Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren hailed a "magnificent" performance in defeat against Chelsea at The Riverside. Chelsea grabbed a 2-1 win courtesy of Hernan Crespo's late header - but McClaren was convinced Middlesbrough deserved at least a point.
He said: "It's a cruel game this football. We didn't deserve to lose after the way we played.
"We were just saying, probably our best two performances of the season have been Leeds and against Chelsea here, and we've lost both games.
"But I thought the performance from the players was magnificent, especially in the second half and I can't fault the performance, I can't fault the attitude.
"We paid the price really for while being on top and having chances, not getting that second goal, and a lack of concentration in the last minute.
"But certainly, when you look at the last four performances that we've had, it's coming together. We look hard to play against, hard to beat and we've got great quality in the team.
"If we keep playing like that - and we've got good players too come back as well - it bodes well for the future."
MMIX
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It's a cruel game this football 
