Manchester City added to Middlesbrough's relegation worries after they beat Gareth Southgate's side 1-0 in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Craig Bellamy scored the only goal of the game early in the second half to lift City up to ninth and leave Middlesbrough still one place off the bottom, dpa reported.
Shay Given, on his debut for City, made a number of good saves in each half, denying Afonso Alves two good goalscoring chances.
At the other end, Middlesbrough held form until six minutes into the second half when Bellamy created space for himself on the right-hand side of the area, and fired a low shot into the far corner.
Later on Saturday, Liverpool can go top of the table, for a few hours at least, if they win at Portsmouth. Champions Manchester United, two points clear at the top, are away to West Ham United on Sunday.