Aitor Karanka has said that Middlesbrough's win over Norwich City in the Championship this evening is "absolutely vital" to the team's promotion challenge.

Alexander Tettey's own goal early in the meeting at Carrow Road handed Boro a 1-0 win, moving them back to the top of the table, while dropping the Canaries to fourth.

The manager told BBC Sport: "We have to be consistent because we do not have so many strikers and not so many goals as the other teams. This win is absolutely vital for us.

"We have 25 players who fight for every single ball and when they play their best they deserve to be in the Premier League for sure.

"We have won the first one of the three and now we have to win the last two. But for now I am very proud of my players."

Bournemouth and Watford both have games in hand over Middlesbrough, and can move back above Karanka's side tomorrow.