MIDDLESBROUGH had their moments. Those moments just weren’t enough and Manchester City could have racked up a big score in the second half at the Riverside Stadium.

In the end a goal each for David Silva and Sergio Aguero, one in each half, secured City’s passage to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final and Boro are left to think about the Premier League again.

Here are the main talking points on an afternoon when Middlesbrough were undone by the greater attacking quality of Manchester City.

CROWD RESPONSE

After the reaction of some Boro fans towards Aitor Karanka at Stoke City a week earlier, it was always going to be interesting to see what they were like today.

More than 30,000 supporters, the majority of which were from Teesside, could have turned on Karanka again in a big way had things gone awry.

Even though Middlesbrough suffered another defeat, there were aspects of the display that were heartening. For one, after falling behind inside three minutes to Silva’s opener, the red shirts were spirited in their approach and the fans appreciated that.

There were a few boos at different times, but nothing really for the manager. Gaston Ramirez, who has disappointed since the move to Leicester City he wanted was rejected, was jeered as he warmed up and before he was sent on.

Otherwise the supporters cannot be accused of being negative on an afternoon when they were also appreciative of the attacking quality Manchester City had on show.

WHERE’S THE NO 10?

While Manchester City could have played any one of their four men behind the striker, or even holding midfielder Yaya Toure as an attacking playmaker in the middle, Boro couldn’t.

That is why Ramirez was perceived to be so important to Middlesbrough by Karanka when he refused to let him join Leicester. Given his lack of form, there must be a few regrets.

Today Middlesbrough had to rely on the midfield triumvirate of Adam Clayton, Grant Leadbitter and Marten de Roon. All three, particularly the latter two, did their bit and created one or two things in the final third.

None of those, though, could claim to be a No 10. Middlesbrough need to find that creativity they lack from somewhere in the final 11 Premier League games, otherwise it will be Championship football next season.

NO DOWNING OR BAMFORD?

Interestingly two players who could play behind the striker in a Ramirez role are Stewart Downing and Patrick Bamford … neither even made the bench.

Bamford was his £6m signing in January and is not deemed ready to start games, while Downing is the hometown player whose face has rarely seemed to fit under the Spaniard.

There were suggestions of a fall-out between Downing and Karanka before the trip to Stoke City and he hasn’t been in the match-day squad since.

When Karanka was asked about the pair’s absence, he explained: “In the difficult moments, I need 18 fighters in my team. The place they show me that they are ready to play and fighting is on the training ground. I am with them every day. On a Friday I will always choose 18 fighters.”

Those are interesting comments at a time when Ramirez’s recent performances have been below par and he was booed by sections of fans today.

SLOW STARTERS

Middlesbrough will be kicking themselves for starting slowly. It cost them an early goal, with Silva converting from inside six yards. For some reason Middlesbrough invited pressure with the way they set up initially.

It was no coincidence that when Middlesbrough started to put City under greater pressure, with the high press, that the visitors’ defence was caused more problems.

They could easily have conceded an equaliser before the break, which was why it was a blow when the aerial presence of Rudy Gestede was lost because of injury.

After the restart Manchester City took command. Middlesbrough kept plugging away and occasionally threatened. Overall it would have taken something special for Middlesbrough to win having fallen behind so early on.

MANAGERIAL REACTION

Aitor Karanka said: “I can take a lot of positives and I prefer to do that. We have recovered our consistency and confidence. The way we approached the game, conceding the goal at the beginning, the reaction was good.

“We can’t forget we are playing against one of the best teams in the league and Champions League. They rested players to play us so they considered us a strong team.

“We need to know that they consider us a good team. With that goal, with Rudy’s injury, then Bernardo’s injury … the second goal was difficult. The effort and the player spirit was amazing. Losing 2-0 and the way they were working was amazing. I can be proud of them.”

Pep Guardiola said: “How many chances did Middlesbrough create? Three or four? But in that period they didn’t score goals and we created more chances, as we did even against Chelsea, Tottenham and all the best teams. Today was similar.

“We are here because of the way we played and I’m so pleased with our performance. We played Stoke three days ago and Middlesbrough had all week to prepare. When you have a desire to win something, being tired doesn’t exist.

“This is how we play all the games in the season. They are desperate to play good and win games and I don’t remembers any games we were not ready to try to win them.”