AITOR KARANKA hailed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Derby County as his “best afternoon” as Middlesbrough manager, with his side briefly taking over at the top of the Championship table for the first time in his tenure.

Goals from Patrick Bamford and Grant Leadbitter enabled Boro to replace Derby at the head of affairs, and while Bournemouth’s 5-3 win over Cardiff City saw them leapfrog the Teessiders later in the afternoon, Karanka remained delighted with his side’s response to a difficult week.

The Spanish head coach was banned from the dug out after admitting a charge of improper conduct in the wake of this month’s controversial 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers, with goalkeeping coach Leo Percovich taking over on the touchline.

The switch did nothing to derail Boro’s charge up the table though, with the hosts outclassing a Derby side who could not live with the pace and intensity of their play.

“This is my best afternoon at the club, for sure,” said Karanka. “Two weeks ago, the last minute was the worst moment in my career. But today is the best.

“The main thing again was the performance, but I was especially pleased for my staff. They have been working very hard this week, and were a little bit concerned because I wasn’t going to be on the bench.

“But they know me perfectly, and I know and trust them. I didn’t have any doubt that they were going to be excellent. This victory is for them.”

Karanka had a perfect view of his side’s performance from the front row of the directors’ box, but admits he does not want to have to repeat his absence from the technical area in the future.

“It was difficult,” he said. “Sometimes, when you are on the bench, you can shout and get things across, but when you are in the stands, all you can think about is putting the phone to your head.

“You can’t do anything. I have learned from my mistakes two weeks ago. This was my first experience away from the bench and I am not going to repeat it.”