Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick:
"It was a good performance I think against a good team who were on a really good run and have had some good results. The games they have lost have been tight.
"We knew had to be patient and it wasn't going to be straightforward. We could feel the frustration in the stadium in the first half but I thought the boys went past that and stuck to their guns, stuck to the way we want to play.
"We finished the first half very well and second half we came out and found another gear again.
"The boys are in good form. Confidence has been building and we have been playing some good football."
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut:
"First half both teams were not allowed many chances. Second half we showed a little bit of tiredness. We had only two days and travelled also - but this is not an excuse. We have also many injuries.
"If we score the chance in the first half with KG (Karlan Grant), maybe the game could change totally.
"At the end we didn't score so we lost, but this is not the end of the world. We will take a good rest and be prepared for the Watford game.
"About the referees I don't want to say anything. I will report to the EFL or wherever I have to report, so they will read it. For me [the first goal] was a clear offside. The referees see something different."