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Middlesbrough star Stewart Downing: This is what I think of Gaston Ramirez's goal
STEWART DOWNING rates Gaston Ramirez's wonder strike among the best solo efforts that the Middlesbrough midfielder has seen in a career where he has played with and against the world's top players.
Middlesbrough midfielder Gaston Ramirez scoring in his goal in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth
Ramirez lit up the Riverside with his stunning individual goal as he won possession midway inside Middlesbrough's half in the 39th minute, skipped past Harry Arter and raced up field before turning Andrew Surman inside the box and slotted past Artur Boruc.
Downing then doubled Boro's lead after half-time with his first Premier League goal for his hometown club in more than eight years.
Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing making it 2-0 against Bournemouth
It was a very, very good goal from Gaston
"It was a very, very good goal from Gaston," said Downing. "He has blocked it for a start in midfield, kept running and I'm just shouting "run, run run", trying to get out of our half. I thought Arter was going to foul him to be honest.
"The big thing is it's a calm finish. He ran a long way and could easily have ballooned it with tired legs."
Bournemouth midfielder Jack Wilshere battling for possession with Alvaro Negredo
Downing's last top-flight strike for Boro was in an 8-1 victory over Manchester City at the Riverside in 2008. "I was due it," he said.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said: "There were positives such as Jack Wilshere's performance. I thought that was his best game for us. He has improved again from last week.
"He's going to need to perform at his best levels to get an England recall. I certainly think the way his improvement has been seen under us there are good things ahead for Jack - if he can stay on the pitch."