HE might have watched his Middlesbrough side suffer a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Chelsea, but Aitor Karanka still feels the last month has established a template that will see the Teessiders to safety provided it is repeated in the remaining six months of the season.

Boro are just one point above the relegation places after Diego Costa’s first-half finish condemned them to a fifth league defeat of the campaign, with their opponents having climbed to the top of the table for the first time this season as a result of their victory at the Riverside.

Karanka was happy with his players’ application and effort, and with yesterday’s performance having followed hot on the heels of similarly spirited displays against Arsenal and Manchester City, the Boro head coach remains unconcerned at his side’s position close to the bottom three.

The fixture list is about to get slightly easier, with four of Boro’s next six matches pitting them against Leicester, Hull, Swansea and Burnley, and Karanka claims the last few matches have proved the Teessiders’ capabilities even if they did not result in a flurry of points.

“Playing against a team like Chelsea, we knew it would be tough,” said the Boro boss, who watched his side hold the league leaders for long spells, even if their possession never really translated in a goalscoring threat. “We have shown we can compete against the best teams in the league.

“One mistake punished us, and to concede from a set-piece is the mistake. I don’t want to blame any player though because we win and lose as a team.

“You can’t be pleased losing one game, but I am pleased with the attitude of the players. Performing as we have done in the last month-and-a-half, we are going the right way.”

Boro’s lack of attacking threat was the main concern from yesterday’s game, with Alvaro Negredo cutting an increasingly frustrated figure until a 78th-minute shot finally enabled him to test Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal.

Negredo doesn’t always help himself, with his lack of movement making him relatively easy to mark unless chances are provided for him and his limited mobility restricting the scope of Boro’s attacks.

Nevertheless, Karanka remains satisfied with his input, particularly as he is not used to playing for sides battling in the wrong half of the table.

“We have to work as he is working,” he said. “He is fighting against everyone, and knowing he is playing at Boro and not Chelsea. He does not have the team-mates he has had in the past, or that Costa has at Chelsea.”

Some of Boro’s best attacking moments came courtesy of Adama Traore, although the winger still needs to ally an improved end product to his abundant pace and energy.

“Everyone is excited when he gets the ball, but he only has it for about three minutes a game,” said Karanka. “There are 87 other minutes and he has lots to improve and learn. He is young, and going this way he can be a good player.”

With Liverpool having failed to beat Southampton on Saturday, Chelsea’s victory took them to the top of the table for the first time under Conte’s management.

Having won their last six games without conceding a goal, they are one point clear of both Liverpool and Manchester City, although Conte feels it is far too early to be talking about their title-winning credentials.

“Only a month and a half ago, you saw Chelsea conceded two defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal,” he said. “After this, Chelsea were not a favourite or a team who could fight for the title until the end. Now, it is difficult to change that opinion completely.

“We are working well, but if you ask what our target is, I want to wait until the end of the first part of the Championship.

“It’s hard to say if we’re the best side in the country right now, but I’m pleased with the players because they know our fans demand that we must fight until the end. I’m seeing with my own eyes that we have special players.”