Everton have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup booking a place at Wembley for the first time since 1995 after beating Middlesbrough at Goodison Park today. They had to do it the hard way though, coming from a goal down to win 2-1.

The game started in Boro’s favour with all the early pressure coming from the travelling side. The wind was a key factor, holding the ball up in the air when Boro attacked towards the Park End, whilst Everton balls blew comfortably to Boro keeper Brad Jones. The best chance of the half for the Blues came from Marouane Fellaini. The ball was whipped in from the left, the Belgian got his head on it but it was clawed away for a corner by Jones. Goodison fell silent on 44 minutes when Boro took a surprise lead. From the right the ball was crossed into the box and met by the head of Boro centre-half David Wheater who headed the ball goal-bound. Tim Howard tried to push it out to safety but the ball had long gone over the line. The half time whistle was met by boos from the home crowd with Everton clearly missing the craft of Mikel Arteta

David Moyes threw on Frenchman Louis Saha for the second half and was instantly rewarded. Everton looked a different team and on 50 minutes Cahill crossed the ball for Marouane Fellaini who headed the ball over the on-rushing Brad Jones and into the net for the equaliser. The Wembley songs were reverberating around Goodison Park once again and the belief had returned. 6 minutes later another cross, this time provided by Steven Pienaar was headed in by substitute Louis Saha to give Everton the lead. Boro never really looked like getting back in it; their best chance came when Tim Howard fumbled a Gary O’Neil free-kick but Lescott was on hand to clear.

The final whistle started mass celebrations in the stands as Everton reached Wembley for a semi final date with European Champions Manchester United.

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