Middlesbrough against Everton

Huge claims for a penalty by Everton after Queudrue appeared to handle Bent's left-wing cross.

Cahill got injured during that last corner under a challenge from Schwarzer and is being rorced to leave the field of play, to be replaced by Naysmith.

And, from the resulting corner, Schwarzer again makes a hash of claiming the centre under pressure from Ferguson, but somehow Boro scramble the ball to safety.

Everton come inches away from taking the lead after Queudrue deflects Cahill's speculative shot from distance inches past his own post with Schwarzer rooted to his line.

A great opening for Downing at the back post, but having taken the ball down well and created space, the winger blazes his shot over the bar.

Referee Gallagher takes the sensible decison and simply calls together both skippers for a talking to, and does not book any players.

An almighty fight breaks out after Schwarzer drops Carsley's corner at the feet of Ferguson, who then goes for the loose ball and appears to catch the keeper, before virtually every player ends up in the net in the mother of all melees.

And the visitors have won themselves a left-wing corner, with Boro looking extremely nervous at present.

If there is one team who looks like they are going to go on and win this match, then it is Everton.

Zenden however very nearly gives his team the lead back with a low shot from distance that fizzes only just past Wright's near post. A close call.

GOAL! Everton deservedly draw level after an excellent move involving Beattie, Kilbane and Hibbert, whose pin-point centre to the back post is cleverly headed back across goal by Ferguson to Cahill and the midfielder has the simple task of drawing his side level.

This could be an interesting final 15 minutes.

And the big man makes an immediate impression by winning his first header to cause all sorts of confusion in the home defence, before Southgate just boots the ball clear.

Moyes makes his first change of the game, removing Yobo and bringing on Ferguson.

Boro appear to have got over that five-minute spell where Everton looked like they might score at any moment.

Free kick now to Boro following a late tackle on Job, who is infuriated by the challenge by Stubbs, but the Everton skipper is not booked for his troubles.

Long free kick from deep inside the Everton half which is met with an excellent towering header by Kilbane in the Boro area, but Schwarzer reads the situation well and gathers the ball.

Duncan Ferguson is currently warming up on the touchline and it cannot be long before the big striker is introduced into the action.

This has been a really excellent start to the second period by Everton, but they just cannot seem to score.

Boro break clear from Evertons corner and Stubbs needs to be alert to muscle Job off the ball otherwise the Cameroon international front man would have had a clear run on goal.

Beattie could not come much closer to scoring his first-ever Everton goal following a terrible mistake by Schwarzer, who comes to claim Kilbane's left-wing centre, but totally misses the ball, but the England internationals mishit shot rolls agonisingly against the post, before Southgate hacks the ball clear for a corner.

Cahill comes close to pulling Everton level after meeting Pistone's long ball into the area with an excellent header, but it is just too high.

Now back come Boro, with Hasselbaink picking up possession just outside the area, before unleashing a fierce low shot that Wright does well to stop.

Another half-chance for the Toffees following a good run down the right wing by Carsley, but his centre to the near post cannot quite pick out Beattie and Schwarzer gathers.

A late tackle by Queudrue on Carsley goes unpunished by Mr. Gallagher, much to the obvious annoyance of the Everton players.

Again Zenden comes close to scoring having been put through down the left-hand channel, but with players awaiting a centre in the middle, the Dutchman shoots powerfully at goal instead and Wright saves easily under his crossbar.

Substitution for Boro, who take off the ineffectual Nemeth and replacing him with local youngster Morrison.

Another vital interception by Boro skipper Southgate after a neat flick-on by Beattie, otherwise Bent would have been in for a shot on goal.

Half-chance for Everton, but unfortunately for the visitors, it falls to full-back Hibbert on the edge of the box and his shot is lashed high and wide of the target.

Not surprisingly, yet another poor corner is headed clear at the near post by Everton.

But, Downing's low effort hits the wall, before the ball breaks to that man Zenden, but his low drive is deflected inches past Wright's far post.

Yellow card to Beattie after he cynically trips Hasselbaink in full flow as the Dutchman made progress towards the Everton box.

