Away success lifts Everton into top four

Everton FC won 2-1 at Wigan Athletic FC to move into fourth in the English Premier League while Manchester City FC missed the chance to join them on 42 points after a 1-1 draw with West Ham United FC .

Three-minute spell
After soaking up some heavy home pressure in the first half, Everton took the lead 39 minutes. The goal came after home defender Titus Bramble slipped when attempting a back-pass allowing Andrew Johnson to steal in and finish past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. Three minutes later the Toffees doubled their lead following a corner when Phil Jagielka squared for fellow centre-half Joleon Lescott to tap home his fifth league goal of the season.

Home fightback
Wigan fought back after the break and halved the deficit when Jason Koumas' cross was missed by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and the ball went in as an own goal off Jagielka. However, despite putting the away side on the back foot for much of the rest of the game, Wigan could not find an equaliser and remain 17th in the table, staying out of the bottom three only on goal difference.

City held
Manchester City started slowly against West Ham and the London side duly took the lead after just eight minutes when Fredrik Ljungberg's cross found its way to Carlton Cole who finished acrobatically. However, the home side responded and were level just after the quarter-hour mark when Darius Vassell stabbed in following a Martin Petrov cross.

Goalless second half
Both teams had chances in an open second half and Cole nearly won it in added time but his header was well saved by home goalkeeper Joe Hart. The point lifts City into fifth, a point ahead of Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC who play each other tomorrow night while West Ham stay in tenth spot.