RIVAL boss Aitor Karanka concurred with Eddie Howe when he described Middlesbrough’s 0-0 draw with Cherries as “a good point for us”.

The Boro head coach added: “It was a difficult game for both teams. We were at the top and I know what people were expecting.

"For us, it was a very good point. We showed our consistency and we were happy.

“Sometimes, the players were a bit anxious and I can understand that because Bournemouth are one of the best teams in the league and it is a new position for us but the crowd were fantastic.

“They know when the game is going in a difficult way or when the players are a bit nervous but they were really behind them and were perfect.”

Karanka, who celebrated his first anniversary in the Riverside hot seat, added: “I am happy because, if you look at the table, we are better than when we arrived.

"This time last season, we were nine points below the play-offs and, now, we are four above seventh place.

“We have to keep going the same way. We have picked up seven points from a difficult week. 

"Everybody was speaking about the top of the table and everyone was getting excited but I am happy with the way we are working.”