Along with many others, I set off on the long trek North at silly o’clock in the morning for my first visit to the Riverside Stadium, the home of newly promoted Middlesbrough, so far unbeaten in the Premier League and a ground that Palace had never actually won at.
Despite this, there was an air of confidence in that the Eagles would record their first win of the season and there was a real need to start getting some results as Alan Pardew would have no doubt agreed.
Upon arriving at another impressive stadium it is obvious that Selhurst Park has suffered from underdevelopment and bad ownership for so long that we have fallen behind lots of clubs in terms of stadium structure. There is hope however having recently heard chairman Steve Parish on TalkSport talking about plans for redevelopment.
However, today was not about the stadia appearance. It was about returning to South London with a much needed three points.
The injury to Loic Remy was disappointing especially as it occurred during the week in training so the Frenchman has returned to his parent club Chelsea for treatment. Like myself, many were looking forward to him being a force up front with Christian Benteke, however, it did not sway my optimism for the day.
Pardew opted to recall Wilfried Zaha back to the starting line up along with Martin Kelly replacing Pape Souare at left back who returned from international duty with Senegal later than expected. Welshman Joe Ledley came in for the injured Yohan Cabaye as we started with a familair formation behind the lone striker.
Palace began the match with real purpose, looking determined to register a first league win of the season. Pardew had them fired up as the players were tenacious in the tackle and looked to get forward at every opportunity. The hosts soon realised that the Eagles had not made the long trip just to make up the numbers.
Home fans watched on as Boro struggled to get our of their own half for the opening period of the game. It was not long for the pressure to pay off, a little over fifteen minutes in fact. After some good work out wide, Zaha found space and was given time to whip in an excellent cross which was met by the head of Benteke. The Belgian’s strength in the air told as the ball found its way to the back of the net, past the despairing Victor Valdes. The away section erupted in jubilant scenes.
Chasing the game at an early stage, Middlesbrough started to push on in search of an equaliser but were strong and more than a match for the opposition, dare I say, we looked comfortable. With Kelly in at left back instead of Souare, we looked a more organised and cohesive defensive unit, as the former Liverpool defender had a very good game.
The game was end to end with corners for both teams and now looking dangerous when going forward. Former England international Stuart Downing was proving a handful with set pieces and it was one of his deliveries that levelled things up as it looks like Palace were heading into the break with a deserved lead. With less than ten minutes to Downing swung in a corner that was met by the head of Daniel Ayala who headed home despite the diving Steve Mandanda getting a hand to it.
The Boro following were now taunting the travelling support as any fan group would do but it could have been a lot better for them. In injury time, it was heart literally in the mouth for the Palace faithful as Spaniard Alvaro Negrado was through one-on-one with Mandanda. It was a was a massive chance for Boro to go 2-1 up as it looked as if he could not miss but against all the odds, the impressive Mandanda parried the ball away for what seemed destined to be a goal.
The signing of Mandanda was exciting in itself but to see the Frenchman in action suggests that we may just have one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. He really is a class act.
A huge sign of relief as the half time whistle blew, it was all square but Palace were looking good.
The second half began with Palace on the front foot, much like the start of the first half. It only took two minutes for the visitors to regain the lead in what prove to be the winning goal.
A bit of magic from Zaha who was put in by James McArthur but there was plenty still to do. Continuing where he left off in the first half, Zaha gave full back George Friend a torrid time, muscling past him before hitting a fantastic left foot shot into the net.
Cue pandemonium in the away end erupted, such pure emotion. Zaha looked absolutely delighted and made a beeline for the Palace fans pursued by his team mates in an effort to show off his dance moves. Who could blame him? The wing wizard was subject of late interest from Spurs in the transfer window but this performance proved that it had not effected him.
The stadium was overrun with the sound of ‘he’s just too good for you’ in what was turning out to be a fantastic afternoon for the travelling faithful.
Boro had to push once again in search of a goal but once again, Palace looked strong and comfortable while also dangerous going forward. Christian Benteke impressed and always looked likely to muster something if the opportunity arose.
In a bid to change the game, Boro manager Aitor Karanka introduced Gaston Ramirez and Marten de Room as he looked for more attacking urgency.
The game played out with chances at either end, Andros Townsend having a good second half continued to looked dangerous when pushing forward.
It was not until a little over ten minutes left of the game to play when Pardew made his first change and it was surprisingly replacing Townsend with Lee Chung-yong in a like for like substitution.
Boro threw everything at Palace who were having to dig really deep to see out the match without conceding a second goal. More fresh legs followed as debutant and experienced head Mathieu Flamini replaced Joe Ledley and the Benteke brothers changing places for the younger of the two to make his debut.
Palace were now literally hanging on as Boro were pushing forward in what was constant pressure. Two handball claims, one on Scott Dann which could have been given and the other on Damien Delaney. Thankfully, both were waved away by the referee.
With Steve Mandanda between the sticks it would of taken something special to beat him, he really is that good.
Five minutes of injury time were endured, which seemed more like twenty and it was not helped by Zaha who committed a foul right on the edge of the Palace box. Perfectly timed some would say but Boro could not do anything with the set piece and the official blew up for full time.
A fantastic team performance and three well deserved points. Impressive performances from Zaha, Benteke and Mandanda but credit where credit is due, the whole team put in a real shift.
The players and staff looked ecstatic at the final whistle as they made their way over to thank the travelling support. A vital win, first in the league this season, first at the Riverside and a much needed victory for Alan Pardew.
The long journey home is so much better with three points under your belt.
