Match Preview

And so the post-Gravesen era begins with the fairly tricky trip to The Riverside Stadium for a televised clash with Middlesbrough.  Steve McLaren's mercurial side seem to have stabilised as a very real threat to Everton's Champions League ambitions and, as such, this will be an important game for David Moyes's side as they adjust to life without their star midfielder.

Thomas Gravesen's much-vaunted move to Real Madrid, has dominated the lead-up to this game but Moyes has insisted that it is business as usual, refusing to allow the distraction to affect his side's preparations.

He does now have a rather large hole in his midfield, though, a factor that will force him to make changes to what is a settled line-up.

He could drop the 4-5-1 formation and go to 4-4-2, with James Beattie and Marcus Bent up front and Lee Carsley in central midfield alongside Tim Cahill, or he could draft Joseph Yobo into the midfield, either in Carsley's holding role or as a direct replacement for Gravesen.  He may even elect to use James McFadden wide left and deploy Kevin Kilbane centrally, as he did at Plymouth, or push McFadden wide right and move Osman into the middle.

Steve Watson is not an option as he continues to struggle with a stomach strain while Duncan Ferguson is eligible after a three-match ban... but don't expect to see him feature, especially given Nick Chadwick's goalscoring substitute's appearance in the FA Cup tie last week.

'Boro will be without veteran wide-man Ray Parlour who is suspended and defender Chris Riggott is sidelined with an injury.  He joins fringe players Stuart Parnaby and Malcolm Christie on the treatment table.

The Teesiders have lost just twice at home this season — to Manchester United in their last fixture at The Riverside and Chelsea back in September — so getting three points would be a massive achievement for the Blues.  'Boro currently lie eight points back in 6th place and, while Liverpool would seem to be the biggest threat to our hopes of finishing fourth, Sunday's opponents must not be counted out.

As they have already proved this season, Moyes's Everton can bounce back from losing their best player.  The departure of Wayne Rooney seems to have done little to upset the team — indeed, many believe that the ructions of last summer have forged a tight-nit unity that has directly contributed to success on the field this season.

The loss of Gravesen might be a little harder to overcome, simply because he was so integral to our improvement since August, but it's up to the players to knuckle down and find the collective inspiration to keep the club on course for European qualification.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Stats

This will be the 119th meeting between Everton and Middlesbrough in all competitions, and the 60th at Middlesbrough.  This match will be the 20th meeting in the Premier League and the 10th at Middlesbrough.

Everton's full record against Middlesbrough is:

Our record away to Middlesbrough is:

The last match between the sides was earlier this season on 19 September when Marcus Bent�s first goal at Goodison Park ensured a 1-0 victory.  The last match at Middlesbrough was on 3 December 2003, when the sides drew 0-0 in a League Cup 4th Round match, which Middlesbrough then won on penalties.  The last league match between the sides at Middlesbrough was on 21 September 2003, when Middlesbrough won 1-0.

There have been six Everton hat-tricks against Middlesbrough, with the last being Tommy Lawton�s 4 goals, at Middlesbrough, as Everton were on their way to another League title on 11 March 1939, when the sides drew 4-4.  This remains as the highest number of goals scored by a single Everton player in a match without being on the winning side.

The most common victory for Everton is 2-1 which has happened 13 times in Everton's 55 victories.  Middlesbrough�s most common victory over Everton is 1-0 which has happened 8 times in Middlesbrough�s 31 victories. The most common draw between the sides is 1-1, which has happened 14 times in the 32 draws between the sides.

Everton's record for 16 January is:

This is the second time that the sides have met on this day.  The only other meeting was in 1915 when Everton lost 5-1 at Middlesbrough.  Despite this, Everton ended that season as League Champions.  The last match on this day was in 1993 when a brace from Tony Cottee ensured a 2-0 Everton victory over Leeds United.

Ian Atkins was born on this day in 1957 in Sheldon, Birmingham.  Signed from Sunderland for �70,000 in November 1984, Ian made just 9 appearances fro Everton, whilst also scoring 1 goal (at home to West Bromwich Albion in April 1985).  In September 1985, Ian was sold to Ipswich Town for �100,000.

