Burnley's Josh Cullen brings down Ben Doak as he drives forward into the opposition half and goes into the referee's notebook.

Burnley with more patient build-up and they work it from side to side. Josh Cullen eventually floats one into the box but Delano Burgzorg gets back well to flick the ball off Jaidon Anthony and out for a goal kick.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

It's been pretty flat from a Boro point of view. We've not had much of the ball at all.

Burnley are happy to play out from the back and work it forward excellently.

Zian Flemming almost gets in behind but opts to try and nod back to Josh Brownhill and the move breaks down.

Neat play by the Clarets, though.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough winger Delano Burgzorg comes forward for the first moment of threat in this second half.

He cuts inside into a dangerous area but his shot is well blocked.

A total of 12 goals in Boro's last two games. Zero so far tonight... surely we can expect at least one?

Middlesbrough get the second half going.

Will either side find a winner in the race for promotion? It might be a fine way to round off 2024 if they can...

Image source, PA Media

Derby County boss Paul Warne said "it took something magical" for Championship leaders Leeds United to beat his side.

The Rams held Leeds at bay for 79 minutes before Brenden Aaronson slid home the game's only goal after a slick passing move.

"In the first 10 minutes we showed them too much respect, really - even with throw-ins we weren’t getting tight enough," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"But after that I thought we were really good – as good as we can be in the nicest possible sense.

"The lads gave everything they could. We made changes second half because you could see some fatigue because that is two massive efforts, with two big home games [against West Brom and Leeds] and I can’t criticise the lads’ efforts.

"I thought second half we were quite good, it felt like we were the team that might get a goal on a breakaway or a set-piece.

"They then obviously made changes and I hate to admit it, their goal was a very well-worked goal. It probably took something magical to win this game, and unfortunately it wasn’t out players that did that."

We've also got some reaction from Derby boss Paul Warne after their narrow defeat at home to Leeds...

Here's how things look at half-time in Middlesbrough's clash with Burnley.

The Clarets will remain third if this game stays as it is, while Boro will climb to sixth and into the play-off spots.

A winner for Burnley would mean they end the year in the automatic promotion spots. Victory for Michael Carrick's side would send them up to fifth.

All to play for in this second half, then.

Image source, PA Media

Earlier this evening, Leeds guaranteed they would start 2025 top of the Championship with a 1-0 win at Derby courtesy of Brenden Aaronson finishing off a stunning team move 11 minutes from time.

Whites boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds that the win was "fully deserved".

"We were in total control because we expected them to be on it and to try press us. But we didn't allow them to press us because we had good solutions today," said Farke.

"Perhaps in the first half we didn't have enough clear-cut chances to score, but we didn't allow them anything.

"In the second half my feeling was that at some point we missed too many clear-cut chances to win such a difficult away game.

"Normally you can't miss so many chances to win points in such a difficult place but then obviously we scored, for me, the goal of the season. It was an unbelievable team goal.

"I'll put it straight away into my poetry album, I loved this goal I have to say. It was a perfect team move and Brenden also came up with a perfect calm finish."

While we're enjoying a half-time cuppa, we've got some reaction to bring you from Leeds United's 1-0 victory at Derby in the 17:45 GMT fixture.

Daniel Farke was a big fan of the Leeds winning goal that ensures they will be top of the Championship come the end of the year...

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

Image source, PA Media

I think what that half tells you is that both sides understand what they're up against.

Both keepers haven't really been tested. I wouldn't say it's been a classic.

A tightly contested encounter at the Riverside is all square at the break.

Chances have been at a premium with only three shots for each side and just the one on target for Middlesbrough.

It was Boro who had the most presentable opportunity shortly before half-time when Delano Burgzorg stole the ball off Burnley keeper James Trafford after he'd raced out of his box, but he was unable to divert his effort on target.

The Clarets are on course for yet another clean sheet as things stand but won't climb above Sheffield United into the automatic promotion places unless they can find a winner.

Burnley skipper Josh Brownhill gives the ball away to Delano Burgzorg inside his own half but the visitors do well to quickly get back into shape and snuff out the Boro move.

So far, this game is another example of Burnley's astonishing defensive record.

They've conceded just nine times in 23 games before tonight, keeping 14 clean sheets and not letting in more than a single goal in any game.

The Championship's second top scorers in Middlesbrough are yet to breach that formidable backline.

Image source, Rex Features

Emmanuel Latte Lath’s header to get on the end of that ball over the top a few minutes ago was just his fifth touch of the game. He's Boro's top scorer with nine goals this season.

Perhaps food for thought for Michael Carrick to try and get him more involved if he can?

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

I think it's a challenge from the keeper but they both go for the ball. I don't think there's anything in that to be given as a foul.

Emmanuel Latte Lath chases down a long ball for Boro as James Trafford comes racing out of his goal and all the way outside the box.

Delano Burgzorg robs Trafford about 30 yards out, turns and tries his luck with the keeper not at home but he can't hit the target.

Image source, PA Media

Not a huge amount to separate the two sides in the opening half-an-hour.

Burnley have just edged possession and had 14 touches inside the opposition box to Middlesbrough's four.

Slightly cagey affair.