A poor right-wing corner is easily cleared by Everton - the set pieces have been woeful this afternoon.

A surging run from full back by Reizeger results in the Dutchman making it all the way to the edge of the Everton box and his low shot is spilled for a corner by the nervous-looking Wright.

Free kick to Everton after a trip on Kilbane by Doriva, but from the resulting set piece, Everton give away possession.

More confusiuon in the home defence after a long cross to the back post by Kilbane, but Boro just about do enough to clear the danger.

There will no doubt come a point in this second half when Moyes must surely decide to move Bent up front alongside Beattie, if the score remains the same.

Everton have obviously had a few harsh words directed their way at the break by their manager as they have started with a lot of intent in this second period.

Doriva gives away a free kick in a central position, about 40 yards out, but Stubbs cannot get enough power on his header from the peanlty spot and Boro escape.

And Everton immediately win themselves an early left-wing corner, taken by Carsley, but well cleared by the Boro defence.

Everton get the second half under way, kicking from left to right.

And that is half-time at the Riverside, with Boro rather fortunate to be leading 1-0.

But, the corner is another poor one and is overhit to the back post where Boro easily clear their lines.

And Everton have won themselves a late right-wing corner after another great long ball from the back releases Bent, but his pull-back is turned away by Southgate, with Cahill waiting for a tap-in at the back post.

The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of time to be added on at the end of this first period.

Zenden has been the home sides best player during this first period and he is certainly enjoying his new role at present, having swapped the wing for the centre of the park.

Booking for Hibbert after the full back followed through late on Downing. He can have no complaints about that decision.

Schwarzer keeps his team ahead with an excellent near-post block to deny Bent, who has been the player of the half.

Boro almost make it 2-0 with a typical Hasselbaink blockbuster from distance that flies only just over the bar.

Everton claims for a penalty after a long ball over the top releases Bent, who gets to the ball just before the advancing Schwarzer, but having chipped the ball over the keeper, the striker stumbles and Southgate gets back to clear the danger - no penalty and a good decision by Mr. Gallagher.

But, the corner is disappointing and easily cleared at the near post by a towering Stubbs header.

Now Boro's turn to attack through Downing, who has space down the left flank, but the winger delays his centre with two Boro men waiting in the middle and Weir manages to deflect the ball out for a left-wing corner.

Everton create an opening for Cahill following an excellent passing move, but the Australia international wastefully overhits his centre straight out of play for a goal kick.

Free kick to the visitors in a dangerous position, out wide on the left, level with the penalty area, taken by Carsley, but overhit and it goes out for a goalkick.

Everton are certainly unfortunate to be trailing at this stage of the game, but there is still a long way to go.

Pistone delivers a deep left-wing centre to the back post, but Schwarzer does well to come and claim, before starting a Boro counter-attack with a quick throw.

Boro appear to have settled down a lot more now with the scoring of that goal.

And, Boro have only been beaten twice in the Premiership at home all season, and that was by Chelsea and Manchester United.

Boro have only beaten Everton on one of their last five meetings.

Boro have a second goal correctly disallowed by referee Gallagher after a push by Hasselbaink on Yobo, before Southgate's shot from outside the area beats Wright.

But, Hasselbaink's long-range piledriver is well blocked by the Everton defensive wall.

Everton are rattled at the moment, so much so that Beattie has just given away a free kick deep inside his own half.

Everton almost responed with an immediate equaliser after a devilish left-wing centre from Kilbane, but Schwarzer gathers the ball at the second attempt to relieve the pressure.

It was a great finish by Zenden, in off the bar, and a fantastic through-ball by Hasselbaink, but Moyes will not be happy about his keepers decision making.

Goal! Zenden gives Boro the lead after a mistake by Wright, who came rushing out to the edge of his area, but does not gather the ball, allowing the Dutchmna to brilliantly chip the home side into the lead.

This is an entertaining contest at present, with Boro coming back into proceedings.

And from the resulting free kick, a half-chance falls to Hasselbaink on the edge of the area, but the striker is just held up by Weir's covering tackle and the Dutchman is unable to get his shot away.

