Andrew Johnson was again at the centre of a controversial penalty claim as Everton were left bitterly frustrated by Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough and referee Phil Dowd.

England striker Johnson appeared to be hauled back inside the 18-yard box by rookie Boro defender Andrew Taylor inside the second minute.

The £8million summer signing from Crystal Palace protested vehemently but Dowd ignored his appeals for a spot-kick.

Johnson's previous appearance at Goodison Park had led to accusations of diving by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, which were later retracted after Everton threatened legal action.

Johnson did not go to ground under Taylor's challenge but his furious appeal suggested he clearly felt the Boro defender had impeded his movement.

However, Dowd waved away Johnson's claims and then did likewise with two further first-half penalty appeals from rookie striker Victor Anichebe and one from Mikel Arteta after the break.

It amounted to a miserable afternoon for Everton but Boro showed impressive defensive strength with on-loan Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate an imperious figure at centre-half.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate handed Gaizka Mendieta his first start since a 1-0 home defeat against Blackburn on September 23.

He came into the side along with youngster Lee Cattermole as Boro shelved their 4-4-2 formation in favour of a 4-5-1 system, with Nigerian Yakubu spearheading their attack.

Rookie Everton striker Anichebe, 18, was handed only his second Premiership start and came into the side for the suspended Phil Neville.

Despite not having recorded an away win in the Premiership since a 1-0 success at Manchester City in April, it was Boro who threatened first. Julio Arca's clever pass sent Stewart Downing racing clear on the overlap down the left flank inside the second minute.

The England winger whipped in a dangerous low cross which fell behind onrushing striker Yakubu as Everton breathed a sigh of relief.

After Johnson's spot-kick appeal was turned down, Everton quickly established a firm foothold on proceedings and a piece of delightful trickery from Arteta engineered a clear shooting opportunity for Johnson in the seventh minute.

Arteta left Andrew Davies for dead on the left flank and found Johnson with an astute pass which allowed the England striker a clear shot on goal. He took aim from 10 yards but Emanuel Pogatetz made a vital block to avert the danger.

Moments later Everton saw two further claims for a penalty inside a minute again waved away as the lively Anichebe claimed handball against Pogatetz and then a foul against the same player.

Yakubu then punched the turf in frustration a minute later after going to ground under challenge from Joleon Lescott.

Yet Everton remained largely dominant and a thunderous 25-yard strike from stand-in skipper Lee Carsley was deflected onto the roof of the net in the 26th minute.

From the subsequent corner by Arteta, Leon Osman connected sweetly with well-struck volley which was blocked.

Boro were nothing if not dogged and, with Woodgate and Pogatetz repelling wave after wave of attacks, the Teessiders suggested they had the qualities to grind out at least a point.

Boro's goal came under threat again shortly after the half-hour mark when Osman crossed from the left but Anichebe failed to connect at the far post.

Carsley was again given the time to shoot on the stroke of half-time with a 30-yard drive which flew over the crossbar.

Mendieta scarcely touched the ball inside the opening 45 minutes and it was no surprise to see him hauled off at the break and replaced by Mark Viduka.

It was a bold move by Southgate and one which suggested he felt that a partner for Yakubu could increase the pressure on Everton's previously underworked defence.

The switch took effect almost instantly as Viduka had the ball in the net from Downing's low cross-shot.

The Australian was clearly standing in an offside position, however, and the celebrations among the visiting supporters were quickly doused by a raised flag from a referee's assistant.

Remarkably, Everton saw a fourth penalty appeal turned down in the 56th minute when Arteta fell in a heap under challenge from Woodgate.

Once again, referee Dowd saw no wrongdoing and frustrations in the home camp grew when Anichebe dragged a shot wastefully wide while Boro's confidence grew.

In the 66th minute Everton boss Moyes replaced McFadden and Gary Naysmith with Andy van der Meyde and Nuno Valente.

However, Everton continued to be laboured in attack and not even the introduction of James Beattie for Anichebe could offer them much impetus as Boro held on for a hard-earned point.

Teams

Everton Howard, Davies, Yobo, Lescott,Naysmith (Nuno Valente 66), Osman, Carsley, Arteta,McFadden (Van der Meyde 66), Johnson, Anichebe (Beattie 74).

Subs Not Used: Wright, Weir.

Booked: Carsley, Davies.

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor,Mendieta (Viduka 46), Boateng, Cattermole (Parnaby 74),Downing, Arca, Yakubu.

Subs Not Used: Jones, Rochemback, Christie.

Booked: Arca.

Att: 38,126

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).