CELEBRATIONS for Eddie Howe's first year in charge started early as Burnley recorded their seventh away win of the season against high-flying Middlesbrough.

The manager of the month curse struck Tony Mowbray, who pipped Clarets boss Howe to the award.

The 34-year-old marks 12 months at the Turf Moor helm on Monday, and Jay Rodriguez and Kieran Trippier got the party started with two first-half goals.

Rodriguez broke the deadlock in the sixth minute with a well-worked training ground routine.

Ross Wallace's corner was dummied by David Edgar, and Rodriguez drilled in his 14th goal of the season.

Trippier launched in the second from 35 yards just before the half-hour, after a headed clearance out from the back sat up nicely for him to stun out-of-position goalkeeper Connor Ripley in his first Championship start.

Burnley defended their lead well and were unlucky not to add more goals before the break.

Boro rarely threatened a comeback in the second half, even when new signing Lukas Jutkiewicz made his debut from the bench.

The Clarets now have four clean sheets in their last five league games.