Free kick to Boro after a late tackle by Carsley on the rampaging Downing.

A surging solo run by Kilane comes to nothing however due to a lack of support, but Everton are dominating proceedings at the moment, much to the obvious displeasure of the Riverside faifthful.

A terrible miss by Carsley following sensational build-up play by Bent, before Kilbane's curling left-wing centre is volleyed over from the penalty spot by the unmarked holding midfielder.

A terrible cross-field pass by Doriva goes straight to Bent in an attacking area, but the forward is crowded out by covering Boro defenders.

That's a blow for the home side, especially with Riggott also injured at the moment.

Boro are being forced to make an early enforced change, taking off the injured Ehigou and replacing him with veteran centre back Cooper.

Again Downing shows great close control out on that left wing, but again his centre is plucked from the sky by the ever-alert Wright.

Back come Boro, who try to reply with a long-range Zenden shot that is blocked by a pile of Everton defenders.

Another half-chance for the visitors, created following an excellent dribble to the touchline by Bent, but his pull-back is intercepted at his near post by Schwarzer.

A brilliant left-wing centre by Kilbane is headed goalwards by new signing Beattie, but it lacks power and direction and Schwarzer comfortably gathers.

A fantastic long ball over the top by Weir is plucked out of the sky by Bent, who tries to win his team a throw-in, before Boro win back possession.

Hasselbaink does brilliantly to earn his team a left-wing corner, which almost results in the opening goal of the game, but Southgate's near-post header is fizzed just past the post.

But, the set piece is disappointing and easily cleared at the near post, before Yobo delivers a disappointing centre that goes straight out for a goal kick.

Everton have won themselves a right-wing corner after Southgate deflects away Carsley's dipping centre.

Reizeger wins his side a free kick just inside Everton's half having been tripped by a retreating Everton player.

Boro have actually lost three of their last four games, failing to score in three of those matches.

Zended is set up on the edge of the area by compatriot Hasselbaink, but his high, curling shot is easily claimed by Wright.

Everton are currently just four points behind Manchester United, with this game in hand.

And now Boro have won themselves an early right-wing corner, taken by Downing and well cleared at the near post by Pistone.

Great early run by Downing down Boro's left flank and his deep centre is well claimed by Wright.

Middlesborough kick off this Premiership match, kicking from left to right.

Boro boss Steve McClaren, with his side eight points adrift of Everton, recalls Gareth Southgate, Szilard Nemeth and Bolo Zenden, but is without Ray Parlour who is serving a one-match ban.

Following Thomas Gravesen's exit David Moyes is expected to play five across the middle - with Joseph Yobo, Lee Carsley and Tim Cahill comprising the centre trio and Kevin Kilbane and Marcus Bent on the wings behind the lone striker in James Beattie, who was makes his Premiership bow for the Toffees. David Weir and Tony Hibbert return to the defence.

Join us at 14.00 GMT for the battle of the Champions League challengers!

Boro appear to have got over that five-minute spell where Everton looked like they might score at any moment.

Free kick now to Boro following a late tackle on Job, who is infuriated by the challenge by Stubbs, but the Everton skipper is not booked for his troubles.

Long free kick from deep inside the Everton half which is met with an excellent towering header by Kilbane in the Boro area, but Schwarzer reads the situation well and gathers the ball.

Duncan Ferguson is currently warming up on the touchline and it cannot be long before the big striker is introduced into the action.

This has been a really excellent start to the second period by Everton, but they just cannot seem to score.

Boro break clear from Evertons corner and Stubbs needs to be alert to muscle Job off the ball otherwise the Cameroon international front man would have had a clear run on goal.

Beattie could not come much closer to scoring his first-ever Everton goal following a terrible mistake by Schwarzer, who comes to claim Kilbane's left-wing centre, but totally misses the ball, but the England internationals mishit shot rolls agonisingly against the post, before Southgate hacks the ball clear for a corner.

Cahill comes close to pulling Everton level after meeting Pistone's long ball into the area with an excellent header, but it is just too high.

Now back come Boro, with Hasselbaink picking up possession just outside the area, before unleashing a fierce low shot that Wright does well to stop.

