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Match Summary Ferguson has a groin injury, allowing the dynamic pairing of Rooney and Radzinski to link up front, while Stubbs takes the armband. Kevin Kilbane returns for the disappointing McFadden, who continues to struggle with football at Premiership level. Naysmith is in the defence at left-back despite a niggling groin strain that will likely need surgery at the end of the season, and has seen him withdrawn from the Scotland squad. Some nervy stuff early on nearly caught Everton out after 5 mins when a long ball reached Job who tested Martyn with his shot. And a minute later he did the same again! It was 15 mins before Rooney and Radzinski combined for Everton's first chance, a promising shot that hit the side netting. Rooney was making more and more of an impression on the game, breaking well past Southgate and lay off a great ball for Watson. As the half developed, Everton got more and more of the action, but were not getting enough players into the Boro area to make it tell. Rooney had another great run through the Boro defence, a great shot, fractionally wide. Naysmith delivered a nice free kick in that Stubbs headed point-blank at Schwarzer... a glorious chance! More pressure with a corner from Gravesen that was perfect for Rooney but bounced away from the goal. Another good attack followed with Everton pressing hard for the first goal as Rooney' shot was touched over for another corner. Still no first-half Everton goal this year! David Unsworth appeared for the second-half in place of Stubbs (injured?), making his 300th appearance for Everton, and taking the captain's armband. Another promising chance for Rooney followed after some great build-up but still no score. The second half was less lively, although Everton continued to plug away. Moyes was finally moving to bring Jeffers on as he game seemed to be drifting relentlessly to a 0-0 draw � something missing from this fixture in 70 years � when Radzinski did the business, running in to drive the ball low under Schwarzer and breaking the deadlock. Unsworth was then forced to head off the line and save Everton but it was to no avail as the equalizer was forced in from a short corner after an almighty scramble, with Job claiming it off a ricochet (although it would eventually be awarded to Yobo as an own-goal � it came off his knee last). Maddening! It finally spurred action from Moyes, Jeffers coming on for Watson with barely 5 mins to make an impression on this game. Rooney picked up an injury but stayed on the field. A great little flick from Jeffers set up Radzinski for his second goal only to see Schwarzer react superbly to snap up the ball. Stoppage time and Rooney was blocked on the Dee, giving Everton one final chance from a perfect dead-ball opportunity. But Rooney's shot was high and wide: why can't we ever score from those chances? Positives? Not many. Five-game unbeaten run: best sequence for FOURTEEN MONTHS! Is that good or bad?
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| Match Facts | |||||
| Everton (4-4-2) Blue shirts, white shorts, blue socks |
Middlesbrough (4-4-2) Red shirts, red shorts, red socks |
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Leicester City (A)
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