Everton 1 Middlesbrough 1 – 16/11/2008
Att 31,063

A mixed affair for those watching in blue ended 1-1 thanks 65th minute Yakubu equalizer. The goal canceled out Gary O’Neil’s early finish.

Z-Cars, the players did the pointless hand shakes, a coin toss to select which sides the teams will be defending, a long blast by Howard Webb, and the game was under way.

The first five minutes were rather cagey, both teams eying up their opposite numbers. As the eighth minute came, Everton beginning to find their feet, on the attack, Osman on the right, dispossessed. Then the Boro counter that was going to become a formality as the game went on. Downing down the left played the ball into Tuncay’s path. The England international then took up a place on the edge of the area, and when the ball came to him, his clever reversed pass found Gary O’Neill on the right to coolly finish from 10 yards out. Howard suspect at his near post but a good finish none the less.

Now needing to find a goal the blues looked more threatening as they pushed men forward. A good interchange from the front men gave Yakubu a one on one which the in form Turnbull did well to parry.

Ten minutes later, Lescott played in a looping cross that hit the post, evading the helpless Turnbull. It then came out to Marouanne Fellaini whose shot was blocked from five yards out.

Then a penalty shout, Yakubu appeared to have been upended after he played the ball past Turnbull. Only a corner was given, from which another glorious opportunity. Arteta with the sweeping cross, met by an unmarked Tim Cahill, only for the Australian to head wide. How many chances were the Blues’ going to waste?

Half time was then called by Howard Webb, a real kick up the backside was needed, in terms of finishing that is. Everton had plently of chances, and could of been 3 or 4 – 1 up at the break.

Attacking towards the Gwladys Street added impetus in the second half, and a few half chances started to rise the volume of a rather muted Goodison crowd.

Saha put a diving header past the post after a great first time cross by the impressive Phil Neville.

Everton dominated possession – at one stage the blues’ had over 80% of the possession, and ten minutes later the Goodison Park crowd had something to cheer about. One of Arteta’s best balls all season, pace and curl, evading everyone bar Yakubu’s back. The little deflection took the ball past the despairing Turnbull.

One all, and game on, athough it was Middlesbrough who threatened. Five minutes after the goal and a lay back to Didier Digard was then passed towards goal, Tim Howard having to pull of a strong one-handed save to keep it out via the post. Jagielka then rushed ahead of two Middlesbrough players to play the ball out of play. Jagielka has been world class at times this season, he’s been dedicated and comitted to the blue shirt, he has given his all and has saved us many times this season.

A few half chances for Everton were snuffed out by Middlesbrough. The most notable of which a Yakubu drive from an acute angle, six yards out that hit the corner flag.

An anticlimactic game was drawn to an end, greeted by a mixed round of boos and courteous applause. A good game for the neutral, frustrating for Evertonians and an invaluable point from Middlesbrough’s point of view. ‘Boro defending well, and Everton failed to take their chances. We need to become more ruthless against sides like Middlesbrough if we are to harbour any hope of another European adventure… Another centre midfielder to compliment the impressive Fellaini and some natural width should be the order of the day once the transfer window opens in little over six weeks time. It seems strange we had four central players in midfield today. Arteta and Osman out wide, not surprisingly for Arteta though, Moyes!

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