Hammers decked by Deane

West Ham were sent crashing on home turf

West Ham 0-1 Middlesbrough

Brian Deane scored from the penalty spot to give Middlesbrough victory at Upton Park and virtually end West Ham's fading hopes of Europe next season.

The home side, inspired by Frank Lampard's link-up with on-loan striker Frederic Kanoute, were on top for much of the early stages.

But Boro fought back and when Andy Campbell was brought down by keeper Ian Feuer after 60 minutes, Deane scored from the spot.

Former Hammer Paul Ince was given a torrid reception on his return to east London.

But the England midfielder had the last laugh as the visitors secured victory.

Hammers on top

With home hero Paolo Di Canio for once failing to shine, Kanoute was the star of the show for West Ham and showed why manager Harry Redknapp is keen to extend his loan deal in the summer.

West Ham's Kanoute tries to halt Juninho's run

His powerful burst into the area was halted by Gianluca Festa, but referee Barry Knight rejected the home side's penalty appeals.

Chances were hard to come by early on, but a well-worked training ground link-up between Rio Ferdinand, Marc-Vivien Foe and Lampard gave the Hammers a clear opening - but midfielder Lampard failed to make his header count.

Paulo Wanchope had a late shot smothered by under-worked visiting keeper Mark Schwarzer, but there was little on offer to excite fans of either side.

Deane does it

West Ham continued to dominate possession with their neat brand of passing football, without genuinely threatening the Boro goal.

And against the run of play, Bryan Robson's men took the lead.

Mark Summerbell split the previously secure Hammers defence with a sweet pass to Campbell, who chased down the loose ball before being dragged down by Feuer.

Knight pointed to the spot and Deane thundered the ball home to give the stand-in keeper no chance.

Teams:

West Ham: Feuer, Margas, Ferdinand, Stimac, Sinclair, Lampard, Foe, Keller, Di Canio, Wanchope, Kanoute.
Subs: Bywater, Moncur, Carrick, Potts, Ruddock.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Festa, Vickers, Cooper, Stamp, Juninho, Ince, Summerbell, Fleming, Deane, Campbell.
Subs: Beresford, Mustoe, Ricard, Maddison, Stockdale.

Referee: B Knight (Orpington)