Everton, Boro level at interval

Everton 1, Middlesbrough 1 (half-time)

Outplayed and out-run for long periods, Everton were clinging on to parity at Goodison Park thanks to a Kevin Campbell equaliser.

Beforehand, Boro’ had produced a string of chances and Szilard Nemeth had tapped them ahead after Massimo Maccaroni had again run Everton ragged.

Middlesbrough’s response was a stinging 25-yarder from Job that Gerrard superbly turned round a post at full stretch after 36 minutes. Before the corner, Stubbs was booked for dissent, a sign of more frustration at being turned inside-out so often than any obvious grievance.

Everton, if struggling for possession, were tenacious and brave and kept going. It produced a blocked shot from Pembridge that fell to Alexandersson, the Swede’s shot just clearing the far post.

Everton were now no longer sitting back and running for their 18-yard line at every opportunity and it made Boro’ think and work. Maccarone got away from Tony Hibbert yet again, running onto a Nemeth flicked header, and again his shot skimmed a post.

In first half injury-time, Job’s cross found Nemeth running free in the box, and his instant volley was brilliantly blocked by Gerrard.