Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka found positives from defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.

Boro gave as good as they got for long periods in the game and, with goalkeeper Victor Valdes in inspired form, might have emerged with something to show for their efforts.

Karanka was disappointed with the result, but delighted with much of what he saw.

Karanka said: "Playing against teams like Chelsea, we knew that it was going to be a really, really tough game, but once again we showed everybody that we can compete against the best teams in the league and once again, one mistake punished us.

"To concede a goal from a set-piece is a mistake. I don't want to blame any player because I say always we win as a team and we lose as a team, but when you concede a goal from a set-piece for me, it is a mistake.

"You can't be pleased when you have lost a game, especially at home, but I am really pleased with the attitude of the players because because playing in the way that we have been doing in the last month and a half, we are in the right way."