Parker told to hit goal trail

ALAN Curbishley has challenged match-winner Scott Parker to rediscover his golden touch and propel West Ham to European football.

Parker showed composure, skill and a deadly finish to ensure the Hammers secured maximum points over Middlesbrough in the 90th minute at The Riverside.

Now Curbishley has called on Parker to use his fine solo effort against Boro — who went ahead through David Wheater after 40 minutes before Dean Ashton thundering drive levelled the scores four minutes later — as the springboard for a good campaign.

“I’ve asked Parker to be a bit more offensive than he was at Newcastle,” the Hammers boss revealed.

“When I had him at Charlton, he could do a bit of both. At Newcastle, I feel he was a bit more responsible. So I’ve asked him he can get a bit more into the box and a pinch us a goal.”

Curbishley’s relationship with Parker was believed to have soured somewhat when he opted to leave the Valley for Stamford Bridge but there is now nothing but respect for the hard work the player has put in at Upton Park in the face of adversity.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was distraught to see his side toss away a three-game winning streak.

“We’ve taken a kick in the nuts here but we’ve got to get it out of our system,” Southgate said.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer 6, Young 6, Woodgate 6 (Huth 63, 5), Wheater 7, Pogatetz 7, Johnson 5 (Cattermole 77, 5), Boateng 6, Arca 8, Downing 5, Aliadiere 6, Tuncay 6.

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Shawky, Lee.

WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 6, Neill 6, Upson 6, McCartney 5, Spector 5, Solano 6 (Noble 76, 5), Parker 7, Mullins 6, Ljungberg 5, Camara 5 (Pantsil 85, 5), Ashton 6.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Dailly, Ephraim.

REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire) 6: Over-zealous on occasion but his handling was generally assured.

MATCH RATING: ** Excellent goals were out of keeping with a generally humdrum encounter.