Everton extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight games with a hard fought draw against Middlesbrough.
In a game lacking in quality, the Blues came closest to opening the deadlock in the first half as Romelu Lukaku and Ademola Lookman were both denied by Victor Valdes.
The Spaniard again denied Lookman in the second half before compatriot Joel Robles was forced into a stunning save to deny Rudy Gestede at the other end.
Here are the main talking points from Teeside:
New midfield partnership need work
Ever since Morgan Schneiderlin’s arrival at Goodison Park, fans have been hotly anticipating him linking up with Idrissa Gueye.
The Senegal international was the Blues best player in the first half of the campaign and the feeling is that those two could build a formidable partnership.
Unfortunately, this was not the game where that relationship many are hoping for was formed.
In the first half, both players failed to impose themselves on the home side enough and that caused problems for the Blues and the second half followed a similar route until Koeman elected to bring off Gueye for Enner Valencia in the 60th minute.
Increased playing time together will garner a stronger relationship but it seems time and patience will be needed before these two can form the Blue wall that many are hoping for.
Lookman looking like the real deal
Dele Alli’s continued success at Tottenham Hotspur means every Premier League team will be determined to discover their own lower league stars in future.
Everton may have found theirs in Ademola Lookman.
After his debut goal against Manchester City, the young forward has not looked back and has continued to impress in subsequent appearances.
Attack minded, smart on the ball and full of confidence, the 19-year-old has looked like an assured Premier League level player from the get go.
On a wet afternoon in Middlesbrough, he was lively throughout his time on the pitch and deserved a goal for his efforts. Unfortunately, a combination of Victor Valdes and last ditch defending conspired to deny him on each occasion.
Nonetheless, if Lookman continues as he has begun, the £10 million that Steve Walsh and co paid Charlton Athletic will look like a major bargain.
Deep defences continue to frustrate
Much like the draw away at Stoke City ten days ago, a deep defence frustrated Everton at the Riverside.
Aitor Karanka’s side have only conceded 27 goals so far this season, the joint fourth best record in the Premier League alongside the Blues.
They elected to sit back and compact the middle of the park in this game and the Blues were simply unable to find a way through.
Ross Barkley struggled as he was consistently crowded out while Romelu Lukaku was a bystander for much of the game.
It meant Everton were only able to muster seven shots in total, a far cry from the 15 they enjoyed against Bournemouth the week before.
If this team is to challenge the top six consistently, they must find a way to win these scrappy games on a more regular basis in future.
Still positives in stalemate for Blues
Everton will have known that a win at the Riverside would have put them within touching distance of the top six.
Three points would have seen them close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of them.
Instead, a win for both of those sides means they are now nine points clear.
While that is disappointing, there are some positives to be had. In the past, this would have been a game the Blues would have contrived to lose.
At the same time, a draw extends their unbeaten run to eight games in the league, something that hasn’t been achieved in three years and it is another clean sheet for Robles also.
Koeman’s philosophy this season has been that if his team cannot win, they must not lose. It is positive that Everton are at least sticking to that mantra.