Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka, has said that the 2-1 Tees-Wear derby victory over Sunderland, was a special moment for both the fans and the players.
Moment to Saviour
Fans from both Wearside and Teesside descended on the Stadium of Light, for the first league meeting between these two for seven years.
It was Boro that started the brightest, with an excellent brace from Cristhian Stuani in the first period, sending the small Teesside contingent into delirium.
Patrick van Aanholt got one back for the Black Cats, but not enough to deny Karanka his first three points as a Premier League manager, and the Spaniard spoke highly of the win after the contest.
Karanka told mfc.com: "The most important thing is the points,” but was firm in the belief "It is always most important to win the game."
The Spaniard admitted that: “But it is especially important in a derby, for the crowd," as the committed Boro fans “Have been waiting for this moment. I am pleased for the players, and for them."
When asked about his side handled the game, Karanka said: "Today we had a derby, and a lot of pressure and emotions,” and the Spaniard believed “The players handled the game really well" but remained grounded by adding "It’s important for us to continue to add points as soon as possible.”
Bringing around a good start
The club stated their intentions of top-flight survival early on, brining in the likes of Victor Valdes and Alvaro Negredo, and Karanka believes that early business has helped them in their good start.
"As a manager, you want to have the best players as possible because when you have those players you know you can score any time." said Karanka when asked about the squad.
The former assistant to Jose Mourinho concluded: "This season, we could go to Spain to a training camp with almost all the squad," and Karanka believes "For that reason we are playing well, we are compact, we are playing with intensity and it is important to collect points as soon as possible."
Middlesbrough will take on Fulham in the Football League Cup at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, August 24 with kick-off at 7:45pm BST.