Crystal Palace 1-0 Middlesbrough match report: The Daily Mirror verdict

Neil Warnock is reaping the rewards for putting the smile back on the face of Darren Ambrose.

Ambrose’s career looked to be in freefall at former club Charlton but  Palace boss Warnock snapped him up on a free transfer in the summer.

Former Ipswich and Newcastle star Ambrose made it 10 goals for the season – and four in as many games – with the winner to sink Gordon Strachan’s Middlesbrough.

Alan Lee’s deep cross from the right was nodded on by Neil Danns and Ambrose coolly stroked home a neat finish past Boro keeper Brad Jones.

And the 25-year-old, who snubbed a host of other clubs to sign for Warnock after giving the Eagles boss his word he would come to Selhurst Park, admitted it’s a match made in heaven.

“He makes me laugh on the pitch,” said Ambrose. “He mentioned when I first came here he wanted me to play with a smile on my face and I have been doing that thanks to him.

“I think anyone’s confidence would be low after getting relegated twice in three years.

“Last year I didn’t play many games so it was about picking the right club and the right manager for me and I think I have done that.

“The boss has put faith into me and I have just tried to repay him.”

Ambrose’s blistering goal-scoring form means his boss has already had to reassess his goals target for the season.

“I dare not tell you how many I originally set him,” said Warnock. “I told him he was going to be my star.

“He had been battered and bruised and his confidence was shattered but he has responded just how I knew he would.”

But it was another bad day for Boro boss Strachan who has lost both games since taking over the reins from sacked Gareth Southgate.