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Yakubu haunts Boro to salvage draw

16/11/2008

Yakubu netted against his former club to give Everton a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Goodison Park.

The Nigerian striker headed in midway the second half after Gary O'Neill had scored for Boro early on.

The draw leaves the Toffees, who are unbeaten in their past four games, in seventh place while Boro are up to eighth spot.

It was Gareth Southgate's men who made the better start with Tuncay Sanli going close with a 30-yard piledriver.

And they grabbed the lead on ten minutes when Stewart Downing's crossfield pass found O'Neill who slotted his shot into the corner.

That sparked a frenetic period of play with both sides squandering chances to score. Yakubu's low shot was saved by Ross Turnbull while Joleon Lescott's looping cross hit the post.

At the other end, Didier Digard lashed a shot inches wide while Downing blazed over from close range.

But the home side dominated with Yakubu's penalty appeals turned down by referee Howard Webb when he was tripped by Turnbull, while the striker and midfielder Tim Cahill both wasted gilt-edged chances.

David Moyes' men continued to carve out golden opportunities at the start of the second half with Leon Osman's snapshot parried by Turnbull while Louis Saha's goal-bound effort was blocked.

But they finally broke the deadlock on 65 minutes when Yakubu diverted Mikel Arteta's free-kick past Turnbull.

Boro came agonisingly close to an immediate equaliser when Digard's curling effort was pushed onto the post by Howard.

The visitors went close to snatching a late winner when Tuncay was inches away from connecting with Downing's cross, but Everton held on to continue their good form.