Everton's work-rate earns a deserved win against a Boro side who threatened but never delivered.

Boro almost nick an equaliser as Franck Queudrue's header from a late corner hits the bar.

Nervy moments for Nigel Martyn as the Blues keeper is called in to action to deny Guidoni Junior Doriva's volley from 20 yards.

The home side look dangerous as Boro leave gaps at the back, and Mark Schwarzer has to be alert to deal with Tim Cahill's 25 yarder.

After a bright spell moments ago, Boro have not maintained it and have not tested Nigel Martyn enough throughout.

Ugo Ehiogu replaced by Guidoni Junior Doriva for Boro.

James Beattie is within inches of wrapping up proceedings, hitting the bar with a right-foot thunderbolt from 6 yards.

Duncan Ferguson is replaced by Marcus Bent in the home attack.

Change by Boro as Fabio Rochemback is replaced by James Morrison.

Mikel Amatriain Arteta bids to keep Everton ticking along, but his corner his cleared (albeit unconvincingly) by Mark Schwarzer.

Nerves are becoming noticeable in the home side's play as Boro look to reward their own pressure and possession.

Andy van der Meyde is replaced by James McFadden for Everton.

Andy van der Meyde enters the book for a foul on Stuart Parnaby.

More Boro pressure forces Nigel Martyn in to action deny Fabio Rochemback from the edge of the area.

The visitors are showing signs of coming back in to the game after upping the pace and see George Boateng fire over from 25 yards.

Phil Neville is cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

Boro break through Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and the Dutchman flashes a shot just wide.

Everton continue to provide the greater threat, as Boro struggle to settle in to their patient probing.

Change by David Moyes, with Simon Davies replaced by Kevin Kilbane.

Steve McClaren makes a change, with Yakubu A yegbeni replaced by Mark Viduka.

Good pressure by the home side forces a corner and Mikel Amatriain Arteta's centre finds the head of Duncan Ferguson, but the Scot finds Mark Schwarzer in comfortable form.

It has been a stop-start affair since the break as niggly fouls creep increasingly in to the game.

Mikel Amatriain Arteta's resultant free-kick finds James Beattie in the area, but his volley is directed over the bar.

As predicted, the first caution isn't too long in coming as Fabio Rochemback enters the book for a clumsy challenge on Tony Hibbert.

The action resumes at Goodison.

The Toffees take a deserved lead in to the break on chances against a Boro side enjoying plenty of possession but lacking in the final third.

Boro look to finish the stronger, but yet again Nigel Martyn is hardly troubled as Gaizka Mendieta lets fly from 25 yards.

The action is very much turning in to a midfield tussle and while there is no malicious intent, the first caution cannot be too far away.

Not a game for the purists, the action remains engrossing as the two teams battle for physical supremacy.

Boro simply aren't being allowed the freedom they enjoyed against Manchester United last time out and are being restricted to half chances.

Good approach play by the Blues as the ball is worked to Tim Cahill, but his strike from distance is well off target.

Right on cue, James Beattie shows his potency in the air, heading over from 10 yards.

Credit to the Boro work ethic as they look to close down on Everton's policy of whipping the early ball in towards Duncan Ferguson and James Beattie.

Simon Davies appears to have found his form for the home side as he breaks down the right, but good tracking by George Boateng averts the Welshman's danger.

The lively Yakubu Ayegbeni is proving a constant threat for Boro as Nigel Martyn is forced to deal with his angled drive.

The visitors are being frustrated by a typically hard working display by Everton.

Boro look to go long and Mark Schwarzer's long punt finds Yakubu Ayegbeni but good play by Joseph Ikpo Yobo to avert the danger as the Nigerian shaped to shoot.

James Beattie's goal has galvanised the home side and boosted some previously rocking confidence.

Boro have been visibly rocked by the goal after dominating possession, but in truth have failed to really test Nigel Martyn.

James Beattie heads home Andy van der Meyde's corner to hand the home side the lead just as Boro were turning the screw.

Boro are growing in confidence as Everton once again have to close down a shooting opportunity, with Tony Hibbert running down Fabio Rochemback in the left channel.

The Teessiders break and the busy Gaizka Mendieta lines an effort up from distance, but Tim Cahill is alert to avert the danger.

A first test for Nigel Martyn as Yakubu Ayegbeni tries his luck from 25 yards, and the veteran is equal to it.

Boro are attempting to slow the game down as Everton begin to build on good possession in the opening minutes.

Everton are coming in to this game after a shaky start and James Beattie attempts to let fly from 35 yards, but Chris Riggott is there again to block.

Good pressure by the home side forces another free-kick in a dangerous area, but Mikel Amatriain Arteta fails to clear the wall.

At the other end, an early sight of goal falls to Duncan Ferguson, but good defending by Chris Riggott to block on the edge of the area.

Gaizka Mendieta attempts to atone for his error in judgement, flashing a left-foot shot wide of the near post from just inside the area.

Boro are quickly on the attack, but Gaizka Mendieta's free-kick from the right is disappointing.

The action is underway on Merseyside.