Tony Mowbray insisted his struggling Middlesbrough side were disappointed to come away with a point in a 1-1 draw with promotion hopefuls Norwich and hinted at better times to come.

NEWCASTLE celebrated their promotion back to the Barclays Premier League with a 2-1 win at home to Sheffield United last night.

Barnsley 2 Middlesbrough 1

West Ham 2 Middlesbrough 1

Middlesbrough 1 Aston Villa 1

THE platitudes from Ryan Giggs must have been somewhat embarrassing for Middlesbrough, who after succumbing meekly to Arsenal and Manchester United in the space of six days can safely consign their reputation as top four assassins to the past.

Middlesbrough 0 Manchester United 2

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson rang the changes as he attempted to move a step closer to the Premier League title.

Middlesbrough will be without suspended midfielder Matthew Bates for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke.

Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte is doubtful for tomorrow’s crucial Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth at the Riverside Stadium.

Middlesbrough are without striker Marlon King and defender Chris Riggott for tomorrow’s trip to West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Wolves 1 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hoping for better news on the fitness front as he prepares to put a patched-up side together for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round trip to Wolves.

Stewart Downing is expected to be included in the Middlesbrough squad to face derby rivals Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League after having his transfer request refused.

Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte will be out of action for four weeks after undergoing an operation on knee cartilage, it has been announced.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is facing up to a defensive crisis as he prepares for Arsenal’s visit to the Riverside Stadium tomorrow.

Hull 2 Middlesbrough 1

IT is always best to expect the unexpected at Newcastle United, so perhaps the notion of the club being hauled onto an even keel by Joe Kinnear — frozen out of football for four years, with question marks over his health and whose methods appeared to belong in football’s stone age — is not so surprising.

Middlesbrough 0 Newcastle 0

Middlesbrough 1 Bolton 3

Everton 1 Middlesbrough 1

Manager Gareth Southgate is ready to name an unchanged Middlesbrough side for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Everton.

Aston Villa missed out on the chance to climb into a Champions League spot as two-goal Tuncay earned Middlesbrough victory at Villa Park.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will choose between record signing Afonso Alves and top scorer Mido for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League match at Aston Villa.

GARETH SOUTHGATE might dream of turning Middlesbrough into the Arsenal of the north — all flowing football played by bright-eyed tyros — but not every game lends itself to such fantasy football.

Gareth Southgate is expected to stick with an unchanged starting XI for the third successive match as his Middlesbrough side prepare to host West Ham at the Riverside tomorrow.

Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca will return to the squad for tomorrow night’s Premier League clash with Manchester City after finally shaking off an ankle injury.

Luiz Felipe Scolari brushed aside Chelsea’s injury problems after seeing his side do just that to Middlesbrough.

England skipper John Terry handed Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari a boost when he returned to action for this afternoon’s trip to Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough’s record signing Afonso Alves was left sitting on the bench as Gareth Southgate went in search of a derby victory at Sunderland.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate watched his side fight back for a home win over Stoke which means they have achieved their best start in nine seasons.

Middlesbrough 2 Stoke 1

Middlesbrough 5 Yeovil 1

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will be without first-choice goalkeeper Brad Jones for the home Carling Cup clash with Yeovil tomorrow night.

Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 1

Justin Hoyte could make his debut for Middlesbrough in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield

Arsenal 1 West Brom 0

Midfielder Gary O’Neil has recovered from a calf strain and is expected to start for Middlesbrough in their Premier League opener against Tottenham at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow.

Samri Nasri could make his full Arsenal debut when the Barclays Premier League season kicks off against new boys West Bromwich Albion at Emirates Stadium tomorrow lunchtime.

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan admitted his side’s Barclays Premier League against Manchester United is likely to come soon for striker Michael Owen.

Arsene Wenger is “certain” he will be able to add another body to his Arsenal squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Middlesbrough have confirmed their offer for defender Justin Hoyte has been accepted by Arsenal.

Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson has confirmed the club are awaiting a response from Arsenal after submitting an offer for defender Justin Hoyte.