Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has hailed his side's first-half display in their 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers as one of the best in his tenure at the club.

Diego Fabbrini put the North-East outfit ahead in the seventh minute and Kike scored a brace to put the game beyond the Trotters, allowing Karanka's men to hold out for the three points at the Riverside Stadium.

The Spaniard told BBC Sport: "It could be the best half we've played in my time in charge. It was an amazing first half. We played the way I want to play always.

"We have very good players and I have a very good squad. I told them before the game that last week was an example of us entering the game thinking it would be easy.

"We have to have the same attitude as this game, and we have to forget the final and last season."

Middlesbrough are next in action against Derby County on Tuesday.