Everton 1 Middlesbrough 0

Last updated : 19 September 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Everton won a war of midfield attrition and a valuable three points as two of the Premiership's form teams went head to head at Goodison Park.

Despite Middlesbrough's midweek European fervour suggesting they would claim an historic fifth straight league victory, a dogged Everton display denied them of that record-breaking feat.

This season's Toffees are hard to break down and with Thomas Gravesen and Lee Carsley in the middle of the park they spoiled and frustrated Boro's legion of foreign stars.

The Blues set their stall out early, with a packed midfield and only the pacy Marcus Bent up front, while Boro looked tired and unimaginative.

Early on both teams struggled to put together a significant passing move and the only entertainment was provided by colourful exchanges from the two sets of fans.

But as Gravesen began to assert his grip on the game, the Dane's deep cross found Kevin Kilbane on 12 minutes, but his powerful header was brilliantly saved by a diving Mark Schwarzer.

The lively Leon Osman combined with Steve Watson and Tony Hibbert minutes later to stretch the Boro defence once more.

For all their lethargy, Middlesbrough did create several decent chances. Szilard Nemeth hit a right-footed volley right at Nigel Martyn after Boudewijn Zenden played him through and the Dutchman himself flashed a left-footed snapshot just over the bar minutes afterwards.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Franck Queudrue and Zenden all fired promising free-kicks into the wall or wide.

Tempers rose over a petulant first half when Kilbane's raised elbows resulted in a 21-man scuffle and a booking for both him and George Boateng.

When order was restored it was Everton who took the initiative on 43 minutes.

Bent had the first of several chances as a long ball over the top exposed tired legs of a strangely out of sorts Gareth Southgate.

The former Ipswich striker hooked a volley to Schwarzer's left, but the Aussie pulled off a second great save to ensure the Teessiders went in level at half-time.

In the second half Steve McClaren's troops could not muster a dangerous chance and the previously unstoppable Viduka and Hasselbaink were kept largely quiet.

Two minutes in, another Boro attack was broken up on the edge of the Everton box. Osman played another ball over the top and Bent steamed past Southgate to trickle a right-foot shot past Schwarzer.

From then on Everton were in control and despite the introduction of Joseph-Desire Job and Stewart Downing, Boro had no answer to a tough Toffees defence.

With minutes left James McFadden missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 as Schwarzer superb save denied the Scot.

In a final flurry Ray Parlour went close for the visitors and Chris Riggott nodded a tame header into the arms of a grateful Martyn.

It was not pretty, but Everton's best start to a season in 27 years was applauded with a great cheer at the final whistle.