Downing gives Capello reason to cheer

That the major thrust of a Middlesbrough display flowing with verve and creativity came from Turkey, France, Brazil and Argentina was a sobering reminder of his task.

Gareth Southgate's side were full value for the win and Stewart Downing gave Capello a performance of quality from someone he can actually pick.

Downing's highlight came the 20th minute, creating the chance for Jeremie Aliadiere to score only his second goal since leaving Arsenal.

It was also pleasant viewing for Afonso Alves, who will move to the Riverside Stadium if Heerenveen and Middlesbrough can agree on a fee and he is granted a work permit at a hearing on Wednesday.

Capello and Alves both have looked on in admiration in the seventh minute, when Tuncay produced a moment of true quality to go within inches of putting Boro ahead.

The Turkish forward picked up a pass 10 yards inside the Wigan half and skipped past Titus Bramble before beating a retreating Paul Scharner twice. It was fine skill and the deft chip from eight yards that followed needed a touch from Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to tip it wide.

It was at least an indication of Middlesbrough's intent. Accused of lacking ambition for selling Jonathan Woodgate to Spurs, this was their answer.

Southgate has at least been bold enough to repeatedly tell his side to drive at the opposition and three minutes later they again went close.

Downing was afforded too much space on the left and picked up a pass from Tuncay before firing a low cross that would have reached Aliadiere inside the six-yard box but for Bramble's intervention.

Just past the quarter hour mark, Tuncay again came within a whisker of beating Kirkland. Gary O'Neil started the move and Aliadiere's low cross was met by the Turk who prodded his finish wide.

Wigan could barely get out of their half but when they finally did, in the 20th minute, they provided the space for a deserved opener. Downing was its architect, chipping a clever ball down the left that pulled the overwhelmed Bramble and Paul Scharner out of position.

Aliadiere had the space and time to latch onto the through-ball, measure his shot and crack a rising, leftfooted drive out of the reach of Kirkland, diving to his right, for only his third Premier League goal.

Three minutes later Tuncay again went close to opening his own account for the evening, directing a Downing shot wide of Kirkland's goal.

There was precious little from Wigan, save for a speculative Marcus Bent drive and a downward Emile Heskey header that bounced over Mark Schwarzer's crossbar.

But the loss of Tuncay to an suspected hamstring injury took some momentum from the home side, although David Wheater could have added to his growing reputation when he headed a Downing free kick over Kirkland's crossbar.

The lead could have been doubled five minutes before the interval when Downing struck an O'Neil cross first time but his shotwas hacked to safety.

However there was a reminder of Emile Heskey's own strength midway through the second half when he headed an Antonio Valencia corner wide.