Toffees sink Boro to seal place in last four
Despite a host of injuries, the Toffees are unbeaten in their last seven games
Also In The News
|
The United States will emerge "stronger and more prosperous" than ever before, Barack Obama has insisted in a rallying call against the deepening economic gloom. |  |
Sunday, 08, Mar 2009 08:51
Everton came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 and seal their place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Goodison Park.
The Toffees trailed at the break through David Wheater's header but fought back with goals from Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha.
And David Moyes' men will be confident of continuing their fine season in the last four after improving on their below-par first-half display.
In a lively opening, Jeremie Aliadiere blazed over from ten yards for Boro while Matthew Bates' last ditch block denied Tim Cahill. The visitors continued to look a threat at set pieces with Bates heading agonisingly over following a corner.
After a scrappy period the game livened up towards the end of the half with keeper Brad Jones tipping Marouane Fellaini's header around the post.
On the stroke of half-time, Gareth Southgate's men broke the deadlock when Wheater headed in Bates' cross with keeper Tim Howard unable to claw the ball clear before it crossed the line.
Boro will rue their failure to go 2-0 up at the start of the second period when Aliadiere shot straight at Joleon Lescott when unmarked at the far post.
Because two minutes later, the Toffees levelled when Fellaini connected with Cahill's cross to thunder a header past Jones on 50 minutes.
Substitute Saha went close to putting Everton ahead immediately after but his goal-bound volley was blocked by Bates. But the Frenchman did find himself on the scoresheet on 56 minutes with a header from close range after Stephen Pienaar's cross.
David Moyes' men continued their onslaught with Leighton Baines' free-kick rattling the crossbar with keeper Jones stranded while Saha's shot was deflected wide.
Boro produced a late flurry with Howard spilling a routine free-kick, but they were unable to snatch an equaliser to pile the pressure on the beleaguered Southgate.