CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1):
Hennessey 7; Ward 7, Tomkins 6, Sakho 7, van Aanholt 8 (Schlupp 86); Milivojevic 6, Cabaye 6 (McArthur 62, 6); ZAHA 8 (Dann 86), Puncheon 7, Townsend 7; Benteke 6.
Subs (not used): Speroni (gk), Delaney, Kaikai, Campbell.
MIDDLESBROUGH (5-4-1):
7 Valdes: Didn’t have a chance with van Aanholt’s goal, but made smart first-half saves to deny Benteke and Puncheon
5 Fabio: Tried to get forward in the second half, but struggled defensively as Zaha and van Aanholt doubled up against him
6 Bernardo: Fared reasonably well against Benteke but didn’t always look comfortable as part of a central-defensive three
5 Ayala: His defensive header led to van Aanholt’s goal and he conceded possession cheaply on a number of occasions
8 GIBSON: The pick of Boro’s defenders by a distance and strode out with the ball on a number of occasions in the second half
5 Downing: Isn’t the most natural of wing-backs at this stage of his career and struggled to keep tabs on the lively Townsend
6 Stuani: Came closest to a Boro goal with a swivelled second-half shot that was saved by Hennessey and put in plenty of effort
5 De Roon: Was a bystander for much of the game as Palace’s slick counter-attacking punched holes in the Boro midfield
4 Forshaw: Couldn’t get to grips with the pace and mobility of Palace’s midfielders – his place must be under threat from Leadbitter
5 Ramirez: Flickered into life sporadically, but never looked like providing an end product – needs to start living up to his billing again
5 Negredo: His half-time departure was tactical, although it’s hard to see what more he could have done given his lack of first-half service
Subs:
5 Gestede (for Negredo, 46): Replaced Negredo at the interval, but effectively provided more of the same – never looked like scoring
4 Guedioura (for Forshaw, 61): The script was written for him as he returned to Palace, but one of his attempted shots went out for a throw in
Traore (for Stuani, 79)
(not used): Guzan (gk), Fry, Leadbitter, Clayton.
Man Of The Match: WILFRIED ZAHA – The Palace winger provided the kind of energetic spark that Boro were so badly lacking. On this form, he will play a crucial role in his side’s survival push.
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