouth 0
IT was Newcastle United a fortnight ago. Last week it was Sunderland. Now, finally, Middlesbrough have made sure there will be three North-East teams in the Premier League next season.
The fact that it has taken until the penultimate game of the season to safeguard a place among the elite highlights that work needs to be done over the summer.
But, with consummate ease against a Portsmouth team with eyes on an FA Cup final with Cardiff later this month, Boro achieved their short-term aims yesterday.
And Chris Riggott - making his first appearance since November for his employers after a return from a loan with Stoke - has offered manager Gareth Southgate food for thought in the process.
Riggott looks destined to leave this summer after falling behind David Wheater, Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz in the battle for a place at the heart of Southgate's defence.
But yesterday, by heading Middlesbrough ahead before half-time, the former Derby defender's presence up front and at the back suggested he should be more than a bit-part player at the Riverside.
With Portsmouth occasionally showing some nice passing, it was imperative that Southgate's men increased their advantage after the restart. They did.
And it was Tuncay, with his eighth since signing from Turkish side Fenerbahce, who nodded down the second beyond David James eight minutes after the restart.
Tuncay's second in as many matches illustrates that he has found his feet in the Premier League.
With top-flight football a certainty again come August, Southgate will know goals from his forwards will be essential next season if they are to avoid suffering a similar late fight to avoid the drop.
4:29pm Sunday 4th May 2008
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