MIDDLESBROUGH'S bright start has soon been forgotten after two defeats in a row, with Everton able to brush aside the Teessiders with relative ease at Goodison Park.

The Toffees were 3-1 up at the break in a game which Boro took the lead through Alvaro Negredo’s presence on goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Here are the four key issues to emerge from the match.

DEFENSIVE CONCERNS

It is now one clean sheet from Middlesbrough’s opening six matches – five in the Premier League - so head coach Aitor Karanka knows where things need to improve and fast.

Victor Valdes has his knockers and there are those out there wanting a recall for Dimi Konstantopoulos, although regardless of who goes in goal there needs to be stronger performances in front of the goalkeeper.

There were plenty of good tackles and decent blocks from the Boro backline, but Everton’s greater threat – which is going to be a recurring theme at top-flight level – always raised question marks of the visitors.

Middlesbrough had conceded five goals in one and a half games before the second half had got underway, which is the worst Karanka has endured since his first six months in charge in the Championship.

BALL RETENTION AND SPEED OF PLAY

A key element of Middlesbrough’s promotion success has been their ability to keep the ball, but what they found in Everton was a team who could do that – and quicker.

The Toffees looked to attack quickly, turning defence into a forward surge in a manner which most top-flight teams try to do these days. The sooner Middlesbrough learn how to do that the better because there was a lack of urgency moving forward.

Far too often, as well, a red shirt gave the ball away. Middlesbrough might have had plenty of the ball but didn’t tend to do enough with it highlighted by not recording a short on target.

THE EXTRA TOP-FLIGHT EXPERIENCE

Everton may never have won the Premier League title, but they have also never been out of the division and have formed a strong squad to cause every team problems at this level.

Under Ronald Koeman, who has enjoyed relative success at Southampton, the Goodison Park club have started strongly and his team is bursting with experience after years in the top tier.

Middlesbrough, on the other hand, do not. Stewart Downing, Alvaro Negredo and Gaston Ramirez can boast having played in the Premier League, but despite a summer of change at the Riverside following promotion it is clear they could still do with more. Downing has been the most consistent member of the team so far and was the pick here.

Middlesbrough, who were relegated in 2009, should only get better provided the defeats don’t take their toll quickly on the squad’s morale and confidence, but they can expect more matches where they will play second fiddle in the battle to stay clear of the relegation zone.

DEBATABLE GOALS

These are issues, even if they didn’t influence the outcome of the game. Referee Lee Mason should never have allowed Negredo’s barge on Stekelenburg to stand when he jumped into the Dutchman in the 21st minute, and that did get Everton’s backs up.

But Middlesbrough had a right to complain about the equaliser, which was a result of Ashley Williams leaving his high foot in towards Valdes. Barry’s was of a high quality on his 600th Premier League appearance, but Mason could easily have pulled play back.

Everton had the greater right to debate the legality of those opening two goals, but they mattered little in the end as Middlesbrough had no answer to the Toffees’ greater quality.

AITOR KARANKA

“I have to say that after losing a game you can't be happy but I am really proud of the players, of their attitude because another team would have lost here five or six or seven-one for sure. The players were fighting until the last second and Everton had to play their best to beat us.

“I don't know about the goals and I prefer not to say anything. Last week we were talking about two penalties but I prefer to focus on my job because we have to let the referees do their job.

“I take positives. One of them is the attitude of the players because if we had the same attitude for 90 minutes last Saturday (against Palace) for sure we would have won the game. For that reason we have to learn. Last season we were in the Championship and today Everton had to play their best to beat us.

RONALD KOEMAN

“The reaction after 1-0 down was so positive. We needed - yes or no - the mistake of the ref, but then we showed really good football and also more aggression.

“The start was a better start for Boro than for us, but the players showed great character at 1-0 down at home, with great support from the fans to be 3-1 up by half time. It was great football, really enjoyable how we played.

“It is amazing the number of games that Gareth Barry has played, he showed he's a perfect player for this team. His goal was at an important moment of the game, and it was a special moment in a very special game for him. But he will be most pleased that we won.”