Clinical Everton punish West Ham

Leon Osman and James Vaughan were on target as Everton FC moved to within a point of a UEFA Champions League place with a 2-0 victory against struggling West Ham United FC at Goodison Park.

Comeback capped
Osman struck the crucial opener six minutes after half-time, drilling a clinical volley past goalkeeper Robert Green after West Ham failed to clear James Beattie's looping cross. Recently back from a serious knee injury, 18-year-old substitute Vaughan then sealed the win with only his second ever goal for the club as the visitors sought an equaliser.

Tévez threat
For much of the first half, an Everton win looked unlikely, however, as West Ham created a number of chances, with Carlos Tévez providing a guileful presence. The Argentinian playmaker was the instigator in a move that saw Lee Bowyer thwarted by Tim Howard midway through the half, and also teed up Bobby Zamora soon after the restart but the striker's effort whistled over the crossbar.

Beattie persistence
The home side had offered little in return, although Green was called on to deny Andrew Johnson and James Beattie, but the keeper could do nothing to keep out Osman's volley from the edge of the box as West Ham failed to clear after determined work by Beattie. The visitors fought back, with Marlon Harewood forcing Howard to palm away his powerful shot before Vaughan rounded off the win which moves Everton to within a point of third-placed Arsenal FC. West Ham remain fourth from bottom.