Southgate upbeat over Boro form

Southgate has seen his side go six games without a win

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is confident his side can arrest their slump in form over the festive period.

Boro fell to 14th in the Premier League - and remain just two points above the drop zone - after Saturday's defeat at Fulham, their sixth game without a win.

Southgate told BBC Tees: "We know this league is going to be very tight.

"We have got to be at our best to get results but we have got enough good players to finish higher up the table than we are."

While Boro's away form has seen two defeats in their last two games, at the Riverside their results have been much-improved, notably in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in their last home fixture.

And ahead of the visit of European hopefuls Everton ahead on Boxing Day, Southgate is determined that his players will turn in a performance that will restore supporters' confidence in his young team.

"The focus is to get a result against Everton and a performance to put a smile back on the faces of our fans," he added.

"Sunderland three weeks ago were right out with the washing, and a couple of good results has turned it round for them.

"We don't like defeat, it hurts enormously but we have to deal with it and make sure we answer on the field on Friday afternoon."