Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren praised his players for a ‘magnificent performance’ in the 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Riverside Stadium.
The former number two at Old Trafford said: “I thought my players were magnificent.
“The performance justifies the result. I thought we deserved to win. We had a point to prove and the players did the job magnificently.
“We went for it today playing three strikers. It was satisfying that they all scored.
“In the second half we had to be on the front foot after the break. I thought it was important today to get a result for our sell-out crowd.
“These were three massive points.
“We needed a result for our own team not for anyone else in the Championship race.†McClaren could not forecast who will be the eventual champions. “It is a strange league because you cannot play anywhere for an easy game," he added.
“I think the Premiership has improved every year, this season in particular. There will be a lot more twist and turns ahead with four or five teams in with a shout.†Manchester United will have to show more urgency if they are to be in with a shout.
Their big name stars were a huge disappointment at the Riverside where Middlesbrough maintained their unbeaten record.
Not even the arrival of second-half substitutes David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand could pull the game round for United.
Skipper Roy Keane was relatively quiet in his first senior appearance since August. It will take some time before Keane is fully fit and the fierce competitor of old.
Alen Boksic put Middlesbrough ahead just before the break with a stylish goal. Szilard Nemeth shook off John O'Shea for the second three minutes into the second half.
United pulled a goal back through Ryan Giggs after 60 minutes but Joseph-Desire Job wrapped up the points for Middlesbrough with a third goal five minutes from time.