Here's how Middlesbrough players rated at Cardiff:

8 Dieng: Two brilliant saves at crucial times. The first when he tipped over audacious Turnbull chip early on and the second when he brilliantly kept out Goutas header and pushed it onto the post immediately after the restart at 1-0.

8 Ayling: Back in the team after missing Leeds game and again outlined his importance. Assured and comfortable defensively, set up Gilbert goal.

8 Van den Berg: Didn’t give Diedhiou a sniff. Composed throughout.

8 Clarke: Solid again defensively and deserved a clean sheet – and set Boro on their way late in the first half with his first goal for the club.

7 Thomas: One of his best Boro displays. Saw quite a lot of the ball in the first half especially and was positive in possession.

6 Howson: Early slip almost costly but soon settled. Helped Boro win midfield battle before replaced on the hour mark after the fourth.

8 Barlaser: Slight surprise to see him in the team ahead of O’Brien but took his chance. Always looked forward, clever in possession, had hand in second goal.

6 Jones: Curled over from the edge of the area at 0-0. Didn’t see as much of the ball as he’d have liked.

8 Azaz: Set up the first and third and scored the second. Matchwinning moments from a player who, as Carrick said afterwards, is “growing” all the time.

8 Gilbert: Took his chance after long wait for first Championship start. Positive and bright throughout. Deserved his goal.

8 Latte Lath: Missed first half opportunity but never looked like missing when played in by Azaz, even though there was a lot to do. Clinical finish of a striker full of confidence. 10 in 11.

Substitutes:

6 McCabe (for Howson, 61): Game fizzled out but youngster was neat and positive.

6 Silvera (for Jones, 61): Tough to make an impact with game wrapped up.

Dijksteel (for van den Berg, 74): N/A

Lennon (for Gilbert, 74) N/A

Matthews (for Latte Lath, 82) N/A

Subs not used: Connor, Bangura, O’Brien, Greenwood

Cardiff City: Horvath 5, Romeo 6 (Conte, 57), Goutas 5, Phillips 5, Tanner 6 (Giles, 77); Siopis 6 (Colwill, 57), Ralls 6 (Wintle, 68); Ashford 5, Turnbull 7, Bowler 6; Diedhiou 5 (Robinson, 68)

Subs not used: Turner, Lawlor, Antwi, Sawyers

Man of the Match: Finn Azaz. Plenty of competition, with several good performers for Boro, but Azaz had decisive impact with a goal and two assists.