Eagles downed at Boro

August 25 2012

Crystal Palace's poor start to the season continued with a 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough.

It's the first time in 39 years Palace have failed to win any of the opening three fixtures of a league campaign.

New arrival from Cardiff Darcy Blake started, along with former Bristol City winger Yannick Bolasie

Brazilian midfielder Andre Moritz, who signed for the Eagles on Friday, was on the bench.

Boro got their noses in front four minutes before half-time from a corner. Julian Speroni pushed an Adam Reach effort over the bar and Seb Hines headed in Grant Leadbitter's corner.

Six minutes into the seond period, the hosts extended their lead through a Merouane Zemmama free-kick after Wilfried Zaha brought down George Friend on the edge of the area.

Palace pulled a goal back on 56 minutes with a Jermaine Easter penalty - his second goal of the season - after getting fouled in the area by Josh McEachran.

Boss Dougie Freedman brought on Moritz, Kwesi Appiah and Dean Moxey to get Palace back in the game but it was to no avail.

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