Trevor Ross was also born on this day in 1957 in Ashton-under-Lyne.  Signed from Arsenal in November 1977 for �170,000, Trevor played 151 times for Everton, as well as getting 20 goals. He then had loan moves to Portsmouth (October/November 1982) and Sheffield United (December 1982) before being sold by the club to AEK Athens in July 1983.

Milestones that can be reached in this game:

�          If he plays as expected, new signing, James Beattie, will become the 120th player to appear for the club in the Premier League, and the 774th player to appear for the club in a league match.

Steve Flanagan

Cahill salvages a valuable point

Tim Cahill scored the all-important equaliser as Everton began the post-Thomas Gravesen era with a creditable if slightly disappointing draw at The Riverside Stadium.  The Australian's 76th-minute strike cancelled out a first-half goal by Boudewijn Zenden that looked for long periods as though it would be enough to overcome David Moyes's conservative strategy.

With Gravesen's departure for Real Madrid and the potential role of Leon Osman dominating the build-up to this game, it was surprising to see Everton's No 21 missing from the team sheet � presumably through injury or illness; Osman didn't travel with the squad to the northeast.  It forced Moyes to shuffle his pack further, with Lee Carsley moving up into Gravesen's position and Joseph Yobo being drafted into the midfield holding role.  James Beattie was deployed as a lone striker with Marcus Bent playing deeper on the right, as he did at Plymouth last week with mixed results.

During the early sparring, Zenden had an early shot from outside area that was caught under the bar by Richard Wright and Gareth Southgate connected with 'Boro's third corner of the first 10 minutes but, thankfully, his effort hit the stanchion.

A first-half chance arrived for Beattie after 12 minutes with a glancing header that bounced awkwardly but Mark Schwarzer dealt with it.  On the next attack, Marcus Bent beat his marker with a deft flick and then danced his way to the byline but when he cut it back, a combination of goalkeeper and defender did enough to nick it away from Tim Cahill in the six-yard box.

Middlesbrough lost experienced defender Ugo Ehiogu to injury following a clash with his own goalkeeper.  At 37, his replacement Colin Cooper might have been a welcome addition from Everton's point of view, but the more defensively-minded 4-5-1 formation offered few opportunities to exploit the lack of pace in the home side's rearguard.

Nevertheless, the Blues were inches away from taking the lead in the 20th minute when a sweeping move made possible by strong running by Bent ended with Carsley bursting into the area to meet Kevin Kilbane's cross but his first-time shot crashed agonizingly off the top of the crossbar.

At the other end, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink turned David Weir on the edge of area but Tony Hibbert made a wonderful saving tackle and Blues got it clear but it merely delayed 'Boro breaking the deadlock.  Two minutes later, the ball broke past Hibbert down the right sending Zenden clear and as Wright — needlessly and inexplicably — came charging out of the goal area giving the Dutchman all the opportunity he needed to fire past him.  Although Alan Stubbs made a heroic effort to stop it on the line, his touch only bounced off the underside of the bar and in.

It was a cruel blow for Everton who had controlled the game for periods of the first half.  Conceding the goal seemed to knock their confidence a little and it wasn't until two minutes before half time that Bent forced the first real save from Schwarzer with another fierce shot from the angle.  As 'Boro cleared the ball, Hibbert was booked for a late collision on Downing � perhaps a little harsh because it was a high challenge for the ball.

The Blues come out from the interval early but, disappointingly, kicked off the second half in the same 4-5-1 formation.  Nevertheless, they did come out a little more offensively minded.  Two minutes after the restart, a deep free kick by Carsley found Stubbs with a free header but a combination of no pace on the ball and bad placement sent it easily into Schwarzer's arms.

'Boro's threat on the break remained, however, as evidenced by Mark Reiziger who ran forever into the Everton half before firing low, but Wright spilled it for a corner.  Zenden then had a snapshot deflected just wide as the Blues struggled to clear and Beattie's frustration's culminated in another booking as he checked Hasselbaink.

