CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Everton v Middlesbrough 14/09/96 3.00

Everton                 (1) 1 Middlesbrough           (0) 2 FT
Short 8                       Barmby 61
                              Juninho 81

Everton crashed to their third successive defeat as fine goals from Nick Barmby and Juninho cancelled out Craig Short's header to give in-form Middlesbrough another victory.

The Merseysiders' season, which had started so brightly against Championship favourites Newcastle and Manchester United, was facing crisis after just six games, while Bryan Robson's assembly of international superstars bathed in the glory of their third win in a row.

Everton went ahead after just seven minutes through central defender Short.

Middlesbrough keeper Alan Miller had punched Andy Hinchcliffe's wickedly in-swinging free kick clear under pressure, but Joe Parkinson fed it back out to the England wing back, whose cross was nodded home by Short at the far post.

But Barmby showed all his England international promise as he latched on to Middlesbrough skipper Derek Whyte's through ball to chip over keeper Neville Southall and into the net for the equaliser after 61 minutes, with Everton's defenders waiting in vain for an offside flag.

Formidable Duncan Ferguson almost restored Everton's advantage after Andrei Kanchelskis arrowed an accurate centre on to his forehead six yards out, but Miller tipped over brilliantly.

Then, with nine minutes remaining Middlesbrough's Neil Cox found Barmby, who set up Brazilian midfielder Juninho for a sweetly struck volley that flew just inside the far post.

In the first half Everton tormented Middlesbrough with their aerial threat from a string of crosses and Hinchcliffe's corners. Everton skipper David Unsworth twice headed over, while Ferguson just missed with another header as Everton surged powerfully forward.

Middlesbrough showed little as an attacking force, but their was a warning of what was to follow after the break in the 28th minute when Ravanelli set up Juninho for a low shot that Southall blocked well with his legs.

In the second half Everton continued to press forward, but Middlesbrough were getting wise to their opponents' high ball tactics and growing force on the break.

In one delicious moment of skill, Juninho took the ball through Gary Speed's legs and flicked it past John Ebbrell only for his near post cross to bounce off the in-rushing Barmby and wide.

Kanchelskis saw a dipping drive just clear the bar in the first minute of the second half and Hinchcliffe's low shot on the hour narrowly cleared the far post.

But Middlesbrough's play showed for more imagination, and saw them running out worthy winners of a match that will once again send worried Everton boss Joe Royal back to the drawing board.