Of the 11 men who started Saturday's game, five were aged 23 or under, while central defender Chris Riggott was the elder statesman at 28.

With skipper Emanuel Pogatetz, Robert Huth and Justin Hoyte all missing, that lack of experience proved particularly telling at the back as Chelsea ran riot despite the absence of some of their biggest names.

Southgate will return to the training ground this week knowing there are major issues to be addressed, but confident that his players can put a bad day behind them.

He said: "The one thing is with young players, they can bounce back quickly from things.

"I have told them they have to take on board the lessons, but the way we respond is to get out on to the training ground and work extremely hard to be prepared for Blackburn.

"We have to put things right in that match."

Boro will head for Ewood Park with Pogatetz back in the frame after completing his three-match ban, and his experience and organisational ability could prove invaluable.