Cahill winner at sorry Boro moves Toffees up to sixth

Tim Cahill made sure Everton maintained their impressive away record in the Premier League by scoring the game's only goal in a precious 1-0 away win at Middlesbrough on Friday.

Cahill scored in the 51st minute of a match which really only came to life in the second half, the Australian's winner keeping David Moyes' side within sight of the coveted European places.

In the past two months the bulk of Everton's victories have come away from home, but that is not a boast Boro – who last won in early November – would even consider claiming.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate made three changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Fulham, Andrew Taylor, Gary O'Neil and Mido coming into the side.

However the hosts – who had claims for a penalty waved away in the 70th minute – never looked in danger of threatening a dominant Everton side who, thanks to this win, have now moved up to sixth place.

Boro have now taken just three points from a possible 21 in their past seven games, a run of form that has left them hovering one place above the relegation zone's bottom three of Stoke, Blackburn and West Bromwich Albion.

The chances were few and far between in the first half, with Everton's strategy of sending high balls into the Boro box keeping Boro's defence on their toes.

Steven Pienaar came close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors just before the half hour, his shot crashing against the outside of the Boro post.

Phil Neville then raced on to a Pienaar ball but his swerving shot sailed wide of goal with diving 'keeper Ross Turnbull appearing to have it covered.

It took just five minutes after the restart for Everton to pull ahead, a determined Cahill stabbing the ball home from close range after missing two previous efforts with foot and head.

In the 55th minute the Toffees missed a golden chance to double their lead when Belgian Marouane Fellaini lofted the ball for Dan Gosling, only for the debutant to fire over from just yards out.

Southgate's hopes of a late equaliser appeared near to materialising in the 70th minute when referee Mike Riley raced into the box after Adam Johnson, on a minute earlier for Jeremie Aliadiere, tumbled to the ground after a Mikael Arteta challenge.

However Riley waved away the hosts' claims for a penalty.