Monday 17 April 2017 23:48, UK
Middlesbrough boss Steve Agnew says his players won't give up in their fight for Premier League survival despite losing to Arsenal.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil proved their importance to Arsenal as they grabbed a goal apiece in a crucial 2-1 victory over beleaguered Boro on Monday Night Football.
The defeat for Middlesbrough leaves them without a win in 2017 and six points from safety with six games to play.
Despite the defeat, Agnew couldn't fault his players application.
"I couldn't be more proud of the group of players, they gave every ounce of energy over 94 minutes," Agnew said.
"I told them at half-time we needed to play forward a little earlier, and when we scored the goal we put them under real pressure.
"Even when we conceded the second we still had chances when the ball went into the box.
"We tried everything we could from a tactical point of view."
Agnew thought a key point in the game came at 1-1 when Daniel Ayala's close range header was saved by Petr Cech.
Stewart Downing's set-piece from the right found George Friend at the back post and his header found Ayala, who was only four yards out. The crowd expected the net to bulge but Ayala's diving header was poorly directed. It was potentially a huge moment in Boro's season
"Dani's is a knock-down, he's got his head on it and unfortunately it goes straight at Petr Cech," he said.
"Either side and it's a goal - Dani did everything he could."
Agnew added that the focus now is entirely on their next fixture at Bournemouth.
"This group don't know how to give in and they will never, ever stop," he said.
"As I've just said to them, we'll start to prepare tomorrow and we go to Bournemouth ready."
