TWO goals from Bolo Zenden capped a fluent team display as Boro kept top spot in Group E, winning with a scoreline which flattered Lazio.

Paolo Di Canio almost celebrated his first return to this country with a goal, a crisply hit curling shot from 25 yards bringing a smart full-length save from Schwarzer.

But it was Boro who opened the scoring in spectacular style.

Chris Riggott started the move going with a fine ball from the centre-circle inside his own half. Stewart Downing showed great control just inside the Lazio penalty area and sent over a low cross.

Couto's clearance wasn't effective, falling to Zenden on the edge of the penalty area, from where he lashed an unstoppable volley into Casazza's bottom left-hand corner.

Franck Queudrue then went on a powerful run down the left, a run which ended with a cross which was turned round a corner.

Again Lazio failed to defend, Mark Viduka took control on his chest and sent an acrobatic overhead kick from an angled eight yards inches over the bar with Casazza beaten.

The longer the half wore on the more dominant Boro became and Parlour was only inches over with a 20-yard drive.

Viduka squandered a fine chance to increase Boro's lead when showing fine close control inside the Lazio penalty area, but all the good work was let down with a poor shot-cum-cross from the edge of the six-yard box.

Downing was involved in most good things at this stage, latching on to a well played long ball to leave Casazza stranded outside his area. Couto covered well, but only cleared to Viduka on the edge of the area. But he headed tamely at the now properly positioned goalkeeper when attempting to head over him.

A superb finish put Boro two-up with 71 minutes played.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink shot powerfully from 20 yards, Casazza palmed away and Downing's return cross was deflected for a corner.

A Downing delivery when play restarted picked out Zenden, who stretched and twisted to place a fine header across Casazza and into the bottom corner.

It was nearly better two minutes later but Viduka, from a Downing cross, put the ball on the roof of the net as opposed to in it.

TEAMS

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; McMahon, Riggott, Southgate (Capt), Queudrue, Parlour, Boateng, Zenden, Downing, Viduka, Hasselbaink (Job 81). Unused subs: Nash (gk); Cooper, Doriva, Morrison, Wilson, Davies.

Lazio: Casazza; Couto, Lopez, Oddo, Seric; Dabo, Giannichedda (Melara 13), Filippini, Di Canio, Cesar, Delgado (Rocchi). Unused subs: De Angelis (gk); Manfredini, Pandev, Sannibale, Torroni.

REFEREE: Mr Yuri Baskakov, Russia

BOOKINGS

Middlesbrough: None

Lazio: None

ATTENDANCE: 33,991

CONDITIONS: Cool and still

WEBSITE BORO MAN OF THE MATCH: Stewart Downing