Middlesbrough chalked up their first win of the season this afternoon when an early strike from Joseph-Desire Job gave them a 1-0 win over Everton at the Riverside Stadium.
It was a welcome victory for manager Steve McClaren and his team after the club's worst start for 19 seasons saw them draw one and lose four of their opening five league games. Their only previous point came from a goalless draw at Leicester on August 26.
The only goal of Sunday's match came after six minutes when Job swept home a low cross from Malcolm Christie despite being surrounded by four Everton defenders. Boro were denied a second after 39 minutes when Frank Quedrue, back in the side after a five-match ban, saw his header just cross the goal-line after bouncing down off the crossbar, but the "goal" was not given by either linesman or referee.
Everton came more into the game in the second half after a poor opening 45 minutes, but failed to convert any of the numerous chances they created. Middlesbrough moved up from 19th to 17th, while Everton slipped back to 15th, with their 3-1 victory over Fulham a month ago their only win of the season from their opening six matches.