Second-half strikes clinch victory for rampant Toffees

13 April 2012

James McFadden put all thoughts of his new contract talks to the back of his mind as he paid tribute to his friend, former Motherwell midfielder Phil O'Donnell.

The Everton striker sealed an impressive win at Middlesbrough with his side's second goal.

Stalemate: Lee Carsley stops Luke Young getting a cross in

And as he raced over to the jubilant travelling fans to celebrate his first Barclays Premier League goal since the second game of the season in August, McFadden, once of Motherwell, pulled at the black armband on his left sleeve in a clear tribute to O'Donnell, who died tragically at the weekend.

When McFadden was left alone by his team-mates, he kissed the black tape and pointed to the heavens.

He admitted he was in tears when he departed to an ovation from travelling supporters. The Scotland international said: "I had a feeling I was going to get a goal. I decided that if I did, I was going to dedicate it to Phil. In the end it was the right thing to do because I haven't been able to see any of his family yet. I've passed on my regards to them but I felt that this was the way I wanted to pay my respects to him. I'll see them all as soon as possible.

"I shed a tear when I came off. It was such an emotional occasion, with a silent tribute that turned into applause before the game.

"It has been so shocking. It's difficult to get your head around that he's dead, and you can't imagine what his family are going through. He was a great player and one of the nice guys of football.

"It's a tragedy. He had lots of energy and regularly scored goals from midfield. I was a Celtic fan growing up and it was great when he signed for them from Motherwell. You knew you'd get goals from him. In every game he played he'd be committed and try his hardest. He was such a nice guy."

Everton boss David Moyes said McFadden, only recalled in the absence of Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta, had been particularly badly hit by O'Donnell's death.

Moyes said: "James played for Motherwell and he knew Phil well, as I did and as Alan Stubbs did. 'Everyone in football was shocked by what happened, and we certainly have been at Everton. Our thoughts are with his family. It touches you even more as a family man."

Middlesbrough supporters may have shown their displeasure at returning former hero Aiyegbeni Yakubu, but Gareth Southgate's inability to find a replacement for the striker sold for £11million to Everton was again exposed as Boro suffered their fifth home defeat of the season in a mundane encounter.

Arm's length: Gary O'Neil can't stop James McFadden getting a pass in

While Mido and Jeremie Aliadiere continued to rest their weary legs in the main stand. Southgate had to turn to Tuncay Sanli and Dong-Gook Lee to keep Middlesbrough's miserable season alive.

Turkey striker Tuncay may have scored three goals in the last five games but he is still finding his feet in the Barclays Premier League, never mind on a sodden Riverside pitch.

Dong-Gook Lee struggles on any surface and yesterday was another forgettable failure for the South Korea international, who was replaced by youngster Ben Hutchinson before the hour.

Southgate is hoping for additions this month, but he warned: "I've no idea how important the transfer window will be. Our attitude is to stay positive. We can't influence things beyond our control and I've stopped the players from talking about possible new signings."

Southgate cannot, of course, control the Middlesbrough supporters' chanting — he cannot even fill the stadium at present — but if he could have urged some caution from the dugout, it would have been to cease the taunting of Yakubu.

For most of the time the Nigeria international was expertly marked by Robert Huth and Jonathan Woodgate, two powerful centre backs whose fitness will be crucial to the Boro manager in the months ahead.

But the striker did escape their attentions for one brief moment in the second half, and it was enough to create the opening goal.

Yakubu dropped deep to recover a loose ball and orchestrated the move that took Steven Pienaar and then Andrew Johnson into the Middlesbrough area, before Johnson skipped past Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz and drilled a right-foot shot across Mark Schwarzer's goal.

McFadden repeated the feat five minutes later, capitalising on Stewart Downing's dreadful pass to Fabio Rochemback, before playing a one-two with Johnson and driving his low shot into the same part of the net.

According to Moyes, the turning point in the game came in the 30th minute when Joleon Lescott saved Downing's shot on the line, making an instinctive stop after Howard had misread Luke Young's cross to the far post.

It was a rare moment of activity in the Everton area although the American goalkeeper was at full stretch to keep out a Gary O'Neil shot after a positive run from Tuncay opened up the visitors' defence, although the Turk thought Tony Hibbert's challenge warranted a penalty.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer 5; Young 5, Woodgate 6, Huth 4, Pogatetz 5; O'Neil 5 (Adam Johnson 73min, 6), Rochemback 4 (Cattermole 84), Arca 7, Downing 6; Tuncay 6, Dong-Gook Lee 3 (Hutchinson 59, 5).

EVERTON (4-4-2): Howard 6; Hibbert 7, Jagielka 6, Lescott 7, Valente 6; McFadden 8 (Baines 80), Neville 6, Carsley 8, Pienaar 6 (Anichebe 90); Andrew Johnson 8, Yakubu 6 (Vaughan 87). Booked: Carsley.

Man of the match: James McFadden.

Referee: Mike Riley.

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