Middlesbrough slid further towards the Premier League trap door after surrendering to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace 1-0 in a dire performance. Aitor Karanka switched to a 3-5-2 formation after injuries to Calum Chambers and George Friend but was not rewarded with the kind of result Chelsea have enjoyed when deploying the same system. Boro were beyond toothless up front -- now a hallmark of their return to the top flight -- and a stronger side than Palace could have witnessed a far more comfortable victory.
Positives
It's hard to see how anything can be regarded as a positive from this lifeless display.