Everton, driven mostly by the marauding Kilbane, continued to knock the ball about well in midfield but couldn't provide sufficient service to Beattie who, still struggling for fitness, battled for scraps and exhibited some poor touches when the ball was played in to him.  Most chances were falling to midfielders and Cahill nipped in just past the hour mark but headed a Weir cross over the bar.

It was at this point that Beattie suddenly woke up and a minute after finding a burst of pace that enabled him to beat a couple of men before running into a third, he capitalised on Schwarzer's failure to catch a cross by poking the ball goalwards, only to see his effort roll frustratingly off the base of the post.

Despite threatening periodically, though, Everton were still operating with a five-man midfield and not looking any closer to finding a precious equaliser.  Enter Duncan Ferguson for Yobo, who had done a fair job in midfield, with 17 minutes to go.  With only his second or third touch, he nodded a deep Hibbert cross back across goal and Cahill beat two defenders to the ball to tuck it past the goalkeeper.  An inspired substitution by the manager, even if the feeling was that it should have come a good ten minutes earlier.

Stung into a reposte, Zenden, who remained the home side's chief threat, fizzed a shot from distance a yard wide.

Four minutes later, it all went off with a goalmouth brawl involving half the players from each team after Ferguson had quite legitimately challenged Schwarzer for a dropped ball in the six-yard box.  Zenden bent down over the Scot to remonstrate with him, three more red jerseys descended, followed by a cluster of blue and the fracas ended up in the back of the 'Boro net! Referee Dermot Gallagher kept a cool head and resisted the temptation to flash any red cards before the game resumed.

Ferguson was next to try his luck with a left-foot shot from left edge of area which forced a deflection off Quedrue that could have gone anywhere but bounced out for a corner.  Another aerial battle with Schwartzer ensued in which Cahill fell awkwardly on his shoulder and had to be withdrawn for Naysmith.

As Everton continued to press, Bent swung a lazy cross in that hit the hand of a defender but appeals for a penalty were waved away before Zenden was rightly booked for a professional foul on Kilbane.  Bent could — and with a bit more killer instinct probably would — have stolen all three points at the death when he was put in clean through behind the defence but he dallied too long waiting for the ball to drop just right and it was taken off his toe with just the 'keeper to beat.

That was to be the last chance of the game, which ended all square.  Before the game, given all the hype about how the Blues would struggle without Gravesen, most Evertonians would have settled for a draw.  Afterwards, however, you were left with the feeling that Moyes played this one a little too cagily in not sensing 'Boro's reluctance to assume the role of home side and attack with more purpose. 

There is a case for arguing he delayed his substitutions too long and that, in the context of our supposed challenge for Champions League qualification, this was two points dropped.  Certainly, the manager doesn't seem ready to start thinking like a top-four side — that may have to change in the coming weeks, as will the reliance on a five-man midfield once Beattie attains a higher level of fitness.

Man of the match: Kevin Kilbane for his tireless running and attacking fervour
Concern of the match: Richard Wright, who was clearly at fault for their goal, failed to hold anything hit at him with pace, and caused some nervy moments with a clear lack of communication with his defenders

Lyndon Lloyd

That'll Do

It was a few weeks ago on a drunken night we decided to go to this one. We being myself and Simo. Simo is a Tranmere Rovers fan first and foremost but tries to follow Everton where and when possible so with the game being on the Sunday he thought – why not?

Well, the problem was that Tranmere played Wrexham away on the Saturday and Simo went. This is Tranmere’s local derby in League One so meant plenty of drinking before and afterwards for Simo. Particularly so when Tranmere won 5-1. The plan was for him to meet us in Huddersfield (where I live) and to go out for a few drinks on Saturday night, get up early on Sunday and get the train. Well we had more than a few drinks and it was a late night so getting up at 7:30am on Sunday morning was not quite as easy, particularly for Simo who had been drinking the most part of the day previous. Asking a lot from a lad who is not really an Everton fan.

Undeterred he came along and we got to the train station well in time for the 09:16 direct to Middlesbrough. Imagine Simo’s shock when I paid £16 return with my railcard and he had to pay £25.60 for a single to Middlesbrough. A complete rip-off, particularly when a return was £25.20 (go figure!). Asking a lot from a lad who is not really an Everton fan.

