A SHELLSHOCKED Julio Arca admitted he still can't believe Middlesbrough were on the receiving end of a comprehensive 3-0 scoreline at the weekend.

The Boro midfielder was left to reflect on a game where, had they taken their chances, the club would have been travelling back to Teesside on Saturday night with three points in the bag.

Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli, in particular, missed gilt-edged opportunities.

But thanks to a crazy five minutes at the beginning of the second half, Middlesbrough found themselves staring at a defeat after conceding two quick goals.

"The result suggests that we were badly beaten but anyone who was at the game knows that was not the case," said a bewildered Arca.

"They scored two goals straight away (after half-time) and obviously that changed the game. After that it was always going to be an uphill struggle.

"We tried to keep going and score a goal and get back into the game but it wasn't our day.

"The first half was pretty even but I think we didn't come out quick enough and ultimately we were punished. But the last 20 minutes we did OK but obviously the game was over by then.

"It was a big disappointment. We created a lot of chances but we didn't put the ball in the back of the net. And if you don't score there is always a chance you will concede.

"In this league no one feels sorry for you, but confidence is still high and these things happen.

"I was surprised by the score and nobody expected to get beat as bad as that. And we had three chances to score a goal too. But they were more awake than us in the second half.

"Hopefully next week we can change it around and win."

Aliadiere, meanwhile, is to have a scan this morning to examine the serious extent of his hamstring injury.

The former Arsenal striker was withdraw from the proceedings at Upton Park on the half-hour. If he has suffered a tear then he faces between four to eight weeks on the sidelines, depending on what grade the tear is.

Fabio Rochemback and Andrew Taylor were also withdrawn during the game at West Ham but they were taken off for precautionary reasons.

Both are expected to be fit for Saturday's Tees-Wear derby with Sunderland at the Riverside.

Malcolm Christie, freed by Boro at the end of last season, will play for Hull City on trial tomorrow. The Tigers reserve side take on Rotherham and Christie will play as part of his two-week trial on Humberside.

Owen Hargreaves has virtually written off his chances of making his Champions League debut for Manchester United in Lisbon tomorrow.

The 26-year-old pulled out of the recent England double-header with a thigh strain and also sat out Saturday's Premier League win at Everton.

Sir Alex Ferguson was optimistic Hargreaves would be fit for the trip to Portugal, but Hargreaves was unable to train yesterday morning and now appears resigned to setting his sights on the weekend game with Chelsea instead.