Middlesbrough stretched their unbeaten run in the Premiership to nine games with a thoroughly deserved win over Liverpool.
Boro are certainly making a strong challenge for a top-four finish this season as a sell-out crowd of 34,751 saw Steve McClaren's side gain revenge for their Carling Cup defeat at Anfield earlier this month.
Liverpool could not complain about the result as they had little midfield flair and no cutting edge.
Before the final whistle, many of their fans had made their way to the exits.
Boro began the game hoping to hold on to fourth spot in the table while the visitors had the chance to leapfrog over them. However, injury-hit Liverpool were hampered as they were forced to play without a recognised striker.
There was little to excite the fans in the opening stages with neither goalkeeper extended. In the 30th minute Chris Kirkland saved a close-range shot by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and six minutes later Boro took the lead through Chris Riggott following a left-wing cross by the in-form Stewart Downing.
Downing, a local hero who is tipped for full international recognition, sent over an accurate cross and the unmarked Riggott fired into the net from inside the six-yard box.
Kirkland was clearly unhappy with the marking against the former Derby County defender and minutes later the Reds keeper was forced to race out of his goal to deny Mark Viduka following Hasslebaink's thoughtful pass.
Luis Garcia thought he has equalised for Liverpool but his celebrations were cut short with a raised flag for offside.
Just before the break Viduka, who overall had a quiet game, shot just wide.
Liverpool began the second half in lively mood and they seemed determined to pull the game round.
Only a superb Mark Schwarzer save prevented Harry Kewell equalising with a close-range header. Kewell sank to his knees in despair as the Boro keeper tipped the ball onto the roof of the net.
After an eight-week absence through injury, Steven Gerrard made his long-awaited return when he came on as a 56th minute substitute.
Garcia hammered a fierce shot wide following a free-kick awarded for Gareth Southgate's foul that brought the Boro captain a booking.
Middlesbrough made certain of the three points when Boudewijn Zenden scored his fifth goal in the last six games.
Downing cut out a slack pass to slip the ball to Hasselbaink. Zenden ran through the middle to accept Hasselbaink's cross and fire past Kirkland. Liverpool appealed in vain for offside and it certainly looked to be a close call.
Liverpool lacked striking power and Kewell shot wide when Schwarzer was out of his goal.
Middlesbrough have now won seven of their last ten games in all competitions and look set for a good season.
Liverpool, in contrast, are a pale shadow of the side that won so many cup and league honours.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ray Parlour (Boro) – The former Arsenal star was a driving force in midfield, producing a tireless performance to get the vote ahead of Chris Riggott.