Everton 2
Lescott 7 Pienaar 58
Middlesbrough 0
Everton 2 Middlesbrough 0 September 30 2007
Everton climbed up to fifth place in the Premier League after goals from Joleon Lescott and Steven Pienaar toppled Middlesbrough.
The Toffees were ahead after just seven minutes, when Lescott headed home from close range.
Visiting Boro were left to rue a string of missed first-half chances, though, with George Boateng sidefooting wide of the upright, Gary O'Neil scuffing a shot straight at Tim Howard and Lee Dong-Gook heading against the crossbar.
The hosts were equally as wasteful at Goodison, where Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Pienaar headed off target when well placed, while Mark Schwarzer kept out shots from Yakubu and Mikel Arteta with sharp saves.
After the break, Boro dominated but it was 2-0 on 58 minutes when Arteta's sublime pass to Pienaar in the box left him with the simple task of sliding the ball into the net.