Crystal Palace 0-1 Middlesbrough
- Published
Marvin Emnes' solitary strike was enough to give Middlesbrough victory over Crystal Palace.
The Dutchman's eighth goal of the season allowed Boro to move top at the expense of Brighton and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
The visitors played the last 15 minutes with 10 men after Joe Bennett was shown a second yellow card.
Jermaine Easter came closest to equalising for Palace but his shot came crashing back off the bar.
The defeat leaves the Eagles 12th, but just two points behind the play-off places.
The hosts had the first chance of the game through Patrick McCarthy, but the centre-back could only head Darren Ambrose's corner over the bar.
Palace found Boro keeper Carl Ikeme in top form, saving well from a long-range Easter effort and a powerful shot by Jonathan Parr.
In the second half, Justin Hoyte's teasing cross was tipped over by Ikeme's opposite number Julian Speroni.
From the resulting corner, the Argentine goalkeeper was unable to keep out Emnes' shot from a tight angle as Boro took the lead.
Palace win reveals Boro resolve - Mowbray
Bennett was sent off for Middlesbrough for a foul on substitute Wilfred Zaha, giving the home side the impetus to push forward in search of the equaliser.
However, even when Easter did beat the inspired Ikeme, he saw his strike come back off the bar.
Emnes fired wide with the last kick of the game as Boro saw out the game to win.