Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink handed Middlesbrough a precious 1-0 win against UEFA Cup group D rivals Grasshoppers with his first goal of the season.
Middlesbrough made their intentions clear from the offset with Gaizka Mendieta curling a 25-yard free-kick close which forced Fabio Coltorti into a flying save.
The hosts' keeper had to look lively moments later when Australian Mark Viduka found time in the box and was only denied by Coltorti's outstretched boot.
Hasselbaink then found the opening they were looking for after Doriva played a one-two with Viduka and the Dutch striker sidefooted home from 12 yards.
Grasshoppers thought they had levelled when Eduardo turned the ball into the net from close range after 'Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer had spilled a shot, but the strike was ruled offside.
Another effort from Eduardo then flew over the crossbar and another went sailing high over from Rogerio.
Eduardo came out fired up for the second half and soon had the Boro defence under pressure before Schwarzer parried a shot from the striker.
Hasselbaink then drove home what he thought was his second goal of the night although that too was ruled offside.
Before the final whistle the hosts twice came close through Rogerio, who could only watch as a flicked header beat Schwarzer but went wide of goal before an ambitious diving header forced the keeper to scramble the ball to safety.
