Everton 2 Middlesbrough 0

DESPITE again playing some eye-catching football at times, Boro's lack of cutting edge cost them dearly this afternoon, writes GORDON COX from Goodison Park.

Gareth Southgate elected to go with a 4-4-2 formation this afternoon, as Mido returned to partner Dong Gook Lee up front.

Elsewhere there were returns for Mark Schwarzer, Jonathan Woodgate and Gary O'Neil from the side which lost at Tottenham.

David Moyes was able to recall Tim Howard and Mikel Arteta, the pair having been sidelined through injury. Yakubu, as expected, was named in the starting line-up.

Everton crated the first chance of the game with just under three minutes played as Yakubu, with his back to goal, chested into the path of Arteta, but he was off balance when he shot well over.

Width provided by O'Neil and Stewart Downing caused problems early in the game and from a low Downing delivery George Boateng slip in to chip over Howard but wide of his right-hand post.

It took just seven minutes for Everton to make the breakthrough. Yakubu headed for goal from a left-wing corner. Woodgate and David Wheater both appeared to head off the line, but straight to Joleon Lescott who headed in his fourth goal of the season from the edge of the six-yard box.

Boro were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal when Lee was pushed in the back, but Downing's delivery deflected off the wall and Everton broke quickly down their left. Steven Pienaar took possession not far from the right-hand edge of the Boro penalty area and picked out Leighton Baines. A first-time cross found Yakubu unmarked six yards out but he headed over when he ought to have been at least on target.

Boro created a great chance to draw level with 25 minutes played as Luke Young cut down the right and sent over a deep cross. Lee peeled away from his closest marker but headed against the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard box.

Back came Everton and Arteta caused a problem when edging down the right before cutting into the penalty area and firing for Schwarzer's top left-hand corner, but the goalkeeper was equal to the challenge and grabbed the ball without too much difficulty.

In a tight game in was Everton who created more chances on goal and Schwarzer was well positioned to gather shots from the edge of the area from Arteta and Phil Neville.

As the first half drew to a close it was Everton who were the stronger and a low Arteta shot from the edge of the Boro box brought Schwarzer to his knees.

Half-time: Everton 1 Middlesbrough 0

For all they were leading, Everton were not playing with the swagger of a confident side and it was Boro who looked slightly sharper at the start of the second half.

Yakubu wasn't performing the way the home side would want an £11.25m signing to and as a consequence James McFadden was the main danger. But Boro's two strikers were not having the best of afternoons, but a left wing cross from Mido deserved to be attacked with more purpose by Lee as Boro looked to turn early second half territorial advantage into a goal.

But that came at the other end.

With 58 minutes played Arteta played a short ball to Steven Pienaar whose return pass found Arteta with time to spare as he played a low pass in between Young and Woodgate and the South African midfielder slid a low shot beyond Schwarzer from eight yards.

Just past the hour mark a snap volley from Mido flew into the side netting - it was his last act as less than a minute later he limped off to be replaced by Tom Craddock.

Yakubu made way approaching the midpoint of the second half, while Southgate's final throw of the dice came 18 minutes from time as Riggott replaced Lee and Wheater was pushed up front.

Throughout the afternoon, Boro's approach play had generally been of a sufficient quality that Everton always knew they were in a game, but a lack of goals to supplement the play was again a concern.

They lost nothing for effort, but couldn't make Howard work hard enough and with 10 minutes remaining O'Neil cleared the crossbar with a header from a Downing cross.

Another good move brought another chance six minutes from time as Rochemback, Downing, Young and O'Neil combined to set up Craddock whose goalbound header was grabbed on the line by Howard.

Downing linked with Craddock again as Boro looked for a big finish, but nothing more than a corner - which was cleared - was forthcoming.

Everton: Howard; Hibbert, Lescott, Stubbs, Baines, Neville (Capt.) Jagielka, Pienaar, Arteta (Carsley 90+1), McFadden (Yobo 75), Yakubu (Anichebe 66). Unused subs: Wessels (gk); Van der Meyde.

Boro: Schwarzer; Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor, O'Neil, Boateng (capt.), Rochemback, Downing, Lee (Riggott 72), Mido (Craddock 61). Unused subs: Jones (gk); Hines, Cattermole.

Referee Mike Riley, Leeds.

Bookings

Everton
None

Boro
O'Neil 34, foul; Mido 42, persistent misconduct; Rochemback 49, dissent; Lee 54, foul.

Attendance 31,885

Conditions Cool and overcast.

Website Boro Man of the Match Gary O'Neil