Middlesbrough 1 Blackburn 2

"There's a long hard season ahead for Middlesbrough," Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen both agreed after witnessing highlights of Boro's opening day defeat to Blackburn.

This isn't just the opinion of two Match of the Day pundits, it seems to be the general consensus held by many in Premier League circles - a little premature you would think considering only one fixture has been fulfilled in the new campaign.

The foundations of these predictions seem to lie with the fact that Boro were unable to hold on to the services of striker Mark Viduka.

The Australian international had a fine season last time out and scored several important goals for his side, but to say he was the sole reason for Middlesbrough attaining mid-table respectability last term would be disrespectful to the pooled resources of Gareth Southgate's squad and his backroom staff.

The Boro boss acknowledged in his programme notes he was aware his side was being written off, and made known his team: "Will take great delight in proving the critics wrong."

Yet, had these harbingers of doom witnessed events at the Riverside at the weekend they may have retracted their predictions. Yes, Boro ended up being the losing team but, for the first hour of their contest with Rovers, they dominated their counterparts to such an extent that the visitors did not have a shot on target until sub Roque Santa Cruz levelled in the 63rd minute. Middlesbrough's back four may have defended the goal a bit better but then that would be taking away from what was a fine goal.

The clouds enveloping the Riverside prior to Middlesbrough's curtain raiser with Blackburn Rovers should have provided an ominous warning to supporters attending the match this afternoon.

But although Boro stretched their miserable run of opening day fixtures without a win to seven years - and one in 12 years - they did not deserve to lose this highly entertaining clash against Mark Hughes' team.

The sunshine managed to breakthrough the clouds soon after the kick-off and with it Gareth Southgate's side provided the rays of delight. The only surprise was that it took his team more that 32 minutes before they opened the score - through a delightful curling Stewart Downing free-kick from 22 yards.

New signings Jerenie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli both looked lively when linking up with Ayegbeni Yakubu and Middlesbrough should have been more than one goal up at the break.

Yet despite dominating the opening 15 minutes of the second half the home side could not find a killer second goal and the cloud once again enveloped the Riverside Stadium thanks to two inspired substitutions from the visitors.

Roque Santa Cruz headed Rovers level in the 63rd minute from David Bentley's delicious deep cross from the left. The former Bayern Munich striker, who had only been on the pitch a little more than a minute after replacing the injured Benni McCarthy - carried off on a stretcher - climbed above Chris Riggott to nod past Mark Schwarzer from five yards. It was the visitor's first effort on target.

It was hardly what the visitor's deserved after spending the first hour of the contest on the back foot.

Middlesbrough were then hit by a double whammy miniutes later when Rovers' second substitute of the afternoon, Matt Derbyshire, fired Hughes' side ahead less than 60 seconds of him joining the play.

The 22-year-old frontman received the ball just outside the 18 yard area on the left hand side before stepping inside and curling a beauty past the despairing hand of Schwarzer.

The same could be said of Rovers' second strike, but again, Matt Derbyshire curled a beauty past Mark Schwarzer. Before then the home side had dominated proceedings.

The Middlesbrough manager expressed his disappointment after the defeat but admitted he was still encouraged by what he saw from his side.

He said: "It's a game we should really have got at least a point from. Blackburn probably feel it was a bit of a smash and grab.

"There were a lot of things today that gave me a lot of encouragement."

With Jonathan Woodgate, Emanuel Pogatetz, Robert Huth and Luke Young all missing Boro approached the fixture without arguably their first choice back four. In their place a young and largely inexperienced defence faced Mark Hughes' seasoned campaigners but Southgate absolved his young charges from any blame in costing Boro a first opening day win since 2000.

Southgate said: "I don't know if their goals were down to our inexperience but it was an international striker (Santa Cruz) who is experienced, who replaced Benni McCarthy.

"For the majority of the game we defended very well. We just backed away a little for the two goals.

"The young lads we've got gave absolutely everything. I can only criticise players when they don't give enough effort.

"I feel for them because they've given a tremendous amount over six weeks of pre-season and everyone put a hell of a lot into this game.

"Blackburn are a side well established in the top half and they're very strong. They're an experienced well organised team.

"We knew it would be a good test and didn't think there'd be a lot between the teams and that's how it proved.

"Are Blackburn a model for teams like us? They're a side that don't get huge crowds with a style of play that's full of energy and play good football.

"They've build something with firm foundations and that's what we're trying to do here.

"I wasn't dissatisfied just disappointed because you don't like losing matches and sending the fans away having lost but hopefully they can see what we're trying to do."

Middlesbrough may not have got off to the start they wished for but there is plenty for supporters to be optimistic about from the forthcoming new season, despite losing the goalscoring services of Viduka.

His replacements Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere have already showed glimpses of promise in pre-season, and on Saturday they once again linked up well with Ayegbeni Yakubu.

Stewart Downing revealed why he is a regular in the England side and David Wheater, denied a brace by Brad Friedal's brillance, showed he is a capable deputy for Boro's missing defensive stars.

When Woodgate, Huth, Young and Pogatetz all recover from injury, and when the summer transfer window eventually closes, then the time will come to predict the Teessiders' fortunes this term.

One swallow does not make a summer and one defeat does not confine a team to a season of woe.

* Is it going to be a long hard season if you are a Boro fan? Or was the team unlucky to lose? Have your say on the match below: