Premier League - Cahill lifts Everton to win

Eurosport - Fri, 26 Dec 19:33:00 2008

Tim Cahill justified his role as makeshift striker by scoring the only goal of the game as David Moyes's patched-up Everton side beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at the Riverside.

2008-2009 Premier League Everton Joleon Lescott Tim Cahill Marouane Fellaini - 0

Moyes was forced to push Cahill into the role following injuries to front men Louis Saha, and Ayegbeni Yakubu, while half-fit Victor Anichebe took a seat on the bench.

The win means Everton keep up their pursuit of the teams at the top, while Gareth Southgate's side find themselves dragged deeper into the relegation dogfight.

Following the loss to Fulham, Southgate restored Mido to the front line, while Moyes handed Dan Gosling his debut.

Despite Everton's problems, they looked lively early on, but it was the Teesiders who came closest to taking the lead.

Tuncay Sanli was the recipient of a lacklustre Everton clearance just outside the box and Tim Howard had to be alert to push the Turkish international's shot away.

Julio Arca did have the ball in the net at the other end, but ref Mike Riley had already halted play for an infringement.

Everton's best move of the half saw Cahill set up Steven Pienaar. The South African had a good sight of Ross Turnbull's goal, only to crash his shot off Turnbull's post.

Blues' stopper Howard again had to be on his toes from Gary O'Neil before Mido's shot was blocked by Joleon Lescott.

Debutant Gosling rewarded Moyes' faith in him and the youngster looked a great prospect as he first forced Emanuel Pogatetz into a block and then flashed a shot just wide of the target to leave the scores level at the break.

However, Everton had to wait just four minutes after the restart before they took the lead.

As Mikel Arteta swung in a corner, Turnbull saved Cahill's initial effort, but the ball fell kindly to the Australian international who dug the ball out from under his feet to stab the ball home at the third attempt.

Southgate responded by sending on Afonso Alves and Adam Johnson, and Johnson almost had an immediate impact when he skipped past two Everton players into the area only to be sent tumbling by Arteta.

There was a heart-stopping moment for the Merseysiders as referee Riley raced into the box, but he decided the Spaniard's challenge was legal.

The visitors took renewed heart from the decision and Gosling almost embarrassed Turnbull when he nipped in front of the Boro stopper with a header, just failing to make the contact he needed.

As the final minutes ticked away, Turnbull launched a long free-kick into Everton territory. Alves won the tussle with Phil Jagielka but smashed his shot over the bar to the groans of the Boro faithful.

As the fans filed away, there was still time for Johnson to find third Boro sub, Marvin Emnes at the far post, only for the Dutchman to miskick horribly and Everton saw out the final minutes to record their fifth away win in six.

Ian Hare / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 18 of 18

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  1. another load of interesting comments from cameron W or­ is it cameron DIAZ !!!! or does the W stand for­ something else lol,lmfao

    From butchkins, on Sat 27 Dec 6:45PM

  2. 2nd win in 2 days cummin' up 2moz

    From AG1871, on Sat 27 Dec 4:58PM

  3. Well Done Everton , Boro are getting weaker and weaker­ at football.

    From Nath, on Sat 27 Dec 10:35AM

  4. Boro are always the same each season,but when Southgate­ was appointed,that was the biggest mistake of all. ­ Give him the push Gibson,and get a Manager who at least­ is tactically aware of what is going on around him.

    From Colin, on Fri 26 Dec 11:18PM

  5. tim cahill, tim cahill, tim cahill, tim cahill.....2­ million from Millwall B B B B Bargain of the­ century,,,,,COYB

    From Glyn D, on Fri 26 Dec 10:57PM

  6. haha id rather watch cricket than watch these 2 @#$%­ teams play.everton in EUROP£E ah haaa ha ha ha ha ha ha

    From sirkeithbrennan, on Fri 26 Dec 10:28PM

  7. Does the Chairman read any of the comments included in­ the internet articles. If he did he would conclude that­ a mistake was made at the end of last season in keeping­ Southgate. Tell me how can a manager be so inept and­ kept on fpr so long. For the last five weeks he has­ unsettled the team by saying who could be for sale and­ at what price.
    Any good manager would protect his­ players and his club , comment "none of my team­ are for sale" and any enquiry will be treated with­ contempt. The players are bound by legally enforcable­ contracts. There is no discussion and certainly­ confidentiality is paramount. This is a basic­ requirement, it is good instinct. Show me any other­ manager in the premiership who uses such tactics to­ hide their inadequacies. It is a disgrace that yet­ again as predicted Boro are in a relegation battle.

    From jlwebber, on Fri 26 Dec 10:16PM

  8. Yup so much for 'gibbo' gibson being a good­ chairman and standing by his man; a 'good'­ chairman would've ditched this loser long ago.­ Southgate is simply out of his depth, just look at his­ useless signings; 'the boro' for the drop IF­ they don't ditch southgate. Oh yes, there was a­ bigger crowd in League-One today, don't you lot­ feel even the slightest bit embarrassed - you ought to;­ two-bob supporters of a one-bob club with a tuppenny­ chairman and a ha'penny manager.
    Ha, ha, ha, oh­ laugh out loud at these losers or what.

    From cameron w, on Fri 26 Dec 9:02PM

  9. all this talk about downing been a great player if he­ went to a top 8 side he wouldnt make the bench.

    From Frank, on Fri 26 Dec 8:14PM

  10. I suppose Southgate will claim this is "another­ lesson to be learnt", he always does. Let's­ face it, he's a loser and only kept employed­ because Gibson thinks more of his reputation as a­ 'good' chairman than he thinks of the dwindling­ supporters who are served up this losers dross.

    From obdavies, on Fri 26 Dec 7:23PM

  11. sack the bloody lot of them typical boro same every­ year come out playing with hangovers!! then sulk when­ they get taken off! southgate has no bottle

    From chris h, on Fri 26 Dec 5:39PM

  12. Sack Turnbull

    From Michael, on Fri 26 Dec 5:31PM

  13. what a nice Christmas prezzie form the boys in blue to­ the fans , lets do it again on Sunday ,COYB

    From TERENCE E, on Fri 26 Dec 5:28PM

  14. Well done Everton! Best manager in premiership. Best­ team, despite under funding. Never give up until the­ final whistle...and they don't!! Sorted Chelsea­ out!! (And with a depleted side). Carry­ on......we'll get there.

    From davejl747, on Fri 26 Dec 5:26PM

  15. boro deserve what they get cos there crowd attendance­ is abysmal and a disgrace they should be in division­ one and lets hope they end up there if there fans cant­ be bothered to turn up and support them .they all turn­ up when they play the big boys dont they

    From dazmanutdtrble1999, on Fri 26 Dec 5:20PM

  16. David Moyes has got it right again .........come on you­ Blues on the way to europe again

    From Jack, on Fri 26 Dec 5:19PM

  17. Another great win for the blue boys! Well done lads..in­ moyes we trust.

    From David, on Fri 26 Dec 5:12PM

  18. Boro are in trouble.

    From davidfound, on Fri 26 Dec 5:12PM
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