Anyways we got to Middlesbrough at a little after 11am and wandered towards the ground. Got a bite to eat but then had to find a pub mainly due to are needs to go to the toilet. The pubs were shut but I then remembered where I’d been last season – some workman’s social club near the ground. I remembered it had clean toilets and was open early. So we went there and that was that. Got chatting to some ‘boro fan who was not so optimistic about his teams chances saying they’d been rubbish in the last four games although he didn’t quite use the Queens English but everyone seemed to think a draw was on the cards that it except for Simo who quite cheerfully predicted an Middlesbrough win. The beer was nice and the people were very friendly. Strange though that the people literally queued up in a single file to get to the bar. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

About 13:30pm we went into the ground and got another pint. Before we knew it we were in our seats just behind the goal to the left in the second row. The teams came out and there were a few changes to the Plymouth Argyle game. No Osman who was injured and McFadden unfortunately dropped to accommodate Weir back into defence. Yobo doing Carsley’s job in defence with bent pushed out wide right and Beattie on his own up front. I was most surprised to discover Ferguson had made the bench to be honest.

Neither side started particularly well. Both looked comfortable but Middlesbrough seemed to have a good knack of hitting us on the counter attack. Everton’s best chance of the half came after simply marvellous work by bent gave Kilbane a ball. He crossed from deep and Carsely was sliding in at the back post. His volley fell unluckily onto the bar and over for a goal kick. A good chance.

Some nutter was sitting a few rows behind me and he would not shut up all game. Was funny for a while before it bordered on irritating. He was claiming Richard Wright to be England’s no. 1.

I wish he hadn’t because he certainly disproved that theory for their goal. It came from good work from Hasslebank who dissected Weir and Hibbert in defence and put a good ball through to Zenden. Wright came out a very long way unnecessarily and Zenden calmly chipped it over the top of him towards goal. Stubbs did his very best to hook it off the line and he very nearly did but the ball bounced down off the underside of the bar and agonisingly dropped into the corner. Stubbs seemed furious with himself and seemed to think he should have cleared it as he punched the net in anger but really the goal was Wright’s fault:

1, He shouldn’t have come out that far there was no immediate danger.
2, If he really felt he had to come out, he should have come out with some conviction and quickly. He literally toddled out there and then went down early. It was a good finish but Wright did make it easy for him.

Anyway that was that and the nutter behind me no longer believed he was England’s no. 1. Far from it in fact!
It could have gotten worse for Everton after that if not for some excellent last ditch challenges by are full backs Pistone and Hibbert. Hasslbank also had an effort not too far above the post and first half Middlesbrough were quite easily the better side. We did have another good chance however in the first half when Bent struck a half volley well. Schwarzer was equal to it.

The second half yielded no changes from either side but Everton were thankfully much better and more dominant in the second period. The midfield were getting forward much better and more frequently and causing ‘boro some problems. The final ball was nearly always lacking from Everton however.

There was a great chance for Stubbs who had a free header from a long free kick about six yards out. I don’t think he realised how much time he had but it was very easy for Schwarzer. Cahill also had a good headed opportunity but sent it well over and Hibbert had a left footed volley go high and wide. Kilbane also had a header goalwards from about 15 yards which was easily gathered by Schwarzer although any sort of touch from Beattie or Bent would have sent it in. At the other end Zenden’s shot went narrowly wide via a deflection and Wright grabbed at most things at the second attempt but did about enough.

Everton were desperately unlucky not to score midway through the second half when a routine cross from I think Kilbane was spilled by Schwarzer. Cahill and Beattie both went for it and I think Beattie made contact and the ball trickled goalwards only for it to agonizingly come back off the inside of the post. It was cleared out, Kilbane played it back in and Carsley’s drive was blocked and out for a corner. We were getting closer.

It was substitute Duncan Ferguson who made the difference. He replaced the rather poor Yobo as Moyes went for 4-4-2. He came on to a few boo’s from both sets of supporters. Middlesbrough for his Newcastle United days and I guess some Everton fans hadn’t forgiven him for his sending off at Charlton Athletic.

