Middlesbrough held a rejuvenated Everton to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League clash on Saturday to move eighth in the league table.

Gary O'Neil's early goal in the 8th minute put Boro in the lead and Gareth Southgate's side looked on course for an upset at Goodison Park but Everton fought back in the second half as Ayegbeni Yakubu scored his first goal in 10 matches to pull his side back on level terms.

Everton went into the match high on confidence following three straight victories but it was Boro who dominated the early exchanges before taking the lead in the 8th minute. Stewart Downing found Sanli Tuncay with a cross from the left flank and the Turkish striker teed up the ball for O'Neil to slot home from close range.

Everton were dominating the possession but did little in terms of creating chances with Boro increasing looking dangerous on the counter. Yakubu went close to restoring parity in the 13th minute when the striker latched on to a flick on by Louis Saha but was unable to hit the target.

The hosts' best chance of the half fell to Joleon Lescott when his floated cross looped over Ross Turnbull before hitting the post. Everton had a penalty appeal turned down midway through the first half when Yakubu fell down under a challenge from Turnbull as Boro hung on to their lead till the half time whistle.

Everton stepped up the pressure in the second half and were rewarded in the 65th minute when Mikel Arteta curled in a free kick for Yakubu to prod home from close range to score his first goal since returning from a heel injury.

Didier Digard almost restored Boro's lead minutes later but his long range drive was parried on to the post by a diving Tim Howard. Both the teams had decent chances to take the lead but were satisfied with a point at the final whistle.