Gareth Southgate is hoping that Boro can now build on their last two results after they earned a much-needed home win against Manchester City.

Goals from Afonso Alves (from the penalty spot) and Gary O'Neil in stoppage time secured a 2-0 win against Mark Hughes' side at the Riverside on Wednesday night, a result which lifted Boro into ninth in the Premier League table.

"I told them more than anything else tonight I wanted them to play without fear," the Boro boss said after the match.

"They're more than capable of bringing the ball forward and they've got to believe in themselves.

"It's great that we've gone into the top half of the table but we've got to build on it now.

"The players needed to give themselves a performance that gave them belief that they can play well at home, they can score late goals and they can keep clean sheets.

"There are a lot of positives to take into the weekend."