Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka admits they're struggling for firepower after their 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

They have scored only 19 goals in 26 league fixtures this season, the poorest record in the Premier League, and were so ineffective that at half-time their manager Karanka substituted Alvaro Negredo and replaced him with the equally poor Rudy Gestede.

"In the first half we didn't realise how important this game was," said Karanka. "I don't know why we didn't approach the first half like the second, we knew this was a big game for us.

"The way we approached this game was completely different in the first and second half.

"I don't want to say they didn't show the right attitude or commitment. But we know what situation we are in and we have to stick together."