Middlesbrough suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season as Crystal Palace won 2-1 at the Riverside.
Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha in action with Middlesbrough’s George Friend
Crystal Palace picked up their first league win of the season away to Middlesbrough as they emerged as 2-1 victors on Teesside on Saturday.
An error from Boro full-back George Friend gifted Palace what would prove to be the winner as Wilfried Zaha capitalised in the second half.
The visitors got off to a strong start and were rewarded on the quarter-hour mark as Christian Benteke’s unchallenged header flew into the back of the net.
Crystal Palace’s Jonathan Benteke comes on as a substitute to replace Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke
But with half-time approaching Boro defender Daniel Ayala marked his 100th appearance since joining the club permanently with a well taken header to level things up.
Just after the break, the Eagles retook the lead as Wilfried Zaha capitalised on an error from Middlesbrough left-back George Friend to make it 2-1.
Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend in action with Middlesbrough’s Adam Forshaw
Friend had been an injury doubt before the match and judging from Middlesbrough fans’ reactions, they may have preferred it if the 28-year-old was left out by Aitor Karanka as Palace clinched three points.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
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