Everton 3 Middlesbrough 1
Barry 24 Coleman 42 Stekelenburg (OG) 21
Lukaku 45
Boro received a harsh reality check at Goodison Park on Saturday
after they were convincingly beaten 3-1 by an in form Everton side.
Aitor Karanka admitted before the game that the Toffees
would be his side’s toughest test of the season, following games against Stoke,
Sunderland, West Brom and Crystal Palace, and so it turned out as Ronald Koeman’s
men coasted to their fourth victory in five league games.
 |
Romelu Lukaku celebrates Everton's third goal
(Picture from Sky Sports)
|
In truth it was always going to be a big ask for Boro return
to Teesside with a point, against a side which many are now tipping to challenge
for a European place.
The score line was no disgrace, especially after Everton’s
3-0 demolition of Sunderland five days earlier.
However, it was the manor of the defeat that may come as a
slight concern. In the second half Boro barely laid a glove on their opponents and
even appeared content to simply try and keep the score down after falling two
goals behind at half time.
It had all started so well too, but after a controversial
own goal from Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, when he appeared to be
fouled by Alvaro Negredo, there was only one team in it.
Gareth Barry fittingly marked his 600th Premier
League appearance with an abrupt equaliser before Seamus Coleman and Romelu
Lukaku provided the hosts with a buffer before the interval.
Like against Palace, Boro’s defending, which was their major
strength in Championship last campaign, could have been questioned for each
goals they conceded - though it should be remembered that this is the Premier
League where teams are far less forgiving.
Karanka made three changes from the side which was beaten by
Palace last time out. Marten De Roon replaced Adam Clayton in midfield while
Gaston Ramirez and Emilio Nsue also came in for Viktor Fischer and the injured Cristhian
Stuani.
After a quiet opening 20 minutes, in which there was only
one shot on target from Ross Barkley, Boro took a surprising lead.
Negredo only had eyes for the ball when he leaped to head
George Friend’s cross from the left. Even so, Stekelenburg appeared to catch
the ball before he was hit by the potent striker, and the ball ended up in the
net.
The sense of injustice seemed to ignite the hosts, who drew
level just three minutes after falling behind.
Kevin Mirallas’ corner was flicked on by Ashley Williams,
who could also have been penalised for a foul Boro keeper Victor Valdes, and
Barry swept the ball home.
Everton took control after that, as the exceptional Idrissa
Gueye ran the midfield. They went ahead three minutes before half time after
Coleman played a neat one-two with Lukaku before side-footing the ball past
Valdes inside the area.
Lukaku added his fourth goal in a week when his outstretched
right boot glanced Yannick Bolasie’s cross home for a third on the stroke of
half time.
Boro brought on Fischer and David Nugent in the second half
but had no response.
No comments:
Post a Comment