By Rhys Lewis
October 27 2005

Everton lost in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup to Middlesbrough at Goodison Park thanks to a goal in the first half by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The defeat was Everton's fifth defeat in seven home games this season. It was a fairly close game with both sides fielding very strong line ups rather than the usual reserve teams, which this competition normally sees. Everton had the first opening with the outstanding Mikel Arteta having a shot from inside the box blocked by a Boro defender. Arteta was then on hand to clear Boro's first attempt off the line having charged back from the right wing position. However it was Middlesbrough who took the lead just 7 minutes before half time, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink raced through the middle to hammer home straight through Nigel Martyn. From then on you got the same old sinking feeling as we have had so many times this season.

Everton had had most of the possession in the first half but had created very little other than some fantastic crosses from Arteta with nobody there to take advantage of them.

Everton nearly got straight back into the game after the restart when James Beattie saw his dipping volley from out wide saved by Schwarzer. Boro did have a couple of openings from Hasselbaink but he was unable to convert the chances as Everton chased the game.

With 30mins to go the highlight of the game occured. The arrival of Andy van der Meyde. He recieved a fantastic reception from the Goodison faithful and despite having not played since June he did not dissapoint. He gave the Boro defence a torrid time twisting them inside and out. Showing the flair the Evertonians had been waiting for since his signing on deadline day. He produced some dangerous dipping crosses, one of which nearly created a great chance for Beattie, unfortunatly it was just too high. Van der Meyde also nearly got on the scoresheet. He made a darting run from the left into the near post and but for some great defending he would have opened his Everton account on his debut. In the dying minutes he saw another effort this time from long range deflected wide having breezed past two men.

Everton nearly equalised in the final few minutes. First of all through a Mikel Arteta free kick from 25 yards, he saw his dipping effort cannon against the crossbar. Then James Beattie rose at the far post to meet a cross from the right only to see his header go agonisingly over the bar.

It was a tough game but while it was not the best of performances, there were some positives to be taken. Once again Yobo was a different class at the back, Mikel Arteta is looking more and more like a world class player every game, James Beattie continues to look sharper. But most importantly the arrival of Andy van der Meyde, if this is him when he is unfit, not sharp and carrying a bit of excess weight then you get the feeling that premiership full backs will be in a tough time when he gets fully fit.