As both sides were unbeaten in 4 games this was to be seen as a tough game, this was definitely the case but not so much in the first half. We played some excellent stuff and in the process Gary O’Neil slotted his 2nd goal for the Boro within 8 minutes, this was beginning to look promising.
His goal was well played, well crafted and well worked as Downing sprinted down the left flank, passed it to Tuncay who squeezed it back to him, Downing looked right to a screaming Gary O’Neil, switched the play and O’Neil rounding off a good move, thank you very much 1-0 Boro.
Chances came from either end, but before Everton came out with their response to the 1-0 deficit we were trying to capitalize on our lead, the tales were up and every time Boro pushed up they looked a threat in attack.
Yakubu forced a good save from Turnbull, the Yak showing a bit of muscle against Pogatetz resulting him in falling over; however he took his frustration out on other players such as Arteta and Cahill, that particular incident with Cahill was brilliant, a bit of argy bargy with Arca and Poggy runs over and barges him out the way, good old mad dog! Going back to the Yak and he had a penalty shout which if I’m being honest some referees might have given, luckily Howard Webb trotted over and told him, ‘Not for me’. Fellow Nigerian Joseph Yobo was close with a header but scupperd over the bar.
Half time drew and the lead was ours, time to take a breather and basque in the possible glory, not being too hasty mind but contemplating 6 points in 2 away games? That’s Hull territory! The league table would look fantastic but there were another 45 minutes to get stuck into.
Boro had to overcome quite a lot of home team pressure, a free header from Cahill on a corner and I’m sure that was shouted a lot from the Boro players meaning somebody had to mark the tattooed Aussie.
Our two centre backs felt the brute force of Everton with both going down after each other in the space of seconds, that’s what you want to see (not them getting injured) them rolling their sleeves with a ‘come on then’ attitude. Riggott felt the blunt of it more than Poggy so step up Davie Wheater as his replacement.
Possession was mostly Everton’s in the second half, and eventually Everton got the goal their battled for; when the goal went in around a crowded penalty area I’m sure for at least a second you thought ‘please don’t let it be the Yak’? Unfortunately the lazy fat bastard (oh steady on Ed) got his just rewards and levelled the score. He scored for Everton 65 minutes in (bit early?) and we had to endure more pressure from Everton but nothing their chances weren’t too severe.
Boro had one last chance so close to the end, Tuncay making a darting run through Everton linked up with Downing, Emnes was free in the box and oh dear…He got his foot caught on the grass! However you couldn’t argue with Tuncay’s shift.
So a good point then, 4 points in 2 away games, which will do nicely, now to embrace two home games, which are winnable!