Middlesbrough's collective self-belief is beginning to rub off on Massimo Maccarone.

The Italian striker scored his third goal in five games today in this comfortable victory.

It was no more than the £8.15million striker deserved for the industrious shift he put in.

Maccarone has struggled to adapt after moving from Empoli but there are signs he may yet prove to be value for money as he is growing in confidence.

Middlesbrough are on a roll and have kept the momentum going since lifting the Carling Cup. Manager Steve McClaren made two changes to the team that drew with Chelsea.

Defender Danny Mills and midfielder Bolo Zenden were restored to the starting line-up with Stuart Parnaby and Jonathan Greening stepping down.

Colin Cooper continued at the back with both Chris Riggott and Gareth Southgate injured.

With defender Jason Dodd ruled out with a knee problem, Stephen Crainey was recalled to the Southampton side.

Southampton almost went ahead in the seventh minute when David Prutton clipped in a shot from 20 yards, only to see it go narrowly wide.

Middlesbrough responded and Szilard Nemeth found space in the area but headed tamely in the arms of goalkeeper Antti Niemi.

Southampton defender Danny Higginbotham was then forced to make a crucial clearance after a good cross from Franck Queudrue.

This was a good spell of pressure by Middlesbrough and Niemi had to look alert to save Juninho's effort from the edge of the area.

Middlesbrough made the breakthrough after 23 minutes when Juninho scored his ninth goal of the season.

He nipped in at the near post after Nemeth had cleverly cut the ball back into his path.

Southampton almost drew level when Claus Lundekvam's shot took a deflection in the 26th minute and Maccarone cleared off the line.

Middlesbrough extended their lead in the 31st minute when Gaizka Mendieta unlocked the Saints defence and released Maccarone.

Lundekvam steered the ball back towards Niemi but the Finnish goalkeeper only succeeded in finding Nemeth, who made no mistake.

The influential Mendieta then thumped a shot wide and Nemeth found the body of Niemi with his effort in an impressive first-half show by Middlesbrough.

Southampton were clearly rattled after going into the match on the back of three wins in four games.

But manager Paul Sturrock decided not to switch things around at the break despite the two-goal deficit.

He saw his team begin the second half brightly with Fabrice Fernandes firing in a shot that was deflected to safety by George Boateng.

However their defensive shortcomings were again exposed in the 49th minute when Middlesbrough went 3-0 ahead.

Queudrue threaded the ball through to Maccarone and he toe-poked it beyond Niemi.

It was becoming a rout and Juninho got away on the right only to send a shot into the arms of Niemi.

Southampton made a rare burst forward in the 61st minute but Queudrue was handily placed at the back post to head away a cross from substitute Marian Pahars.

Middlesbrough looked to be in the comfort zone and were just content to keep it simple.

Southampton, however, pulled a goal back in the 69th minute to give themselves a chance.

Beattie took advantage of a weak punch by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to volley the ball home.

Juninho darted into the penalty area after 74 minutes but Niemi got down quickly to turn his effort away and Mendieta was given a standing ovation when he came off five minutes from time when he was replaced by Greening.

The Spanish midfielder has already agreed a long-term deal and the fans have quickly taken him to their hearts.

For Southampton supporters there was only a long journey home to reflect on after a poor performance from their team.

Teams

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Queudrue, Mills, Ehiogu, Cooper, Mendieta (Greening 86), Boateng, Zenden, Juninho Paulista (Ricketts 89), Nemeth (Downing 82), Maccarone.

Subs Not Used: Jones, Bates.

Goals: Juninho Paulista 23, Nemeth 32, Maccarone 49.

Southampton Niemi, Telfer, Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Crainey, Prutton, Delap (Anders Svensson 81), Folly, Fernandes (Pahars 56), Phillips, Beattie.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Hall, Ormerod.

Goals: Beattie 70.

Att: 30,768

Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).