Sunday, November 06, 2005
Everton 1 Boro 0
Seven goals in two games and a run of three wins led to a wave of confidence before this match, but a little voice in the back of your mind told you this wasn't going to be that easy. Everton have also been experiencing a resurgence of form and would be hot for revenge following the 1-0 defeat in the Carling cup at Goodison recently. And so it proved - they were much tougher to break down than in that match and seemed to have luck on their side too.Boro started strongly and little deserved the setback of a James Beattie headed goal from a corner early on. Apart from that the away team dominated the first half, both in possession and chances, with Mendieta in creative mood again, and it looking for all the world like a mere matter of time before the goals rained in. Yakubu missed a blatant chance to equalise when rounding the keeper only for a soft tap to be recovered on it's way to the goalline. The second half was not so good and tiredness again showed it's ugly face as the clock ticked down - as the boss said a little "urgency" and "ruthlessness" were lacking, as an encounter with the woodwork for either side proved the nearest to any advance on the scoreline, Boro's from an ever hungry franck Queudrue with almost the last effort of the match.
Ultimately it leaves us short again in premiership terms and stranded in 13th position. Below Chelsea (who lost today for the first time in 13 months!) the table is very open from 2nd down and a few good wins would see us back up where we belong, but as it is before the international break it doesn't make inspiring reading and leaves the pressure very much on!
My MOTM: Mendieta a contender again, but I'll give it to Queudrue for his insatiable fight right up to the whistle.
