Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka saw reasons for optimism following his side's second-half display against Tottenham.
Aitor Karanka believes Middlesbrough showed they can compete with the Premier League's best, despite going down 2-1 to Tottenham at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough were keen to show what they are made of after last week's 3-1 loss at Everton, but they struggled in the opening 45 minutes as Son Heung-min netted twice to give Spurs a 2-0 lead.
A Ben Gibson header saw Boro get back in the game and Karanka focused on that positive, despite his side being unable to level matters in the remainder of the game.