AITOR KARANKA thinks Middlesbrough are well placed to build on a positive start to the season after closing the gap to the Championship’s leaders to just a point.

Boro climbed to fifth in the table with a 2-0 victory over Fulham which extended the team’s unbeaten run to six matches.

The success was secured courtesy of second half goals from Adam Reach and Albert Adomah, proving that Middlesbrough also have it within themselves to earn victories even when they do not reach top gear.

“We played very well against a very good team,” said Karanka, whose side stuttered to a 1-1 draw against Blackpool at the Riverside last Tuesday. “Fulham are going to be in a nice position at the end of the season because they have good players. We needed to work hard to win this game.

“It was a difficult game for us. The first half we didn’t play the way we are used to. We are a team comfortable with the ball. But in the second half we were more confident and when we had it we looked dangerous. It is one more game.

“I’m very pleased with our position in the league because we played very good. One point off the top? I want to be in that position come the end of the season, that’s my job.”

Reach put Middlesbrough ahead in the 46th minute when he was on hand to turn Lee Tomlin’s overhead kick over the line.

Fulham regrouped and pressed for an equaliser, but then Adomah pounced in the area to convert Kike’s cross eight minutes before the end.