Boro notched their fifth consecutive win in the league with a 3-1 victory over struggling Charlton at the Riverside.
Patrick Bamford, Jelle Vossen and Lee Tomlin got the goals as Aitor Karanka's men extended their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions.
Gazette writer Jonathan Taylor offers five observations from the game:
1) Aitor Karanka named an unchanged XI for the first time since March 2014 - a run of 44 matches. That sends out a great message to those who started and battled bravely against Brentford.
The win at Griffin Park may not have been the most pretty, but it was a dogged display and one that Karanka clearly was delighted with. Tinker man? Only when he needs to be.
2) Patrick Bamford was once again asked to start on the right flank, but the Chelsea loanee's movement means he is anything but.
He is a constant menace around the box and opened the scoring with a terrific header.
The 21-year-old can do everything - head, shoot, tackle, put a shift in for the team. It's no surprise that he has been Karanka's first name on the teamsheet in recent weeks.
3) Boro have been warned - even the teams at the bottom of the table are dangerous on their day.
Karanka's men took their foot off the gas at 1-0 and paid the price for it.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson's equaliser was excellently taken, but should have been prevented. Karanka wouldn't have been happy at half-time, and ahead of Tuesday's trip to Blackpool, Boro know they will be punished if they take their eyes off the prize.
4) I don't think I've ever seen Boro have a bench possessing such talent.
Leading 2-1 with 20 minutes to go, Karanka decided to take off Patrick Bamford and Albert Adomah and replaced them with Adam Forshaw and Adam Reach.
Gone are the days where Boro throw on a young lad to run around for 10 minutes, Karanka's substitutes all can be game-changers on their day. Dean Whitehead, Jonathan Woodgate, Tomas Kalas, Kike...incredible options. That's not even mentioning the likes of Daniel Ayala and Muzzy Carayol still to return.
5) Lee Tomlin may have bagged the Player of the Month for January, but he showed no signs of letting that go to his head.
Tomlin was at the heart of Boro's second half attacking play, creating Vossen's goal out of absolutely nothing and then leaving the best until last.
His majestic volley secured the points for Karanka's side and you may struggle to see a better goal at the Riverside this season. Player of the Month for February? Watch this space.
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