WEST HAM signed off the 2008/09 season in style with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough, who were relegated from the Premier League.

Carlton Cole marked his first start since returning from injury with a goal, before Junior Stanislas cancelled out Gary O'Neil's equaliser.

With Upton Park bathed in sunshine the football failed to match the setting, as both sides struggled to keep the ball and create chances.

West Ham eventually shifted up a gear and took the lead just after the half hour mark. Luis Boa Morte held the ball up on the edge of the box before slipping in the overlapping Herita Ilunga. The French left-back raced to the byline and fired a low ball across the face of goal, which Boro's defence failed to deal with, and Cole was on hand at the back post to fire the ball into the far corner.

Middlesbrough pulled back early on in the second half through O'Neil. Tuncay Sanli glided unchallenged across the 18 yard box and laid on the winger, who thundered a fierce right-footed shot into the far corner.

The Hammers remained determined to finish on a high, however, and they regained their lead just seven minutes later. Some intricate passing between Jack Collison, substitute Kieran Dyer and Lucas Neill ended when the ball was slipped to Stanislas. The youngster took a touch and unleashed a low shot from the edge of the box, which was too powerful for Brad Jones to keep out.

Dyer went close as he found himself free in the middle after good work from Cole, but the finish failed to match the build-up.

In the end, two goals was enough, and the Hammers could look back on a job well done after a turbulent season.