The mathematics may be against them but Tevez is at least trying his level best to give the Hammers a chance, this win only the second time they have recorded back-toback victories this season.

He crossed for Bobby Zamora to open the scoring before doubling the lead on half-time, as well as endearing himself to the fans with his tremendous workrate.

Tevez was given a rest himself with nine minutes to go and received a standing ovation. In contrast, Boro were toothless in attack and their season is in danger of fizzling out as they creep over the 40-point mark.

And they were caught cold almost immediately here.

After only two minutes, Mark Noble caught Fabio Rochemback dwelling in possession, with the ball falling to Tevez on the right flank. The Argentina forward's cross ricocheted off Pogatetz and Andrew Taylor before Zamora finished from close range.

It was his ninth of the season and set the tone for the Hammers, who were full of energy and galvanised by Noble's efforts in the centre.

Tevez was just as impressive with his industry and he was in the thick of the action, crossing for Matthew Etherington in the fifth minute before going on a mazy run which only ended when Abel Xavier nipped in as he was about to shoot.

Such a bright opening was inevitably difficult to sustain and Boro had a few halfchances, Aiyegbeni Yakubu giving them a warning with a shot George McCartney had to block for a corner. However, despite Boro's attempts, they never looked like they had the cutting edge of West Ham and it was the hosts who looked dangerous.

Tevez finally doubled the lead in the 45th minute, McCartney's deep cross hitting Taylor's knee and the West Ham forward finished from close range for his third in three matches after taking more than six months to open his account in England.

The start of the second half lacked the pace and intensity of the first, with Boro still struggling to break down a West Ham defence.

Tevez thought he should have had a penalty when his cross appeared to strike Taylor, while Noble's determination almost came at a price as he threw himself at a Boateng shot and took the ball in the face. The midfielder was able to carry on and the Hammers went in search of their third, with only Schwarzer denying them.