THE irony wasn't lost on Bryan Robson. On a day when he was greeted like a prodigal son by the club that gave him his managerial break, the former Middlesbrough boss found himself stabbed in the back, metaphorically speaking, by the last player he signed before his Riverside reign was brought to an abrupt end.

Szilard Nemeth, who for long periods has failed to deliver since his arrival on Teesside from Inter Bratislava in 2001, found himself the hero.

He scored twice in nine minutes and set up another of Boro's four goals - the others coming from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Stewart Downing - to send a seemingly resurgent West Brom side tumbling back into the Premiership relegation zone.

It was, more importantly, a victory that got the Teessider's European charge back on track after some lacklustre performances recently. Those culminated in the 1-1 midweek draw with Fulham - a result which saw Nemeth subjected to severe criticism.

How Robson wished afterwards that the Slovak striker had chosen any day other than this to answer his detractors.

"He has repaid me really well," said the Baggies boss ruefully as he reflected on the game's outcome. "Steve McClaren (the Boro manager) should sell him."

Though McClaren would deny it publicly, privately there must have been times when moving Nemeth on was a distinct possibility, after all 22 strikes in 108 league appearances hardly represents the best of investments. But while two goals does not necessarily a striker make, it could go some way to heading off any such talk as summer approaches. Indeed the warm reception Nemeth received as he was replaced three minutes before the end suggested he may still get a chance to win the fans over.

"I am so pleased for Nemeth, who responded so well after Tuesday when he received a bit of criticism. Today, he was excellent," said McClaren, adding that the applause was fully deserved.

"That was important because you cannot underestimate the talent that he has got. He proved today exactly why he is a valuable member of the squad."

Nemeth's was almost the complete performance, although he was run exceedingly close for man of the match status by stand-in goalkeeper Brad Jones.

His first goal in the 27th minute, ironically coming at a time when Boro were firmly under the cosh, was all his own making.

After Russell Hoult saved Hasselbaink's initial effort, Nemeth picked up the ball on the edge of the box, beat one man before firing in an angled shot which went through the legs of Thomas Gaardsoe and beyond the keeper.

Six minutes later, Nemeth turned provider when, after bursting into the box on the left, he cut to the byline and sent in a cross-cum-shot, which Hoult could only palm along the line for the onrushing Hasselbaink to hammer into the net.

With the confidence ebbing from the Baggies, Nemeth effectively wrapped up the points in the 37th minute.

Hasselbaink's fierce shot was only parried and Nemeth, this time the poacher, headed over Hoult and high into the goal.

The 27-year-old had clearly been stung by the harsh words he had been subjected to recently, believing it to be somewhat unjust.

"I was disappointed with the reaction of the fans at the last game against Fulham," he said.

"The whole team played badly and you could hear the bad reaction from the fans every time you touched the ball or if you made a mistake.

"But, today, I scored two goals and the fans seemed satisfied. The fans are always used to winning, but I think everybody can have a bad day. Today, we had a bit more luck and we scored four goals."

Nemeth said over the last few weeks, he had had chances, but could not find the net.

"Today I had better luck and I got these two goals," he said.

"The thing is, you always want to score and (when you don't) it's a little bit disappointing because you are always trying your best and you always want to win for the team."

The margin of the victory glossed over the fact that, on another day, Boro could have found themselves three goals down instead of three goals up at the break.

Jones, deputising for the injured Mark Schwarzer, turned a shot on the turn from Kevin Campbell around the post as early as the ninth minute and, seven minutes later, blocked with his body after rushing to the edge of the box to confront Robert Earnshaw after the Welsh international had outpaced Gareth Southgate.

Jones had barely time to catch his breath before he was called on once again when Campbell stooped to head goalwards, the Australian making an instinctive block.

Even after Boro's goal blitz, West Brom carved out chances that belied their lowly status.

Ehiogu narrowly avoided netting an own goal when he made a last-ditch stab with his outstretched boot to prevent Earnshaw getting a shot in. Then, in the second half, substitute Nwankwo Kanu, on for the tiring Campbell at the break, first saw his point-blank header tipped over by Jones and then sent a tame effort into the keeper's arms from an almost identical situation.

Downing's injury-time free-kick, Beckham-esque in both it's approach and execution, served only to rub salt in the wound.

Robson's wounds, inflicted on his 'homecoming', ran deeper than most, Nemeth's, meanwhile, show signs of healing.

Middlesbrough 4 West Bromwich Albion 0.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.