Here's how Middlesbrough players rated against Stoke City:

6 DIENG: Quiet but saved well to deny Bae in what proved to be Stoke's only shot on target.

7 DIJKSTEEL: Solid defensively and provided the shield for Doak to cause damage in front.

7 AYLING: Seamlessly slotted in at centre-half. Comfortable.

7 EDMUNDSON: Deserved first clean sheet for the Ipswich loanee.

6 BORGES: Caught out a couple of times defensively but more effective going forward.

7 MORRIS: Another fine display from the midfielder, who has quickly made himself pivotal for Boro. Dominated the midfield alongside Hackney.

8 HACKNEY: Best display of the season. Positive in possession, made Boro tick, brilliant goal.

8 DOAK: Direct, dangerous and deserved his goal. Made such a difference. Man of the Match.

7 AZAZ: Looks much more comfortable as a No.10 than he does on the left. Helped to link play.

8 MCGREE: Brilliant return to the side. Showed what Boro have been missing and added much-needed balance.

7 LATTE LATH: Much more like it after frustrating afternoon at Sunderland. Came so close to a goal when Johansson tipped his shot around the post.

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Substitutes:

7 Van den Berg (for Dijksteel, 70): Huge boost to have the defender back.

6 Jones (for Doak, 70): Fresh legs to help see the game out.

Burgzorg (for Latte Lath, 75): N/A

Hamilton (for McGree, 76): N/A

Barlaser (for Hackney, 84): N/A

Subs not used: Brynn,McCormick, Hunt, McCabe

STOKE: Johansson 6, Tchamadeu 5 (Sidibe, 63), Bocat 5, Gibson 6, Wilmot 6, Thompson 6, Burger 5 (Rose, 63), Koumas 6, Junho 6, Manhoef 5 (Gallagher, 55), Cannon 5 (Moran, 46)

SUBS NOT USED: Bonham, Stevens, Seko, Vidigal, Tezgel

Man of the Match: Doak. Is going to be extremely difficult to leave out, as is Riley McGree. Both players surely belong in Carrick's full strength XI.