8 talking points from the Premier League weekend

Middlesbrough’s goal shortage could prove costly

A name not usually associated with free-flowing, entertaining football is Middlesbrough. The Teesside club are the lowest scorers in the league and look exceptionally timid when it comes to playing on the front foot.

Boro have managed to avoid much of the relegation talk so far this season, but surely their struggles in front of goal will begin to become more of an issue as the season reaches an intense climax?

A goalless draw at home to high-flying Everton may not seem like a bad result on paper, but Middlesbrough must start converting more chances, if they are to do the same in regards to changing one point into three.

Boro brought Patrick Bamford back from Chelsea in the January window to help ease the burden on top goalscorer Alvaro Negredo, but only time will tell if Bamford is the answer to Middlesbrough’s problems.

Defensively well-drilled, but Boro cannot continue to play for draws, otherwise their top-flight status could come to another untimely end.