Well they soon did. He made an immediate impact. Thankfully the ref (the rather under-rated Dermot Gallagher) was a good one and let him play, let him jump, not blow up every time he leaves the floor and he won the flicks well. The first two he won didn’t make it through. The next one found Beattie. He made space down the right and played Bent. He held it up and dummied before playing it back to Hibbert who’d gotten forward in support. His cross found Ferguson completely unmarked at the back. He looked for all the world as if he was going to burry in but instead knocked it back to Cahill who I think volleyed it in. 1-1. We went wild. All the players were celebrating up by the half way line except for Bent who did a little dance in front of us. Could we win it?

Sadly not but we gave it a go. Middlesbrough were there for the taking to be honest and we probably could have won but a draw was fair. In the closing stages an Everton corner was caught and then spilled by Schwarzer. Ferguson went for the loose ball but Schwarzer recovered and held onto it. Ferguson must have caught him with his studs or something but I was right behind it and if he did it was completely unintentional. Cue what happens a lot – wind up Dunc and get him to do something stupid. Zenden and Cooper straight onto him and having a go. Every single player out of nowhere got involved and Cooper ended up in the back of the net. It was all pushing, a bit like a scrum really. By the time Ferguson was on his feet luckily there was about ten bodies between him and Zenden otherwise he’s probably have done something to warrant a red card like a headbutt, an elbow, a punch or even strangling him. Again, the ref was top draw though and just pulled Southgate and Stubbs over, told them to calm their respective teams down and get on with it. Ferguson unusually made a point of going up to Schwarzer to shake his hand and apologize so he probably did catch him, again unintentionally.

There was still time to win it and Everton had the chances to do it but wasted it. Ferguson turned and shot. It was going wide until Quedrue deflected very narrowly wide of the post. Close to being an own goal. Next there was a half hearted penalty claim when Bent’s cross struck Quedrue’s arm but it was unintentional. Would have been harsh. The best chance was when bent controlled in the box, bought it forward and miss-hit a very tame shot into Schwarzer’s arms. Good chance. There was also time for a heart in the mouth moment when Quedrue struck from about 35 yards. The ball bobbled and bounced awkwardly but slowly in front of Wright. Thank God he held onto it. That was pretty much it. A good result in the end and I’d have taken it before the game.

On the way back I found a fiver on the floor which is always a goodun. We got a beer and a bite to eat before getting the train back. Of course Simo didn’t have one so had to buy a single to Liverpool Lime Street. £34. He wasn’t happy with that as he’d now spent about £60 on train fairs just to watch Everton.
Asking a lot from a lad who is not really an Everton fan.

Player Ratings:
Wright: Bad error of judgement for the goal and didn’t have much else to do. Not looking good. 5
Pistone: Good link up play with Kilbane and did the job. Important interception in the first half. 6
Stubbs: Excellent performance from Stubbs. Probably in the form of his life. 8
Weir: Got turned a few times by Hasslebank and couldn’t believe he got muscled off the ball by Zended. Otherwise fine. 6
Hibbert: Good forward running. Finally a good ball in for the goal and a good interception in the first half. Did he impress Sven? 6
Yobo: Struggled and I don’t think he’s really suited to that position. Carsley is much better there and I think he should get there when Osman’s back. 5
Kilbane: My man of the match. Full of running, good crossing and intelligence. 8
Carsley: 100% as usual. Distribution from corners wasn’t up to much though. 6
Cahill: Busting a gut to get forward at every opportunity and deserved his goal. 7
Bent: Good performance by Bent who never gave up and showed bags of skill. Did well. 7
Beattie: Not match fit and struggled in first half. Got better though as game wore on and battled away well. 7

Subs:
Ferguson: Made an immediate impact and looked lively. 7
Naysmith: Replaced Cahill who seemed to do his finger in or something. Did alright but didn’t have long. 6
McFadden: Replaced Beattie and did Ok in the few minutes he had. 7

Lyndon Lloyd