Middlesbrough were left to lick their wounds after a plucky and workmanlike performance saw them come away with nothing in a 3-1 loss to West Ham.
A rampant Andy Carroll found it all too easy, bagging two goals and ultimately frustrating a Boro side who might have had better luck on another day.
Positives
Boro improved hugely from last weekend's outing in the 0-0 draw at Watford. They worked tirelessly to try to break down the well-organised Hammers and midfield dynamo Adama Traore enjoyed his best game so far in a red shirt.
Negatives
The home side were in the ascendancy in the latter period of the first half, but didn't make it count and failed to go in at half-time on an equal footing. Instead, they fell foul of a West Ham counter-attack, with a gleeful Carroll picking up the scraps to pile on the pressure and leave Boro chasing for the rest of the game.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Aitor Karanka was criticised once again for waiting too long to introduce tactical changes. His side's presence and momentum was centred around Traore, who did well even though he was often under-supported. Karanka pushed extra men up front for the last 10 minutes, but it was seemingly too little too late once again for the Teessiders.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Victor Valdes, 7 -- Read the game brilliantly and made some crucial moves out of his box to intercept oncoming West Ham attacks, but should have done more to prevent spilling a shot into Carroll's path for the away side's second goal.
DF George Friend, 5 -- Became increasingly ineffective as the game went on and fatigue kicked in, and struggled to support Traore when the winger switched to the left in the second half.
DF Ben Gibson, 6 -- Had a lot on his plate with the double-pronged presence of the illustrious Carroll and Mikhail Antonio, but helped the Boro backline to keep their shape and composure.
DF Calum Chambers, 7 -- Took some time to find his rhythm and was ineffectual in the lead up to the corner that spawned the Hammers' first goal. Later found his feet and linked up well with Traore for the rest of the second half.
DF Bernardo Espinosa, 5 -- Was not really at the races and looked out of control at many points during the game.
MF Adama Traore, 8 -- Boro's star man really highlighted why Chelsea might be interested in taking him on, his mazy runs and tricky movement making him an integral part of every attack.
MF Adam Forshaw, 5 -- Put in an under-the-weather performance, as he never really got to grips with Manuel Lanzini, who ran rings around Boro in the middle of the park.
MF Marten de Roon, 5 -- Was also out of sorts as West Ham often broke through the centre of the park and struggled to find shape and presence.
MF Adam Clayton, 6 -- Was a welcome sight back in the side, his gritty tackling and no-nonsense approach to playing it simple beneficial for Boro.
FW Cristhian Stuani, 7 -- Continued on from his solid effort last week, his movement as one of the front two rewarded with a well-taken equalizer in the middle of the first half.
FW Alvaro Negredo, 5 --
Substitutes
FW Patrick Bamford, N/R -- Making his return to the side for whom he enjoyed a successful loan spell back in the Championship, he had little time to have any effect on the game after his 80th-minute introduction.
FW Rudy Gestede, N/R -- Was brought on to help Boro take a more direct approach to finding an equalizer, but with only seven minutes remaining it was a tough ask.