Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has hit back at pundits writing off his team.

On Match of the Day last week in the wake of their home defeat against Chelsea, Mark Lawrenson and Kevin Kilbane became the latest pundits to predict tough times ahead.

“We should have won at Arsenal and we drew at Manchester City," he said.

“And I'd like to know how many chances any side near the bottom of the table create against Chelsea, City or Arsenal.

“It's not easy against any of them. Anyone who plays against them will find they can only create a few chances."