THERE won't be an open-top bus parade to celebrate it but, in its own small way, Saturday's 2-0 Premiership win over Bolton said as much about Middlesbrough's new-found application and resolve as their epic Carling Cup final success over the same side in February.

It would have been easy for Boro's cup winners to have taken their foot off the pedal after ending the club's 128-year wait for a piece of major silverware.

But, instead, Steve McClaren's side have lost just one of their last five games as they mount a sustained push towards a top-eight finish which would be the highest in the club's Premiership history.

Bolton might have come to the Riverside looking for revenge for their Cardiff heartache but, if they were banking on Boro minds already turning towards sunnier summer climes, they were given a rude awakening.

Kevin Nolan's early horror show gave Boro the perfect start and, with Jonathan Greening adding a second with his first goal since April 5 last year, McClaren was able to reflect on a season that continues to sparkle.

"The response since the Carling Cup final has been the most pleasing aspect of our season," said McClaren. "It could have tapered away but I've been delighted with the players' reaction since we won the cup.

"The players haven't stopped. They could have rested on what they've achieved but they've put their medals away, carried on working, and their attitude has been magnificent."

That attitude was best summed up by the performance of Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta who orchestrated a Middlesbrough performance full of attacking verve and vision.

On their day, Mendieta and Juninho form a creative partnership as good as any in the country and, with their slick passing and willingness to break from deep, Boro's deadly double act carved repeated holes through a Bolton backline who had comfortably contained Newcastle's goalscoring threat just six days earlier.

"Gaizka's a favourite with the fans and the staff because he can play," said McClaren. "He has ability, but he also has a fantastic attitude and workrate.

"He's not just a player with talent - he's one of those players you love to work with because you can't get him off the training ground.

"He helps everyone and all the players at this club are benefitting from having a player like him around."

Mendieta played an integral role in Boro's eighth-minute opener but, just as Bolton shot themselves in the foot in the early stages of the Carling Cup final in Cardiff, so the Trotters were their own worst enemies on Teesside.

Bolo Zenden, playing at left back in place of the injured Franck Queudrue, forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into a sharp save and, from the resultant Mendieta corner, Kevin Davies sliced perilously close to his own net.

Nolan clearly felt he needed to show his team-mate how to do the job properly and, from the Spaniard's second set-piece, the midfielder hooked a horrific miskick into his own net.

The howler briefly spurred Bolton into action and, within four minutes, Henrik Pedersen evaded Ugo Ehiogu to roll Davies' flick-on against the post with Mark Schwarzer beaten.

But that proved to be a rare foray forward for a Bolton side who were barely recognisable from the outfit who harried and hussled Newcastle out of the game last weekend.

Ehiogu was partnered by Chris Riggott in the absence of Gareth Southgate, and the duo produced a calm and composed display that suggests Boro have little to fear if the England international's jaw injury proves to be worse than initial scans suggest.

At the other end, Juninho twice found himself in a great position before the interval but, on both occasions, the Brazilian was unable to double the home side's lead.

He shot straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen's legs after being released down the right by Greening, and then saw the Finnish keeper save at his near post following a fantastic defence-splitting through ball from Joseph-Desire Job.

Jaaskelainen also combined with full-back Anthony Barness to keep out Riggott's goalbound header following another Mendieta corner, but the Bolton keeper was powerless to prevent Boro finally doubling their lead six minutes after the break.

A decent chance looked to have gone begging after Emerson Thome tackled Mendieta on the edge of the six-yard box, but the ball broke kindly for Greening to tap home.

Massimo Maccarone and substitute Michael Ricketts both went close to adding a third before the final whistle.

Result: Middlesbrough 2 Bolton Wanderers 0.

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