A COUPLE of minor half-time tweaks from Michael Carrick helped Middlesbrough come from behind to beat promotion rivals Blackburn, a win that lifted Boro into the Championship's top six for the first time this season.

Carrick hailed his players for once again coming from behind to win - just as they did against Luton and Norwich City.

And the head coach told of how he wasn't tempted to make any changes at half-time at Ewood Park despite the fact his side were trailing, a decision that paid off immediately as Boro scored twice in 11 minutes, with Blackburn's John Buckley also being sent off in a dramatic start to the second half.

Carrick made a couple of surprise changes, with Marcus Forss moving to the right flank and Matt Crooks leading the line. From the unfamiliar wide role, Forss scored the leveller 32 seconds into the second half, teed up by Crooks, before assisting the winner for Riley McGree.

Explaining his team selection decision, Carrick said: “I was just utilising the squad really. We have a good squad and certain players’ attributes will suit certain games. We want to try and keep a bit of freshness within the squad as well.

"Marcus has done great and got his goal the other day so we wanted to keep him in the team. He’s given us so much and he got a goal again tonight so I’m delighted for him.

"Crooksy has come on for us in that position for us most games really. So it’s not unusual for him, though it is his first start there. I thought he gave us something different and something we can use and work towards.

"He’s a great team player and he gives us so much. He could have got an early goal actually, getting in down the side and getting a shot away and causing problems all night in different ways. I was delighted for both of them."

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Asked whether he was tempted to make changes at half-time, Carrick said: "No, not really."

While Carrick didn't change his personnel, he did make a couple of tactical tweaks.

He explained: "I thought we started really well and looked dangerous. Obviously going behind like we did, a goal that was offside, was a tough one to take. Nevertheless, we stuck at it, changed a couple of things at half time. Out of possession we just felt they were getting through the midfield a little bit too easily at times. They can do that because they are a good team and then have a big threat up top with the front four and their movement to get in behind you.

"But overall, I felt we dealt with that pretty well. We make a few little tweaks at the break and then obviously come out and get the dream start. We then go on to finish the game off from there, which is really nice.

"I believed in what we were doing and thought we looked dangerous enough, with a couple of little tweaks.

"It's not easy, they were man to man so it was a couple of different principles for the lads to take advantage of, the way they were defending. The space wasn't always there like we've been used to because they blocked it off really well.

"They took the information on (at half-time) really well. We wanted to score more in the second half to make the game more comfortable. That was the only thing I was slightly frustrated about but I can't be too critical, the boys have done great."

Carrick was also delighted that the 4,895 away fans were able to celebrate a win.

He said: "When you see away ends like that you want to be in there yourself to enjoy it. We speak about it twice a week how important it is.

"For the boys to see and feel that, it's immense. That does drive you on attacking that end in the second half. The feeling of scoring and celebrating, it's what we're all here for."