Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has lavished praise on his players following Sunday's 2-1 win over Sunderland in the Premier League.
Cristhian Stuani's first-half brace proved enough for Boro to claim all the points at the Stadium of Light and continue their unbeaten start to the 2016-17 campaign.
Karanka has insisted that it is "always important to win" and said that he is "pleased for the players and the crowd" following the narrow victory.
"The most important thing as always is the points. It's always important to win, especially in a derby and for our crowd who have been waiting for this moment for a long time, so I'm pleased for the players and the crowd," Karanka told Sky Sports News.
"The key was the first half. I told the players they would start at 150% but with players of the quality of Stuani we were able to score a first goal like that which opened up the game. In the second half we had problems but that's normal. The players showed we are ready for the season. We are playing well, compact and with intensity so it was important to get points as quickly as possible."
Middlesbrough are in League Cup action away to Fulham on Wednesday ahead of a trip to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League next Sunday afternoon.
Matt Law
