The Teessiders suffered a 1-0 defeat at Watford on Friday night, yet manager Neil Warnock was pleased with his side’s performance at Vicarage Road.
Our Boro writer Joe Nicholson has picked out some of the division’s winners and losers from the weekend – scroll down and flick through our picture gallery to see them:
5. W: Jason Tindall
In the game of the weekend, Bournemouth made a winning return to the Championship by beating Blackburn 3-2. After being pegged back twice, the Cherries scored a brilliant late winner through Arnaut Danjuma. The goal scorer praised new boss Tindall after the match: "The spirit is good. I think the mentality of the team is good," said Danjuma. Photo: Getty Images
6. L: Richard Stearman
Norwich were also relegated from the Premier League last season and, like Bournemouth, made a winning start to the new campaign.The Canaries had to wait until the 80th minute for a breakthrough, though, when Huddersfield's Richard Stearman made a costly backpass which allowed Adam Idah to score. Photo: Michael Regan
7. W: Aitor Karanka
The former Boro boss led new club Birmingham to a surprising 1-0 win over Brentford, despite registering just 37 per cent possession. George Friend and Adam Clayton both played the full 90 minutes as Jeremie Bela scored the only goal of the game from a corner. Photo: Alex Burstow
8. L: Cardiff City
The Bluebirds also made a strong finish to last season but were beaten in the play-offs by Fulham. After a 2-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday, there were suggestions, Neil Harris' side are suffering from a hangover. "Are we suffering a hangover from how last season ended? I understand the relevance of the question, but I hope not and I don't sense that we are," said the Cardiff boss. Photo: Naomi Baker