Middlesbrough 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2: Aitor Karanka will not rush Boro's rookie Traore

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka is refusing to rush Adama Traore despite defeat to Tottenham.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka sits on the dugout bench during his sides home defeat to Tottenham at The Riverside Stadium.Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka sits on the dugout bench during his sides home defeat to Tottenham at The Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka sits on the dugout bench during his sides home defeat to Tottenham at The Riverside Stadium.

Boro boss Karanka cut a figure of frustration after his side’s third straight loss, despite a much improved second-half display which indicated their potential to hold their own in the top-flight.

Key in the mini revival was Adama Traore who lent his side plenty of attacking impetus after being introduced on the hour.

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Despite enduring a torrid introduction to the Premier League with Aston Villa last season, Karanka believes the 20-year-old Spaniard is beginning to show glimpses of his true potential.

He said: “I know everybody will talk about Adama this week but we have to stay calm with him. His potential is huge but I have to teach him because is a young player and has to learn.

“I think he can have an impact playing for 90 minutes but for now he is coming from the bench because last season was very difficult for him.

“He was 19 years old and he was in a different country speaking a different language. But he’s been training well and had an impact so for him it is a good step forward.”

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Son Heung-min fired a cool seventh-minute finish past Victor Valdes after picking up Vincent Janssen’s neat lay-off and dribbling across the face of the box.

And he doubled Spurs’ lead in the 23rd minute when he seized on hesitation in the Boro defence to turn and deliver a superb right-footed finish past the keeper.

Spurs hung on comfortably despite Ben Gibson’s late header to reduce the deficit.

Karanka questioned the attitude of his players. He said: “It’s frustrating for me to work for seven days to try to show them how Tottenham play and how good they are if we let them play, then we go on the pitch and seven minutes later we are losing 1-0.

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“These mistakes were made last week and the week before, but the worst and most frustrating thing for me was the attitude, especially in the first half because in the second half we were completely different.”

However, Karanka insisted he retains belief in his current squad having pointed to their misfortune at home to Crystal Palace and a strong start against Everton at Goodison Park last week.

Karanka added: “It’s not about ability because we know Everton have more quality players than us and Tottenham have more quality players than us. It is about convincing them that they are good players. It’s true we have lost three games in a row but the players know the problem.”

Middlesbrough: Valdes, Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend, de Roon, Clayton (Forshaw 82), Stuani, Ramirez (Traore 59), Downing, Negredo (Rhodes 59). 
Unused substitutes: Ayala, Fischer, Guzan, Nsue.

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Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Eriksen (Nkoudou 90), Wanyama, Alli, Sissoko (Lamela 70), Janssen (Winks 86), Son. Unused substitutes: Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Carter-Vickers.

Referee: G Scott (Oxfordshire).