Middlesbrough 1 Crystal Palace 2
Ayala 38 Benteke 15 Zaha 47
Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough were given a wakeup call as
they suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Crystal Palace.
Boro had made an admirable start to the season following
their promotion back to the Premier League, taking five points from their first
three games, however they were unable to extend that run as they stuttered to a
2-1 defeat at the Riverside.
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Wilfred Zaha celebrates Palace's second goal
(Picture from Sky Sports)
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Palace were a side who were lacking in confidence, after
recording just two league wins in the whole of 2016. Yet they were buoyed by
their new £32 million striker Christian Benteke – who opened the scoring with a
header after just 15 minutes.
From that standpoint it was an opportunity missed for the
hosts, who allowed their opponents to settle early on, while also lacking cohesion
and creativity in the opening 45 minutes.
Daniel Ayala’s powerful header before half time gave Karanka’s
side a chance to recover. However, a rare error from captain George Friend
allowed Wilfred Zaha to restore the visitor’s lead just minutes after the
interval.
That proved to be a decisive moment as Palace held on to
claim their first victory of the season.
Boro had a couple of late shouts for a penalty, two of which
for handball, though referee Neil Swarbrick waved them all away.
Karanka made three changes from the goalless stalemate away
at West Brom a fortnight ago, the first of which came in goal where Victor
Valdes returned.
George Friend also came back into the side and retook the
captain’s armband after he missed the trip to the Hawthorns through injury.
The final change came in the number 10 position where Viktor Fischer made his first start in
place of Gaston Ramirez, who played 87 minutes for Uruguay in mid-week.
Palace manager Alan Pardew also made three alterations after
their 1-1 with Bournemouth last time out. Pape Souare, Yohan Cabaye and Connor
Wickham all dropped out while Martin Kelly, Joe Ledley and Wilfried Zaha took
their places.
It was Zaha, a lively figure throughout, who created the
opening goal after 15 minutes, when his in-swinging cross picked out Benteke at
the far post.
The Belgian international met the delivery with a powerful
header across goal, outjumping Ayala in the process.
Andros Townsend also looked a threat down Palace’s left, and
he almost doubled the visitors lead after forcing Valdes into a full stretch
save on 23 minutes.
That followed an earlier effort when the England
international cut inside on to his right foot, only to see his effort blocked
by Ben Gibson.
In comparison Boro’s passing was often lethargic and at
times wasteful, as they rarely looked like creating anything from open play.
Stewart Downing, who started on the left but gradually
drifted infield, appeared the most likely to create an equaliser and on 37
minutes he forced a corner which Boro used to good effect.
Downing took it, and his out-swinging delivery from the left
was met by a strong leap from Ayala. Palace keeper Steve Mandanda manged to get
a hand on the defender’s header but he couldn’t keep it out.
The tables almost turned completely on the stroke of half
time. Fischer, who had been quiet in the first half, set up Alvaro Negredo with a
cutting pass but Mandanda saved the striker’s effort at his near post.
The visitors retook the lead two minutes after the restart. Friend
appeared to have negated a Palace attack but then took a heavy touch which
allowed Zaha to pounce. The pacey winger took full advantage, side footing the
ball beyond Valdes with a neat finish.
Boro responded, and almost drew level when Downing rifled an
effort inches wide from the edge of the area. Moments later Gibson tried his
luck from range, forcing Mandanda to make a flying save.
De Roon and Ramirez were introduced on the hour mark and the
latter immediately livened up proceedings- although his cross from the left was
overhit when Negredo was waiting in the middle.
Ayala then came close to adding a second goal to his name but
headed another Downing corner just over the bar.
New signing Adama Traore made his debut with a nine-minute
cameo, as the hosts searched for an equaliser.
There were a couple of late penalty appeals, the first of
which came when Scot Dann appeared to handle Downing’s cross inside the area.
Then, in the dying moments, Ramirez was fouled on the edge
of the area but Swarbrick awarded a free kick rather than a spot kick.
Eventually the time ran out and Boro’s unbeaten start went
with it.
Player Ratings
Victor Valdes 5.5-
Allowed Benteke’s header to go in across his goal, made a decent save from
Townsend in the first half.
Antonio Barragan 6- Got
forward in the first half but his crosses were often inaccurate.
Daniel Ayala 6.5 - Outjumped
for the goal but had a solid game after that, strong in the air and scored the
equaliser.
Ben Gibson 6.5- Stuck
to his task at the back, almost scored a stunning equaliser but Mandanda saved.
George Friend 5- Made
a rare mistake to gift Palace a goal, struggled to cope with Zaha for most of
the afternoon.
Adam Clayton 5-
Subbed after an hour as Boro pushed for an equaliser.
Adam Forshaw 6- Kept
the ball moving but struggled to create much from midfield.
Stewart Downing 7- Boro’s
brightest spark, looked like he could make something happen when he received the
ball.
Cristhian Stuani 5-
Failed to have an impact on the right, subbed on 81 minutes.
Viktor Fischer 5.5-
Struggled to get on the ball in the number 10 position, produced a probing pass
to Negredo late in the first half.
Alvaro Negredo 5.5 -
Received little service, best chance came before half time but Mandanda saved
his effort.
Subs
Marten De Roon 6-
Moved Boro up the pitch when he came on with half an hour to go.
Gaston Ramirez 6.5-
Livened up Boro’s attack in the final half an hour.
Adama Traore – Came on for the last nine minutes, not enough
time to give a fair rating.
My Boro Man Of The Match: Stewart Downing
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