Seasoned Everton-watchers could be seen pinching themselves minutes before the kickoff for there, before their very eyes, were Kevin Campbell and Duncan Ferguson sharing the same pitch for the first time since Ferguson returned his battered frame to Merseyside six months ago.
Middlesbrough soak up attacks with no apparent discomfort these days; a defence which pre-Venables was both shoddy and sloppy now exudes a measure of authority. Everton dominated the early stages but it was the visitors who scored first in fine style, Hamilton Ricard turning home from no great distance after Alen Boksic had headed on Christian Karembeu's divine cross.
Everton promptly threw everything in the general direction of the towering Ferguson, and chances came but were carelessly squandered. Campbell and Steve Watson both found room, but lacked the composure to inflict damage.
But Everton restore parity five minutes into an acrimonious second half. As the goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer moved out to collect Watson's orthodox cross he appeared to be nudged in the back by Campbell. But there was no whistle and, as the ball fell at the back post, Gary Naysmith arrived unannounced to score with a stooping header.
Having created a platform upon which to build something more meaningful, Everton promptly dismantled it when goalkeeper Thomas Myhre punched a Curtis Fleming cross high into the air, allowing Colin Cooper to head the ball back over both him and the line.
Idan Tal came one for Everton with 15 minutes remaining and four minutes later was the hero. A corner from Moore corner from the left reached Tal, unmarked beyond the far post, and he cooly brought the ball down and lashed it inside the near post for the equaliser.
EVERTON: Myhre, Steve Watson, Gough, Weir, Ball, Naysmith, Gemmill, Gravesen (Tal 76), Ferguson, Moore (Xavier 88), Campbell. Subs Not Used: Unsworth, Simonsen, Cadamarteri. Booked: Steve Watson. Goals: Naysmith 49, Tal 79.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Fleming, Vickers, Cooper, Ehiogu, Gordon (Festa 58), Ince, Okon, Karembeu (Mustoe 68), Boksic, Ricard (Whelan 55). Subs Not Used: Deane, Crossley. Booked: Vickers, Gordon, Schwarzer, Ince, Ehiogu, Cooper. Goals: Ricard 11, Cooper 63.
Referee: G Barber (Tring).
