A refereeing mistake got Everton going against Middlesbrough, says Ronald Koeman, who praised Gareth Barry and Ross Barkley.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman feels referee Lee Mason's decision not to disallow Maarten Stekelenburg's own goal following a collision with Alvaro Negredo was key to their 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough.
Stekelenburg dropped the ball into his own net in the 21st minute after Negredo jumped into him, but Mason felt the Spanish attacker did not make a foul.
The Dutchman's own goal sparked Everton into life and they netted three times in the remainder of the first half to emerge victorious, with Gareth Barry, Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku on target.