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Boro manager Steve McClaren sprung a New Year surprise by including Gianluca Festa in place of Ugo Ehiogu who limped off at Highbury on Saturday. Festa was starting a game for the first time since April.
Alen Boksic had recovered from the flu, which kept him out of the trip to Arsenal, but he had to make do with a place on the bench. Hamilton Ricard and Noel Whelan continued up front.
Everton started the brighter and won a corner in the opening minutes.
Boro replied through Jonathan Greening but the youngster delayed his shot and the danger was cleared. Hamilton Ricard then won a corner which came to nothing.
The first real chance came Everton’s way when an Alan Stubbs header was saved by Mark Crossley.
The Boro keeper needed treatment shortly afterwards when he raced from his area to intercept a ball meant for Danny Cadamateri, as the he headed the ball clear the players collided accidentally, Crossley coming off the worse, he needed several minutes treatment before he continued.
Crossley continued to be the busier keeper as Everton pushed on impressively with big Duncan Ferguson being involved in most moves. Niclas Alexandersson had a shot tipped behind and Ferguson himself had a header saved on the line.
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Close to half time Everton hit the woodwork, a poor clearance by Festa was picked up by Fergusson on the left and he hit a thunderous volley past Crossley, fortunately it rattled the cross-bar.
Boro had the last say in the half when Franck Queudrue curled a right foot shot past Steve Simonsen’s left hand post, although the keeper looked to have it covered.
Everton will have been disappointed to go in all-square after their dominance.
Steve McClaren changed the way Boro were playing by replaced Greening at half time with Jason Gavin. It meant Boro could play three at the back and string five across the midfield.
The difference was practically immediate as Boro took the lead within five minutes of the restart. Festa connected with a Marinelli corner and almost broke the net with a powerful volley from about 8 yards, 1-0 Boro.
The extra man in midfield made all the difference as Boro continued to press Everton back for long spells
McClaren introduced Phil Stamp, in place of Queudrue, who had taken a knock early in the half. The Berwick Hill’s lad warmed the crowd with a tremendous run down the left, but he ran the ball out as he tried to cross.
Alen Boksic replaced Marinelli for the last ten minutes as Boro tried in vain to wrap the points up. Hamilton Ricard came close after a great move with Robbie Stockdale down the right. His shot almost crept in at Simensen’s near post but the keeper just got his fingertips to it.
This was just the tonic Boro needed as we start the New Year and it left Everton rueing their missed chances in the first half, they have now gone one better than Boro and lost five on the trot.
It was Boro's first New Years Day win since two Brian Clough golas helped Boro to a 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at Ayresome Park, lets hope the next one isn't another 43 years!
A welcome break next week with the FA Cup, although Boro have a tricky looking game at Wimbledon. Lets hope that there is a result one way or the other, so that we don't get into any unwanted replays so early in the New Year, the last thing we need at this moment in time is distractions from the real task ahead, Premiership survival.