Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate played down his touchline bust-up with Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips during their 2-0 win.

Southgate aimed some angry words towards the City star, who appeared to respond with a gesture, but Southgate revealed afterwards he had spoken to the player and resolved their differences.

Southgate said: "I didn't think he was fouled and he wasn't very happy at the way I spoke to him.

"But I spoke to him in the tunnel and we're fine. I think we were both in the wrong and it's finished."

Meanwhile, City boss Mark Hughes said he did not see the incident, but added: "If there was, I'll speak to Shaun about it but I'm not sure what the situation is."

Southgate was delighted after goals from Afonso Alves and Gary O'Neil wrapped up a valuable win, and claimed his side had got their reward for playing without fear.

He said: "I told them more than anything else tonight I wanted them to play without fear. They're more than capable of bringing the ball forward and they've got to believe in themselves.

"It's great that we've gone into the top half of the table but we've got to build on it now. We had a buffeting emotionally last time we were here but we've taken seven points from our last four games and that's crucial.

"The players needed to give themselves a performance that gave them belief that they can play well at home, they can score late goals and they can keep clean sheets. So there are a lot of positives to take into the weekend."