Aitor Karanka: 'Today was an unbelievable performance after a difficult week for everybody'

Aitor Karanka believes Boro's stunning 5-1 victory at Millwall was the perfect ending to a difficult week.

The Spaniard was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Tuesday, just hours after it was confirmed that assistant head coach Craig Hignett had left the club.

Karanka, who was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg after reacting angrily to Blackburn's stoppage time equaliser last weekend, was hoping for a positive reaction from his players at the New Den.

What he got was beyond his wildest dreams.

"I am very pleased," he said, "but more about the reaction of my players, rather than the score.

"It's been a difficult week for everybody, especially for me, and the players have been brilliant.

"I can't say in English how good the performance has been.

"We are a team that always has a very good reaction when something happens.

"I remember when we lost against Wolves, we played very, very well in the next game.

"So we always have a very good reaction and that shows the spirit we have in the team."

Millwall found Boro too hot to handle in a one-sided first half.

Karanka's decision to keep faith with Jelle Vossen in attack paid dividends with the Belgian scoring three goals in 23 incredible minutes.

© CameraSport

Middlesbrough's Jelle Vossen celebrates scoring his side's first goal

The opener came in the 21st minute when the transfer deadline day loan signing from Genk executed a superb half-volley, lashing the ball across keeper David Forde and into the net.

Patrick Bamford scored Boro's second, showing good skill to create space for himself before drilling a low shot home.

The visitors' third stemmed from Adam Reach's low cross into the box from the right which Vossen steered coolly out of reach of the keeper.

He then completed his hat-trick by sweeping home a loose ball after Bamford was denied on the edge of the Millwall box just before the half-time break.

The hosts manfully tried to find a way back into the game and eventually pulled a goal back in the 78th minute when Boro failed to clear a ball into box from sub Matthew Gueye and Scott McDonald belted a powerful shot into the net on the turn to score against his former club.

But normal service was resumed when Emilio Nsue raced down the right before pulling a cross back into the path of sub Kike, whose deadly first time shot hit the post before crossing the line.

Karanka rated his side's performance as one of the best he's seen since taking charge in November 2013.

"Today was an unbelievable performance in a very difficult stadium because it is very difficult to win here," he said.

The Boro boss's decision to keep faith with Vossen, who had failed to score in open play in any of appearances, was vindicated.

Karanka says he was convinced the 25-year-old would come good.

"I knew how good he is and when you are a very good player, a very good striker, the goals are going to arrive."