ADAM FORSHAW thinks Middlesbrough’s impressive recent form in the Premier League is what dreams are made of, and the focus is on maintaining the high standards they are setting.

Boro are unbeaten in three after following up a goalless draw with Arsenal and a victory over Bournemouth by claiming another point at Manchester City.

There has been some criticism of the way Aitor Karanka had set up his team to frustrate City on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola leading it, but the tactics secured a result at the Etihad Stadium.

Forshaw is enjoying life in the Premier League, even if it means having to dig in against some of the world’s best players to grind out a result having waited years for his top-flight chance.

The 25-year-old’s only previous outing in the top tier before this season was as a substitute for Everton in April 2011 at Wolves, having worked his way back up after spells in the Championship with Brentford, Wigan and Boro.

“It was obviously a brilliant feeling when the goal went in at Manchester City on Saturday,” said Forshaw. “For me personally, you dream when you’re growing up of playing in games like this and doing well. From a personal point of view, it was a brilliant feeling, and for Marten de Roon (who scored the equaliser) and the team it’s brilliant.

“There’s no question City have got world-class players. They’re so talented right throughout the team, and they’re always going to have spells where they do pen you in. But you have to ride that, keep a tight unit and try to break quickly, and we obviously got the reward in the end.”

City’s failure to beat Boro means Guardiola’s side trail leaders Liverpool by two points, but Forshaw believes the Teessiders could well have stopped the next champions in their tracks.

He said: “In all honesty, I was probably more impressed with Manchester City (than Arsenal). They’re very similar in the way they play, with a really possession-based game and intricate, technical players. But I just think they penetrated a bit more and were slightly more dynamic in the final third.

“We haven’t played Liverpool yet, but I’ve been really impressed with Liverpool. I’m a Liverpool fan so I’m probably a bit biased, but I do genuinely believe they’re title contenders this season. But you’ve got Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham – there’s probably five or six up there who think they’ve got a chance.”

Boro are only a point above the relegation zone after 11 matches but after collecting five points from the last three games there is greater optimism around.

“We’re starting to pick up some points now,” said Forshaw. “The manager installed a bit more belief in us at the break, and reminded us of what we did well against Arsenal. We’re in the game to get goals, get forward and create chances, and the second half was a completely different game really.

“I don’t think we really thought about whether they would tire or not, it was more just about doing the right things and trying to get up the pitch and do what we’re good at – catch them on the counter-attack and use the pace of Adama Traore, and get bodies in and around Alvaro Negredo.”

It says a lot about the Boro squad that they have managed to go on a promising unbeaten run after failing to win any of their previous six matches and losing four of those.

Forshaw, with in-form Chelsea are the next opponents at the Riverside a week on Sunday, said: “We’re a close-knit unit. We’re a great set of lads, and I think the belief is there now after two great results away, against two massive clubs, and a really important win at home.

“We really do believe that we can go anywhere and get the points, and as long as we can make our home a fortress, I think we can really kick on now.”

Middlesbrough’s head of recruitment, Victor Orta, meanwhile, has suggested Karanka is destined for bigger things in the not too distant future.

Karanka has led Middlesbrough back to the Premier League in his three years in charge and he has been linked with a number of jobs in the last six months, even though he has outlined how he is focused on the task at the Riverside.

Orta, in an interview in Spain, said: "I have no doubt that Aitor will in the medium term coach a big team, that's for sure. We have a great coaching staff that has made the most of many of our players and has revitalised many careers.”