Adam Forshaw's having a better game in the Boro midfield. His pass is perfect for Christian Stuani to take down on the right wing, but just as it looks like he's got the better of Joel Ward he slips and Palace are back with it.

Not much doing in terms of an equaliser here. 

Another Boro corner is easily cleared by Palace, who are so fast out to push the home side back. 

Again an Adam Clayton pass is too long for George Friend, and the pressure reading resets to zero.

Free-kick Boro. Great position for Stewart Downing to whip one in. It beats the first man but not Scott Dann, who can steer clear on the head.

Christian Stuani's then in space to cross from the right flank but Joel Ward covers, the ball deflected comfortably into Steve Mandanda's grasp.

Brilliant from Wilfried Zaha. George Friend is beaten all ends up for pace, Zaha cuts back for Benteke who is strong but can't hold on to it, the ball pops out to Andros Townsend on the edge of the box who hammers one, and there's a fantastic turn away by Victor Valdes. 

... Scott Dann reckons there's hands on him as the ball floats across the box and away from goal to safety - the ref waves away his protests but gives Stewart Downing a free-kick, he's fouled by Joel Ward.

How will Boro respond to this then? They've not done an awful lot wrong so far. Although it was Adam Clayton's misplaced pass that led to the throw from which Palace crossed and scored.

Palace have got their sails up and Andros Townsend motors up to win a corner...

Chris Sutton
Ex-Chelsea striker, BBC Final Score

If you play to Christian Benteke’s strengths he will score, that’s a really brilliant header.

I was in the middle of writing about how finely poised this was. Christian Benteke's first goal for this new club put paid to all that.

Such power in the air.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton and Sunderland winger on Final Score

Palace are playing to Benteke's strengths. Put in the ball and he will do the rest, powering in to meet it. Put in decent crosses and Benteke will score.

Another wayward volley - Adam Clayton this time. 

Negredo's was exciting enough to get a round of applause, but with this one it's all groans from the stands. He smashed it into orbit as Stewart Downing's corner was cleared beyond the back post.

Alvaro Negredo flashes a volley way wide of goal in Boro's best move of the game so far. 

A brilliant ball from Adam Forshaw picks out Stewart Downing on the left, who volleys first time into the box. It's eagerly cleared by the Palace defence up to Negredo - just outside the box - but it's travelling too fast for him. A snapshot.

All Palace on the ball now. Boro sitting in, Alvaro Negredo scampering after the two centre-backs. 

Decent passing and moving from the away side - and good use of Christian Benteke as a target - but Boro are holding firm.

No-one ever said Andros Townsend was afraid to shoot. No, not cutting in from the left onto right foot, here he is blasting over from a central position. But there's a deflection... 

Corner ball and Scott Dann is in acres but mis-times his header - wayward and wide.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton and Sunderland winger on Final Score

Middlesbrough did their transfer business very early in pre-season. 

The side are defensively very rigid and enjoy sitting on one goal leads. Boro won't change their style in the top flight and I think they have enough about them to stay up this season.

Chris Sutton
Ex-Chelsea striker, BBC Final Score

Palace can't score a goal, which is a huge problem. 

This is a big game for the Eagles today, who need points on the board and something from their attacking play.

Neat work from Antonio Barragan at right-back. It's been a nervy start from both sides - lots of giving the ball back to each other. 

Barragan builds Boro's first decent move - I count six or seven passes, which at this stage is a big deal - but it's quickly snuffed out.

We're under way! 

Palace boom the ball out for a throw in.

Here we go then, kick-off is a moment away...

Handshakes all round in the dugout are quickly forgotten. Game faces on.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "Momentum is very important for every team who hasn't won a game yet. It's hard to win. Getting a win early would be good for us.

"We've got to start winning some games and this is an opportunity to win our first away game."

Image source, Getty Images