Brian Deane scored the only goal to help Paul Ince gain revenge over Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier.

The BBC's Alan Biggs: "Didn't Paul Ince enjoy this one"

After a summer of high profile arrivals at both clubs Boro are flying high in second after winning three matches on the trot.

But Liverpool find themselves just one place above the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand on most other clubs.

Deane netted his second goal of the season in the 48th minute in front of a crowd of 34,783, a new record for the Riverside Stadium.

Gascoigne (right) challenges for an early ball before his injury

Ince produced an all-action display at the heart of the Boro midfield as Liverpool sank to their second successive defeat.

Before his home debut he was cheered by the Boro fans and jeered by the Liverpool supporters, and the atmosphere helped a fiery battle on the pitch.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, the subject of a controversial newspaper attack rom Ince earlier this month, refused to comment when asked about his former player's display afterwards.

"Next question," said the Frenchman, perhaps bearing in mind the FA's call to Ince to explain what he said.

Keegan saw Paul Ince play well but Gazza limped out injured

Paul Gascoigne was another veteran midfielder with hopes of an England recall in front of the watching Kevin Keegan.

But he injured himself after only 16 minutes when he challenged Jamie Redknapp, and was replaced by Keith O'Neill.

"Gazza's got severe bruising in his calf from a tackle and it looks as if it may be a week or a little bit longer," said Boro boss Bryan Robson afterwards.

Liverpool had created the first decent opening after 10 minutes when Titi Camara played in Robbie Fowler to shoot wide.

Melee

Steven Gerrard escaped one booking when he pushed Gianluca Festa, and the Liverpoool youngster's tackle on Phil Stamp sparked a major flare-up.

Gerrard kicked at Stamp as he lay on the ball and several other players rushed in, including Fowler and Festa who pushed each other.

Ince was also present although referee Steve Dunn booked Gerrard and Boro skipper Andy Townsend after the melee.

After a dull first half, the second period was much livelier and Schwarzer almost let Liverpool in when he spilled Redknapp's shot and Jamie Carragher failed to capitalise.

Deane goal

O'Neill found Christian Ziege in space on the left and he centred for Deane to slide home his second goal of the season.

Goalkeeper Sander Westerveld then denied the German Boro recruit while Camara fired wide and then stung Schwarzer's hands with a 25-yard drive.

Hamilton Ricard could not keep another effort down and Westerveld saved from Deane.

Schwarzer plucked another Camara drive from the air while Fowler fired wide with a left-foot shot two minutes from the end.

But the bad tempers remained and O'Neill got himself booked after squaring up to substitute David Thompson while Fowler and Festa were arguing another point right to end end.

Teams:

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Stamp, Vickers, Festa, Pallister, Ince, Townsend, Gascoigne, Ziege, Ricard, Deane. Subs: Mustoe, O'Neill, Maddison, Campbell, Roberts.

Liverpool: Westerveld, Heggem, Matteo, Hyypia, Staunton, Berger, Carragher, Gerrard, Redknapp, Camara, Fowler. Subs: Song, Meijer, Friedel, Thompson, Traore.