AFTER the heroics of Middlesbrough's first UEFA Cup tie, manager Steve McClaren has urged for a repeat performance when they return to Premiership action at Everton tomorrow.

Boro's fans are still buoyant after Thursday night's crushing 3-0 win over Czech champions Banik Ostrava in the first round first leg.

But McClaren believes victory will be quickly forgotten should Middlesbrough fail to perform at Goodison Park.

Everton are level with the Teessiders on ten points after five league matches and a victory for either could even lift them level on points with second-placed Chelsea.

Middlesbrough have won their last four matches after recovering from an opening day draw with Newcastle and the 5-3 reversal at Arsenal.

"The Arsenal defeat really hurt, hurt the players and the staff but they have reacted well since then," said McClaren, whose side's 3-0 success over Banik was witnessed by Everton boss David Moyes at first hand.

"The character the players have shown to bounce back from a bad defeat is fantastic and they have bounced back in good form.

"Even before Thursday night, David knew what we are like and that we will be a tough side, just as they will be. What's going to be the test for us is how we react after a European night - it's a new experience for us.

"But we know Everton have quality and we will have to be aware of the threat posed by them. They had bad publicity in pre-season (with the sale of Wayne Rooney to ease a cash crisis) but they are proving a point at the moment."

And, once again, McClaren paid tribute to strike duo Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - who now have nine goals between them.

But the Middlesbrough manager said: "They are goalscorers and they are doing their job. But I would like to see other players contribute. I still think there's more to come from the pair of them and the team as a whole."

Gazika Mendieta and Ugo Ehiogu are both still ruled out of action with calf problems.

Moyes, meanwhile, is surprised by Everton's remarkable start to the season.

''We feel good about ourselves and want to keep our players performing in the same fashion as in the recent weeks,'' said the Everton manager.

''We have brought in only a few, we have let a lot go but there are still plenty here who two years ago were very close to Europe.

''Last year we were nearly relegated but let's hope that this is the season we are going to achieve Europe even if it has been something of a rollercoaster.''

Moyes, who will have Joseph Yobo and Lee Carsley fit after injury for the match, said: ''I suppose our start has surprised me. I think we are still a side that people do not think we should be where we are.

''But the way we are playing, the self-belief we have got, means it would not surprise me if we continued the way we are doing.

''I think we were so low with our own performances and a lot of people had knocked us down, that we all decided to be really positive and to try to do everything the right way. The players have responded.

''That is what we decided to do as a staff. It has gone well, it is a good start, and we hope we can keep it going.''

He added: ''We are on a mini-run, have drawn at Manchester United and won at City, to have a good season in the Premier League you have to produce runs like this two or three times a season."

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