Middlesbrough's unbeaten start to life in the Premier League came to an abrupt end at the hands of a clinical Crystal Palace on Saturday. Uncharacteristic errors from some of Boro's usually reliable players offered Alan Pardew's men the chance to kickstart their stuttering season with a 2-1 victory on Teesside. A late surge from Aitor Karanka's side was not enough to steal a share of the points and this result will serve as a wakeup call with even tougher tests to come.
Positives
Boro showed commendable steel not to cave after conceding for a second time and regrouped to push for an equalising goal throughout the latter stages of the match.