Dunne header gives City vital win

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MANCHESTER, England -- A Richard Dunne header was enough for Manchester City to beat Middlesbrough 1-0 and record their first win in four league games.

The City captain rose to nod in Joey Barton's corner in the 24th minute to lift the pressure on manager Stuart Pearce.

Pearce included Ben Thatcher in his starting line-up after his eight-match ban for his horrific challenge on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes -- but the defender was virtually untroubled as the visitors toiled.

Middlesbrough substitute Massimo Maccarone hit the post twice late on but City held on for a welcome win.

They did so in front of a crowd of 36,720, the lowest for a City Premiership home game since they left Maine Road in 2003.

City made a nervous start but they sprung to life when Paul Dickov raced down the left channel, only to see his chip over keeper Mark Schwarzer go wide.

Moments later, Georgios Samaras burst clear down the opposite side but Schwarzer denied the Greek striker from a tight angle.

The pressure told only a minute later when Dunne, who had endured a torrid time against Wigan, rose to head in Barton's corner.

Boro desperately needed to improve after the break but with Yakubu and Jason Euell struggling to form a cohesive partnership up front, the visitors were always looking to pick up scraps.

A turgid game provided some welcome entertainment in the closing minutes, with Darius Vassell squandering two good chances to wrap up victory for City.

At the other end, Maccarone hit the same post twice -- meaning Boro still ended the game without a shot on target.

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