Another half-chance for the Toffees following a good run down the right wing by Carsley, but his centre to the near post cannot quite pick out Beattie and Schwarzer gathers.

A late tackle by Queudrue on Carsley goes unpunished by Mr. Gallagher, much to the obvious annoyance of the Everton players.

Again Zenden comes close to scoring having been put through down the left-hand channel, but with players awaiting a centre in the middle, the Dutchman shoots powerfully at goal instead and Wright saves easily under his crossbar.

Substitution for Boro, who take off the ineffectual Nemeth and replacing him with local youngster Morrison.

Another vital interception by Boro skipper Southgate after a neat flick-on by Beattie, otherwise Bent would have been in for a shot on goal.

Half-chance for Everton, but unfortunately for the visitors, it falls to full-back Hibbert on the edge of the box and his shot is lashed high and wide of the target.

Not surprisingly, yet another poor corner is headed clear at the near post by Everton.

But, Downing's low effort hits the wall, before the ball breaks to that man Zenden, but his low drive is deflected inches past Wright's far post.

Yellow card to Beattie after he cynically trips Hasselbaink in full flow as the Dutchman made progress towards the Everton box.

A poor right-wing corner is easily cleared by Everton - the set pieces have been woeful this afternoon.

A surging run from full back by Reizeger results in the Dutchman making it all the way to the edge of the Everton box and his low shot is spilled for a corner by the nervous-looking Wright.

Free kick to Everton after a trip on Kilbane by Doriva, but from the resulting set piece, Everton give away possession.

More confusiuon in the home defence after a long cross to the back post by Kilbane, but Boro just about do enough to clear the danger.

There will no doubt come a point in this second half when Moyes must surely decide to move Bent up front alongside Beattie, if the score remains the same.

Everton have obviously had a few harsh words directed their way at the break by their manager as they have started with a lot of intent in this second period.

Doriva gives away a free kick in a central position, about 40 yards out, but Stubbs cannot get enough power on his header from the peanlty spot and Boro escape.

And Everton immediately win themselves an early left-wing corner, taken by Carsley, but well cleared by the Boro defence.

Everton get the second half under way, kicking from left to right.

And that is half-time at the Riverside, with Boro rather fortunate to be leading 1-0.

But, the corner is another poor one and is overhit to the back post where Boro easily clear their lines.

And Everton have won themselves a late right-wing corner after another great long ball from the back releases Bent, but his pull-back is turned away by Southgate, with Cahill waiting for a tap-in at the back post.

The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of time to be added on at the end of this first period.

Zenden has been the home sides best player during this first period and he is certainly enjoying his new role at present, having swapped the wing for the centre of the park.

Booking for Hibbert after the full back followed through late on Downing. He can have no complaints about that decision.

Schwarzer keeps his team ahead with an excellent near-post block to deny Bent, who has been the player of the half.

Boro almost make it 2-0 with a typical Hasselbaink blockbuster from distance that flies only just over the bar.

Everton claims for a penalty after a long ball over the top releases Bent, who gets to the ball just before the advancing Schwarzer, but having chipped the ball over the keeper, the striker stumbles and Southgate gets back to clear the danger - no penalty and a good decision by Mr. Gallagher.

But, the corner is disappointing and easily cleared at the near post by a towering Stubbs header.

Now Boro's turn to attack through Downing, who has space down the left flank, but the winger delays his centre with two Boro men waiting in the middle and Weir manages to deflect the ball out for a left-wing corner.

Everton create an opening for Cahill following an excellent passing move, but the Australia international wastefully overhits his centre straight out of play for a goal kick.

Free kick to the visitors in a dangerous position, out wide on the left, level with the penalty area, taken by Carsley, but overhit and it goes out for a goalkick.

Everton are certainly unfortunate to be trailing at this stage of the game, but there is still a long way to go.

Pistone delivers a deep left-wing centre to the back post, but Schwarzer does well to come and claim, before starting a Boro counter-attack with a quick throw.

Boro appear to have settled down a lot more now with the scoring of that goal.

