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Attendance: 21,562

Premier League

Dec 26, 2016 at 3pm UK

Burnley
1-0
Middlesbrough

Gray (80')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Build-up

Match Report

Football

Aitor Karanka: 'Results more important than performances'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 23 December 2016

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka insists that results are more important than good performances, having been critical of his side after they beat Swansea 3-0.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has insisted that results are more important than putting in a good performance.

Karanka was critical of his side's display against Swansea City last weekend despite running out 3-0 winners - their biggest Premier League victory since May 2008.

However, the Spaniard stressed that the main objective was to pick up three points heading into the Boxing Day meeting with fellow promoted side Burnley.

"It's true that the better you play, the more chance you have to win the game. I said after that game, that it had been our worst performance so far that day, but when I analysed it, it was the third game in a week and the first game at home after two defeats and the pressure of [playing against] direct opponents, so the players had a lot of pressure on their legs, on their heads," he told reporters.

"The main thing that day was the result, but we need to know that we have to play better if we want to win games. I have said always in the Premier League, especially when you don't have the experience, the main thing is to add that experience.

"For example against Swansea, we didn't play our best, but we won the game. That game, for sure, in September or October, we would have lost because at that time, we lost games against Crystal Palace and Watford when we played better than we played against Swansea."

Middlesbrough currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, four points clear of the relegation zone.