Palace find way blocked by imposing Southgate

Crystal Palace's receding hopes of retaining their Premiership position were dealt a substantial blow at Selhurst Park yesterday. That they failed to take anything out of home advantage against a Middlesbrough side that had not won away in the League since November was a damning indictment.

There was a poverty of resources about Palace that allowed Boro to put a goal in their own bank after 35 minutes and retain it without many serious problems. This was based on the superb defensive composure and leadership of Gareth Southgate who, here, absolutely dominated everything in his own penalty area in a manner that emphasised the lack of decisive finishing that bedevilled Palace's performance from start to finish.

Boro's manager, Steve McClaren had tried to play down the importance of the match but afterwards admitted: "It was a must-win game and we showed great character. We're back in the pack for a European place. Southgate was magnificent."

Both clubs had been given ample time to recover from their hammerings of a fortnight ago when, forgivably, Palace had lost 4-1 at Chelsea while Boro had slipped again with a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton. But time had not healed the injuries of several members of Palace's squad, which made it all the more important that Andrew Johnson was back in the attack.

Seemingly, Boro had gained greater benefit from the international break. Mark Viduka, George Boateng and Ray Parlour were all back, though in the case of Viduka, his game (the first after missing 18) lasted for less than 15 minutes before he left the field with the same hamstring injury. Palace opened brightly and when Dougie Freedman offered Johnson a clear shot at goal from close in, the England striker negligently turned it wide of the far post.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was also wasteful when he screwed a shot across the face of the Palace goal for Boro's first meaningful attack which took 18 minutes to arrive. Palace responded immediately, Johnson clouting the foot of the post from 25 yards and then finding Boro's goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, with the rebound.

Against most of what had gone before, Boro took a 35th-minute lead with a goal of consummate simplicity. A corner from Stewart Downing into the centre of the penalty area arrived at the head of Franck Queudrue who had a free header into goal.

Palace were always susceptible to the high ball played into their goal area and were fortunate Boro did not attempt it often. As far as the Palace attack was concerned, Johnson was well marshalled by the excellent Southgate while Freedman, who had more freedom, also often had Southgate or Queudrue tight on his shoulders. Even so, Boro seemed strangely satisfied with their slender advantage, rarely pushing forward when they broke down Palace's attacks. In truth, what had broken down more than anything was the match itself. Palace's persistence was not in doubt, but they were too predictable.

Southgate seemed to relish playing before his former fans, guiding the Boro defence with calm assurance that brought about increasing frustration for Palace who spent minutes on end within 30 yards of the visitors' goal-line yet never got anyone into clear space. Boro had to be credited for their composure. It was a mighty long time to hold onto their one goal.