Dogged Palace are punished

Crystal Palace were taught another harsh lesson about life in the Premiership on Saturday, as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's 30 yard free-kick snatched victory for Middlesbrough on Teeside.

Andy Johnson had single-handedly won and converted a 52nd minute penalty to give his side a hard-earned lead, but eight minutes later a needless free-kick conceded by Danny Granville, saw Stuart Parnaby's low cross deflect off Tony Popovic's heel beyond Julian Speroni to equalise.

The relief was tangible among the 31,560 crowd inside the Riverside, because a star-studded Boro line-up had become frustrated by a dogged Palace side, determined to protect their lead.

But after a string of out-standing saves by Julian Speroni kept Boro at bay, it was a dubious free-kick awarded by referee Mike Dean which settled the game. Michael Hughes seemed to make little contact with George Boateng 10 yards outside the box, but Hasselbaink curled in a 30 yard effort no keeper could have stopped.

With a single point from three games, Iain Dowie was hampered by training ground injuries to Dougie Freedman and Tommy Black, with Sandor Torghelle and Neil Shipperley also out. He responded by recalling Hughes for striker Ivan Kaviedes in a defensive 4-5-1 formation.

Boro always threatened however and Mark Viduka showed his class, when he received an aerial Mendietta pass in the box, spun Hall and launched a right footed volley which flew inches over. Speroni went a long way towards redeeming his gaffe against Everton with a string of saves.

In the second half, Moments after Kolkka was denied by a fantastic Riggott tackle, the same defender brought down a rampaging Johnson, for a clear penalty. The 23-year-old striker dusted himself down to hammer the ball straight down the centre. But the lead lasted just nine minutes, as Popovic deflected substitute Stuart Downing's free kick past a helpless Speroni.

Sensing victory, Boro pushed forward against a nervous and tiring Palace side, with Hasselbaink, Parlour and Nemeth all testing Speroni from distance.

But there was nothing he could do to prevent Hasselbaink curling home the winner as Palace conceded from another set piece.

Visibly deflated, the Eagles never stopped working, but failed to create another chance.

Afterwards McClaren conceded: "Credit to Crystal Palace. They made it difficult for us and it was a tough game. But we deserved the win because I can't remember how many saves their keeper made."

Dowie was disappointed to concede at two set-pieces, calling the first foul "needless" and claiming there was hardly any contact for Hughes's decisive foul. He said: "You cannot say we were out-played because we were very competitive.

"We were pleased with the first 55 minutes and then it was just a needless challenge and a soft first goal.

"Performances have progressed but we need to get results. One win would make a hell of a difference for us."

MATCH STATS

Man of the Match: Mark Hudson Error-prone at times, but an absolute rock on Saturday. Commanding throughout against Hasselbaink and Viduka, his superb recovery tackle and assured display spared Popovic's blushes.

Palace: Speroni 7, Boyce 6, Popovic 5, Hudson 8, Granville 6, Routledge 6 (Kaviedes 84), Hall 6, Riihilahti 7 (Derry 80 6), Kolkka 6, Hughes 7, Johnson 8.

Not Used: Kiraly, Borrowdale, Soares. Booked: Hughes, Popovic.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue, Mendieta (Nemeth 55), Parlour, Boateng, Zenden (Downing 56), Hasselbaink, Viduka.

Not Used: Ehiogu, Nash, Job. Booked: Riggott.

BORO PALACE 15 Shots On Target 2 9 Shots Off Target 4 16 Fouls against 16 4 Corners 2 1 Yellow Cards 2 0 Red Cards 0