Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca is urging his team-mates to reproduce their form against the big guns to make a solid finish to the season.Gareth Southgate's men have encountered an intensely difficult run of fixtures as the race for Premier League survival hots up.

However, their response has been excellent, particularly on the back of a heartbreaking FA Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Cardiff, who secured another big day out at Wembley at the weekend.

In the wake of that disappointment, Boro have travelled to Aston Villa, Arsenal and Chelsea either side of a narrow 1-0 home win over since relegated Derby and lost only at Stamford Bridge.

But perhaps even more impressively, they followed up draws at the Villa Park and the Emirates Stadium by holding title favourites Manchester United in a four-goal thriller at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.

The Teessiders have repeatedly performed well against the Premier League's usual suspects in recent seasons while perhaps under-achieving when faced with some of the lesser lights.

However, Arca is confident a continuation of their recent consistency can pay dividends over the final five games of the season.

He said: "In the last few weeks, we have played against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United and we have had some good results.

"That shows how good the confidence in the team has been over the last five or six weeks.

"It's important because the lads have been working hard and at this stage of the season, we need to get points and try to finish the season with as many points as we can."

Boro head for Tottenham on Saturday before home clashes with Bolton, Portsmouth and Manchester City either side of the derby trip to Sunderland on April 26.

Saturday's 2-2 draw with United - Afonso Alves' double had given Southgate's side a 2-1 lead before Wayne Rooney levelled - left Boro nine points clear of the drop zone.

Victory would have all but ended their relegation fears, but Arca insists a point was a more than creditable return.

He said: "We created enough chances to win the game. We knew how hard it was going to be - you know how difficult is it going to be to play Manchester United, and that's why we were so proud to get a point.

"We were a bit disappointed that we didn't get three, but it is still a good point. We don't have to be upset because we didn't win, it is still a good point.

"It is important for us at this point of the season. Now the difference between us and relegation is nine points, so it is more comfortable."

Arca, 27, who returned to the starting line-up at the weekend after a four-game absence, will hope to retain his place at White Hart Lane, and for a run-in he hopes will be largely free of pressure.

He told the club's official website: "Hopefully, we will get something against Tottenham on Saturday and then we have Bolton at home.

"If we have good performances in those two games, we can play the last three games comfortably without any pressure, and that's what we want."

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