What a Happy New Year from Boro!

What a fabulous way to kick start the New Year.

A table topping victory was played out in front of a full house that absolutely rocked the Riverside. Those two late goals from Adomah and Friend were the icing on the cake but also lit the blue touch paper to lift the roof as Boro stormed to a four point advantage at the top of the league.

There was a mixture of excitement and nerves as the crowds bustled their way to the Riverside on Saturday. Could Boro rise to the occasion or would the occasion get to the players?

A couple of weeks ago we blew Brighton off their park in a 1st versus 2nd challenge but could we do it all again at home and against the rising force in the Championship, Derby County.

Manager Aitor Karanka has stopped making any changes before these big games, retaining his best eleven and that meant David Nugent would have to wait on the bench before earning a recall after suspension. Nugent's replacement Kike was on the end of one of the best moves of the first half but his shot was easily saved by the Rams keeper, Grant.

Boro were well ahead on points for most of the half where we pressed and pressed the away team. But points don't make prizes, not without goals and though we went close when Stuani headed narrowly over Nsue should have buried a cross from Adomah at the back stick.

Derby hit back towards the end of the half and after a spell of pressure Dimi and his defence dithered from a corner and were lucky that Chris Martin and the Rams strike-force couldn't take advantage.

In the second half Boro would be kicking towards the South Stand a rare event in twenty years of the Riverside. But these days it is no real disadvantage as home fans make sit behind both goals to make it a real fortress by the Tees.

Boro continued to press but there was also always the threat from The Rams of a raid and a goal.

The home crowd roared on their encouragement as Clayton and Leadbitter pushed through the middle and Downing weaved the ball from wing to wing.

On came Nugent for the hard working Kike and Boro tried again to knock down the Derby defences. It looked as if it could end in stalemate because Derby were getting nowhere fast against the colosus Ayala and sensational Gibson.

The big Derby faction started singing, “you've only come to see Derby,” which was countered with, “top of the league.” The Derby words would all too soon stick in their throats as Boro went for the jugular. Captain Grant Leadbitter worked a one two on the edge of the box and found Adomah marking onside and unmarked, the Ghana World Cup player showed international class in his cool finish. 1-0. The Riverside was now anything but cool.

It absolutely erupted.

A minute later and Stuani broke away, the ball ricocheted to Nugent who centred for Boro's athlete of the year, George Friend to pass it into the net. 2-0. Game over. “You've only come to see The Boro, “ we now joyfully chanted.

There were then five minutes of play left to celebrate winning the biggest game of the season so far. Five minutes when the team made sure of another clean sheet and thus an all time club record. Former Sunderland player, Michael Bridges, would label us “unstoppable” on national tv that night. And while it is far too early to jump to any conclusions our form right now is frighteningly good.

We ended the old year at the top of the tree and we have started the New Year on fire.

We Are Top Of The League and that is where we intend to stay.

Up The Boro!