And, Boro have only been beaten twice in the Premiership at home all season, and that was by Chelsea and Manchester United.

Boro have only beaten Everton on one of their last five meetings.

Boro have a second goal correctly disallowed by referee Gallagher after a push by Hasselbaink on Yobo, before Southgate's shot from outside the area beats Wright.

But, Hasselbaink's long-range piledriver is well blocked by the Everton defensive wall.

Everton are rattled at the moment, so much so that Beattie has just given away a free kick deep inside his own half.

Everton almost responed with an immediate equaliser after a devilish left-wing centre from Kilbane, but Schwarzer gathers the ball at the second attempt to relieve the pressure.

It was a great finish by Zenden, in off the bar, and a fantastic through-ball by Hasselbaink, but Moyes will not be happy about his keepers decision making.

Goal! Zenden gives Boro the lead after a mistake by Wright, who came rushing out to the edge of his area, but does not gather the ball, allowing the Dutchmna to brilliantly chip the home side into the lead.

This is an entertaining contest at present, with Boro coming back into proceedings.

And from the resulting free kick, a half-chance falls to Hasselbaink on the edge of the area, but the striker is just held up by Weir's covering tackle and the Dutchman is unable to get his shot away.

Free kick to Boro after a late tackle by Carsley on the rampaging Downing.

A surging solo run by Kilane comes to nothing however due to a lack of support, but Everton are dominating proceedings at the moment, much to the obvious displeasure of the Riverside faifthful.

A terrible miss by Carsley following sensational build-up play by Bent, before Kilbane's curling left-wing centre is volleyed over from the penalty spot by the unmarked holding midfielder.

A terrible cross-field pass by Doriva goes straight to Bent in an attacking area, but the forward is crowded out by covering Boro defenders.

That's a blow for the home side, especially with Riggott also injured at the moment.

Boro are being forced to make an early enforced change, taking off the injured Ehigou and replacing him with veteran centre back Cooper.

Again Downing shows great close control out on that left wing, but again his centre is plucked from the sky by the ever-alert Wright.

Back come Boro, who try to reply with a long-range Zenden shot that is blocked by a pile of Everton defenders.

Another half-chance for the visitors, created following an excellent dribble to the touchline by Bent, but his pull-back is intercepted at his near post by Schwarzer.

A brilliant left-wing centre by Kilbane is headed goalwards by new signing Beattie, but it lacks power and direction and Schwarzer comfortably gathers.

A fantastic long ball over the top by Weir is plucked out of the sky by Bent, who tries to win his team a throw-in, before Boro win back possession.

Hasselbaink does brilliantly to earn his team a left-wing corner, which almost results in the opening goal of the game, but Southgate's near-post header is fizzed just past the post.

But, the set piece is disappointing and easily cleared at the near post, before Yobo delivers a disappointing centre that goes straight out for a goal kick.

Everton have won themselves a right-wing corner after Southgate deflects away Carsley's dipping centre.

Reizeger wins his side a free kick just inside Everton's half having been tripped by a retreating Everton player.

Boro have actually lost three of their last four games, failing to score in three of those matches.

Zended is set up on the edge of the area by compatriot Hasselbaink, but his high, curling shot is easily claimed by Wright.

Everton are currently just four points behind Manchester United, with this game in hand.

And now Boro have won themselves an early right-wing corner, taken by Downing and well cleared at the near post by Pistone.

Great early run by Downing down Boro's left flank and his deep centre is well claimed by Wright.

Middlesborough kick off this Premiership match, kicking from left to right.

Boro boss Steve McClaren, with his side eight points adrift of Everton, recalls Gareth Southgate, Szilard Nemeth and Bolo Zenden, but is without Ray Parlour who is serving a one-match ban.

Following Thomas Gravesen's exit David Moyes is expected to play five across the middle - with Joseph Yobo, Lee Carsley and Tim Cahill comprising the centre trio and Kevin Kilbane and Marcus Bent on the wings behind the lone striker in James Beattie, who was makes his Premiership bow for the Toffees. David Weir and Tony Hibbert return to the defence.

Join us at 14.00 GMT for the battle of the Champions League challengers!