Sam Allardyce received a much-needed boost as his Palace side held off Middlesbrough for a big win. Middlesbrough slid further towards the Premier League trap door after surrendering to fellow strugglers Crystal Palace 1-0 in a dire performance. Aitor Karanka switched to a 3-5-2 formation after injuries to Calum Chambers and George Friend but was not rewarded with the kind of result Chelsea have enjoyed when deploying the same system.