Toffees leave Boro supremo Southgate in a sticky position

GARETH SOUTHGATE really ought to have known better. After his programme notes provided chapter and verse on how Middlesbrough’s home form will be the key to their Premier League survival, the manager watched his anaemic side comprehensively dismantled by an Everton team with far more lofty ambitions.

While an uninspired first hour provided a compelling case for the merits of a mid-season break, and certainly the large number of empty seats suggested that home supporters had decided on a winter recess of their own, the visitors belatedly found reserves of energy to settle the contest with two goals in the space of six minutes midway through the second-half.

A single defeat in their last 10 road trips has helped Everton to fifth in the Premier League table, and once Andy Johnson had broken the deadlock with an angled drive on 67 minutes, David Moyes’ men looked in little danger of relinquishing the points.

A first league goal for five months from James McFadden, who continues to be linked with a January move to Birmingham City, embellished the result and allowed Everton to coast to victory in the final 15 minutes.

The Scot’s eighth goal of the season, confidently stroked past Mark Schwarzer from close range after a swift exchange of passes with Johnson, was tinged with sadness. McFadden was once a teammate former Motherwell of Phil O’Donnell, who died of heart failure playing for the SPL club at the weekend.

“James knew Phil, and so did I,” Moyes, the Everton manager, said. “Everybody in football has been shocked by Phil’s death and certainly at Everton we have. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Predictably, Moyes was keen to play down the top four credentials of his side three years after they qualified for the Champions League. He added: “They told us it was a fluke the last time we did it, so we’ll have to see if we can change that.

“The competition above’s very high and we’re not kidding ourselves on. Finishing in the top 10 this season might be a big job, let alone the top four.”

Everton could conceivably have been two goals down by the time Johnson swept a low shot past Schwarzer as Middlesbrough failed to deal with a cross from their former team-mate Yakubu.

They were indebted to goal-line clearances in each half, first from Phil Jagielka to deny Stewart Downing and then as Joleon Lescott thwarted Tuncay Sanli, keeper Tim Howard beating away Gary O’Neil’s rebound.

Middlesbrough have won just twice at home in the league this season, and their failure to string together any kind of form sees them remain in danger of relegation.

“There was nothing in it for the most part,” reflected Southgate, who hopes to have injured striker Mido back for the visit of Liverpool on Saturday week. “But as is the case with games at the end of the Christmas period, the first goal is so crucial as it gives whoever gets it such a lift.

“We weren’t at our best but I can’t fault the lads for what they’ve given me, some of them were out on their feet at the end. It’s frustrating because every time we take a step forward we then seem to get another door slammed in our face.

“The key over the next few months is the crowd staying with us and making this a place other teams fear. Without their support it’ll be very hard.”

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Young, Woodgate, Huth, Pogatetz; O’Neil (Johnson 73), Rochemback (Cattermole 84), Arca, Downing; Lee (Hutchinson 59), Sanli.

EVERTON (4-1-3-2): Howard; Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Valente; Carsley; Neville; Pienaar (Anichebe 90), McFadden (Baines 80); Yakubu (Vaughan 88), Johnson.

Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)