Boro overcome anxiety to earn deserved point

Manager Aitor Karanka said: “I am very happy because it was a very difficult game. You could feel the excited atmosphere.

“I think the players were a little anxious and I can understand that. It’s a new situation for us and we played against one of the best teams in the league.

“It is no coincidence that they are where they are so I am very happy. I am very pleased because it’s just one year since I arrived.

“One year ago, we were eight points below the play-offs and now we are four points ahead of seventh.

“We know it will be difficult to keep this position but if we work in the same way, we will get to our objective.”

A season-best crowd of 22,930 turned out at the Riverside for the day’s most eye-catching second-tier contest.

Those in attendance will have left wondering what might have been as defences had the decisive say.

Anticipation was high for the meeting of first versus second, although each side dropped a place ahead of kick-off after Derby rose to the summit with a 5-0 win over Wolves in the early game.

Goals were not forthcoming in an entertaining opening period, with the best effort coming when Adam Reach rattled the crossbar.

A game that had promised so much petered out during a drab second half to ensure Bournemouth ended the day second, a place ahead of their opponents.

Bournemouth almost slipped out of the Football League just five and a half years ago amid crippling financial issues.

Their manager Eddie Howe declared himself satisfied with the result, which leaves his side just a point adrift of Derby.

He said: “It was really nip-and-tuck. I thought it was a high-quality game. Middlesbrough started better but we grew into the game.

“We had the best chances in the game and our goalkeeper had little to do, which is a good sign.

“We came here to win and we were positive. Middlesbrough are a good side who have been on a good run, like we have. We are happy with a point but it shows the mentality of the side we’re a little disappointed not to win.”

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Fredericks, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Wildschut (Garcia 46), Tomlin (Vossen 80), Reach, Bamford (Adomah 68). Unused substitutes: Whitehead, Nsue, Veljkovic, Mejias.

Bournemouth: Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie (Fraser 74), Arter, Surman, Pugh, Kermorgant (Pitman 74), Wilson. Unused substitutes: Camp, Gosling, Rantie, Harte, Smith.

Referee: S Hooper (Wiltshire).

Burnley last year proved that unlikely promotions are possible when they overcame pre-season relegation tips to reach the Barclays Premier League.

And Howe admits Bournemouth can take inspiration from his former club, adding: “These are exciting times. We did not really expect to be in this position and we are enjoying it.

“Every club in the Championship is looking at Burnley to see what can be achieved with a small squad and limited resources.

“They had two excellent goalscorers and we are a very different proposition, but there are principles there that we can take.”