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Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton
Match Reports, 16:59, December 26, 2008 ,
Makeshift striker Tim Cahill grabbed the only goal of the game as Everton dominated Middlesbrough on their way to a regulation 1-0 win.
Everton dominated the opening period from start to finish with Steven Pienaar proving to be a thorn in the side of the entire Middlesbrough defence, but in particular Tony McMahon who could not handle the diminuitive winger.
Former Borussia Dortmund and Ajax winger Pienaar bundled the ball into the net in the opening ten minutes after a Mikel Arteta corner caused panic in the penalty area only to see that referee Mike Riley had already blown for a free-kick after Phil Jagielka had impeded Ross Turnbull. The South African threatened again just after the half hour mark as Tim Cahill chested another Arteta free-kick down towards the penalty spot and Pienaar hit a venomous half-volley that clattered away off the outside of the post.
It really came as no surprise that Everton eventually managed to take the lead just six minutes after the restart as a result of another superb Arteta corner caused problems for the Boro defence. The former Barcelona and Rangers creator curled the ball into the area where Cahill rose highest and, although his initial header was saved by Turnbull, the Australian pounced on the rebound to bundle it over the line.
Middlesbrough only became a threat after the introduction of Adam Johnson with 20 minutes to go and the England Under-21 international, who has been linked with Real Madrid lately, gave Leighton Baines the run around in the closing stages. Unfortunately for Gareth Southgate, Johnson's fellow substitute Afonso Alves was not in clinical mood in the 74th minute when found by Johnson as he allowed Phil Jagielka time to get across and make a vital block.