AITOR KARANKA is still haunted by the memory of Middlesbrough’s resounding early-season defeat to Everton – but is convinced his side are in much better shape to take on the Toffees today than they were back in September.

Boro were sitting in the top half of the table when they travelled to Goodison Park for their fifth game of the campaign, and all seemed to be going well when Maarten Stekelenburg’s 21st-minute own goal handed them the lead.

However, Everton were level within three minutes thanks to Gareth Barry, and further first-half goals from Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku ensured Middlesbrough suffered what remains their heaviest away defeat.

The two sides lock horns again at the Riverside this afternoon, but while Everton’s subsequent form has seen them cement a position in the top seven places in the table, Boro have slipped to within a point of the relegation zone.

Nevertheless, Karanka is convinced he presides over a better side now than was the case five months ago, and is confident his players will get back to winning ways following a four-day training break in Spain.

“We realised how difficult the Premier League was that day (when Middlesbrough lost 3-1 at Goodison Park),” said the Boro head coach. “We competed against Everton in the second half, but for 15 minutes in the first half, they were much better than us and we couldn’t compete.

“After that game, we’ve improved a lot. It’s difficult to score goals and create chances, but we’re improving a lot and we’re competing against every team.

“We had a chance to beat Tottenham last week, and we are more mature and more experienced now than then.”

While Boro’s last ten games have seen them score six goals – three of which came on a single afternoon against Swansea – Everton managed to score six on their last outing against Bournemouth.

Ronald Koeman’s side have clicked into gear in the last few weeks, and in the in-form Lukaku, they boast one of the most dangerous centre-forwards in the whole of Europe.

Lukaku scored four last weekend, and his tally of 16 league goals makes him the Premier League’s leading goalscorer ahead of the likes of Diego Costa, Zlatan Ibrahimovich and Alexis Sanchez.

The Belgian was all but unplayable when Boro visited Merseyside in September, having also run the Teessiders’ defence ragged when he scored in Everton’s Capital One Cup quarter-final win at the Riverside last season.

Calum Chambers is expected to start alongside Ben Gibson at the heart of the Boro’s back four this afternoon, and Karanka has spent a large amount of time in Spain this week working on defensive drills.

Boro handled Harry Kane reasonably well last weekend, even though the Tottenham striker scored his side’s winner from the penalty spot, and while Karanka respects Lukaku’s qualities, he is confident his players can cope with the former Chelsea striker’s threat.

“It’s difficult (to stop him),” he said. “We’ve played against him twice, and he scored in the cup (last season) and against us in the league. But we are more experienced, the defenders have more experience, and I hope we can stop him.”

Everton can close to within two points of Manchester United with a win today, and Karanka has been impressed with Koeman’s rebuilding work since he replaced Roberto Martinez at Goodison.

The top of the table has become increasingly congested in recent weeks, but Karanka regards Everton as strong contenders for a European place.

“That (qualifying for Europe) was their aim,” he said. “They have good players and a good coach, and started the season well. They are in a good position, and are fighting for the places against good teams.”

Karanka is set to restore Gaston Ramirez to his starting line-up for today’s game, with the Uruguayan having recovered from the knee injury that has prevented him from appearing since the start of January.

Ramirez’s future remained uncertain right up to the closing of the transfer window, with the attacking midfielder having submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Leicester City.

Boro officials rejected a bid of around £10m from the reigning Premier League champions, but the rumours over Ramirez’s future have not abated, with Liverpool the latest club to be linked with a possible move in the summer.

Be that as it may, Karanka is understood to have been satisfied with Ramirez’s attitude during this week’s Spanish training break, and is set to restore the 26-year-old to the starting line-up, with Adama Traore expected to play on the opposite side of lone striker Alvaro Negredo.