Aitor Karanka tells Middlesbrough to learn from mistakes against Crystal Palace

Aitor Karanka has urged his Middlesbrough players to learn from their mistakes after they slipped to a first defeat of the season, against Crystal Palace.

The Teesiders were beaten 2-1 by Alan Pardew's side, as Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha struck either side of Daniel Ayala's equaliser.

Middlesbrough had two penalty appeals turned down in the second half, but Karanka was more concerned with their defensive mistakes.

Zaha was given time and space to cross for Palace's opening goal, and the former Manchester United winger put the Eagles back in front after a costly error from George Friend.  

"When you lose you can't be pleased, especially when you lose a game like today (because of) mistakes," said Karanka. "It wasn't just the two goals, there were more mistakes."

Although disappointed by his side's sloppiness, Karanka was buoyed by their second-half display and felt the defeat taught them valuable lessons about the Premier League.

"If we had played 90 minutes in the way we played the last 45 we would have won the game," he said. "Not easily, but we would have won the game.

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"For that reason we can't forget that we're in a good position. We've lost the game today but the team is doing really well. I think it's a really good game to learn and we have to think about the future."

On the penalty incidents, Karanka added: "I don't need to say anything. I have to start to prepare the game against Everton and try to learn as much as I can from today and go forward.

"That's the main thing today. I told the players after the game that we are in a good position but we have to learn.

"Today we didn't play with our intensity, especially in the 45 minutes. This is the Premier League, and you are going to pay. For that reason we have to keep going. I'm really pleased with the squad and the players."