EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB - News Archive

Everton 2-1 Middlesbrough

Two goals from Kevin Campbell gave Everton a valuable 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at Goodison Park in the Premiership. David Moyes recalled Alan Stubbs to the starting line-up and, for the first time at home this season, The Toffees played a 4-4-2 formation, with Campbell partnering Tomasz Radzinski in attack.

Middlesbrough took the lead after just ten minutes though, when Massimo Maccarone burst through and forced Paul Gerrard to save, only for Szilard Nemeth to poke the loose ball into the net. The £8million Italian broke through again on 31 but Gerrard on this occasion made an excellent brave block – one of a handful of fine saves in an splendid display by the man who was the club’s third choice keeper just a matter of weeks ago.

The leveller came just 60 seconds later. Mark Pembridge curled a delicious cross to the backpost, Niclas Alexandersson headed the ball across goal, Radzinski headed it against the post and Campbell rolled home the rebound. It was end-to-end stuff as the half drew to a frantic conclusion with Alexandersson curling an effort narrowly wide at one end, and Nemeth forcing another great save from Gerrard at the other.

Wayne Rooney was introduced after the break, with Alexandersson a touch unlucky to be sacrificed as Everton changed attacking emphasis. Radzinski’s snapshot was collected by Schwarzer as Everton pressed forward and began to control the play, but ‘Boro showed that they were no spent force when a low shot from Maccarone hit the post.

Rooney curled a 20-yard free-kick just over the bar, but the goal Everton deserved finally came in the 76th minute. Gravesen swung over a corner from the left and Campbell climbed highest in a packed penalty area to plant a firm header into the corner of the net.

This was a thoroughly well-earned victory for Everton and pushes the side into the top half of the Premiership table.