MICHAEL Carrick hailed what he described as a "proper performance" as Boro rounded off a superb week with an impressive win over West Brom.

Morgan Rogers scored the only goal as Boro built on last week's Swansea success and the midweek cup victory at Port Vale, with Carrick's side now just three points off the top six at Christmas.

West Brom remain fifth but they were second best throughout at the Riverside and the result flattered the visitors.

Boro were without a recognised striker with Emmanuel Latte Lath missing out due to a hamstring problem, but a new-look front four of Rogers, Isaiah Jones, Sam Greenwood and Sammy Silvera - playing as the makeshift striker - caused Albion no end of problems.

Carrick said: "I'm really, really pleased. In my opinion, in terms of individuals and as a squad, they (West Brom) are up there with one of the best in the league. It's a challenge to play against them and we've found that over the last couple of times  we've played them.

"We had to find a way to tweak it and do it a bit differently. Naturally after Tuesday and the highs and the draw and people talking about Chelsea, I thought the boys' mentality was top quality to reset and start again and put a top performance in.

"We had to tweak things again. I thought the front four were magnificent in their own way. We defended well as a team. There was so much to take from it. It was a proper performance and a proper win."

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To cap off an excellent day for Boro, Josh Coburn and Riley McGree both returned to action from the bench late on, though Carrick admitted it was a slight risk.

He said: "We stretched it with Riley and Josh, in all seriousness they probably weren't as ready as we'd have liked to be back involved. They could have done with an extra few days at least, but it shows their attitude, they were desperate to be back involved, back in the team and to be fit. So we stretched it a bit.

"They made an impact. It's nice to have them back and get the bodies back. We've spoken about the squad and the strength in depth and I thought the boys showed that today against a really good team. It's great to get the boys back over Christmas and now we reset and start all over again for Rotherham and see who is available again."

As well as Latte Lath, Seny Dieng was also missing after injuring his thigh in last week's win at Swansea.

Carrick said: “Manu’s hamstring was tight so we have to manage that one by seeing how it goes day by day. Whether that’s a little longer or not, we’re not quite sure yet. But we won’t take any risks.

"We’re trying to get him back for sure though. Seny’s isn’t serious though and won’t be too long."