Everton climb above Mersey rivals

Wigan 1-2 Everton:  Everton went above neighbours Liverpool into fourth spot in the Premier League table with a 2-1 win at Wigan today.

First-half goals from Andy Johnson and Joleon Lescott were enough to give David Moyes' side all three points on a poor pitch at the JJB.

Johnson opened the scoring on 39 minutes, capitalising on a horrendous error by Latics defender Titus Bramble.

The former Newcastle man fluffed an attempted backpass, leaving Johnson in the clear to slot the ball past Chris Kirkland in the Wigan goal.

Three minutes later the Toffees struck a killer blow as Lescott profited from more poor Latics defending.

He was left alone on the back post to tap home after the home side failed to clear an Everton corner.

Wigan pulled a goal back early in the second half, mainly thanks to substitute Jason Koumas.

His free-kick into the Everton box skimmed off the head of Bramble, who had beaten Tim Howard to the punch. The ball then dropped onto Phil Jagielka and deflected into his own net.

Both sides had chances to score after that, but Wigan never had the poise required up front to earn a point.

The Toffees are now three points clear of Liverpool in fourth, but have played two games more than their local rivals.