Middlesbrough 1-0 Hull City: Ramirez heads winner against former club - 5 things we learned

The Uruguayan rose to head home at the far post as Boro climbed away from the relegation zone and added to Hull's woes at the bottom

Middlesbrough boosted their survival chances with a priceless victory over Hull.

The hosts were in control throughout and thought they had the lead late in the first-half only for Viktor Fischer to be denied by the linesman's flag.

Boro continued on the front foot and finally made their pressure count on the hour mark when Gaston Ramirez headed past David Marshall.

The visitors offered little in terms of attacking threat and on this evidence, face a real struggle for the remainder of the season.

Here are five things we learned.

1. Ramirez the star of the show

If Boro are to stay up then Gaston Ramirez will play an integral role.

The Uruguayan was a class above at the Riverside and it was no surprise to see him have the decisive moment.

Ramirez was left completely unmarked at the back post by his former club to head past David Marshall.

It didn't really happen for him at Hull but he is a key man under Karanka.

2. Toothless Tigers fail to create

Hull have a number of injury problems up top - and it told here.

Adama Diomande was tasked with leading the line for the Tigers but he barely had a sniff.

Mike Phelan threw on youngster Jarrod Bowen late on but it didn't have the desired effect.

Hull need to sign a goalscorer in January to have any chance of survival.

3. Festive period key for Karanka

The victory saw Middlesbrough rise to 13th in the table, above the likes of Palace and Leicester.

Next up is a trip to Southampton before Liverpool are in town on December 14.

From then on, they face fixtures that will determine where they will end up.

Boro face Swansea and Burnley before Christmas and Leicester on January 2.

Win those and they're on their way to survival.

4. Gibson leads from the front

With George Friend out, Ben Gibson has inherited the armband for Boro and continues to impress.

The England Under-21 defender has been linked with Chelsea in the past, while Everton are also thought to be keen.

He denied Diomande with a fine sliding tackle and led by example throughout.

Sorry Boro fans, but you face a battle to keep hold of him.

5. Tigers in big trouble

Hull had picked up some improved results in November but on the road, they're really struggling.

Since beating Swansea, they have lost five out of six on the road.

Make no mistake, that is relegation form.

They have plenty to do to avoid going straight back down.

Simon Bird's player ratings

Middlesbrough: Valdes 6, Barragan 7, Chambers 7, Gibson 8, Fabio 7, Clayton 7, De Roon 7, Fischer 6 (Stuani 81), Ramirez 7 (Downing 87), Negredo 7

Subs not used: Guzan, Nsue, Bernardo, Leadbitter, Traore

Hull: Marshall 6, Elmohamady 5, Dawson 6, Davies 6, Robertson 5, Livermore 5 (Huddlestone 62, 5), Mason 5 (Bowen 62, 5) Henriksen 5 (Meyler 81), Clucas 5, Snodgrass 5, Diomande 5

Subs not used : Jakupovic, Maguire, Weir, Tymon.