A Darron Gibson strike gave Everton all three points at Goodison Park on Tuesday night against Manchester City, helping his former team go level at the top of the table.
City now lead the league only on goal difference from Manchester United thanks to the Irishman’s strike, the only goal of the game.
The match was going to be remembered for the fan who ran on the pitch just before half-time and handcuffed himself to a post, delaying the game for almost five minutes but Gibson’s goal means this game will be seen as vital in the title race.
With Everton fans celebrating the arrival of new striker Nikica Jelavic from Rangers the Goodison faithful were in full voice and David Moyes’ side responded by taking the game to the league leaders from the kick-off.
After just four minutes it took a goal-line clearance by former Toffee Joleon Lescott to stop Denis Stracqualursi’s header giving Everton the perfect start.
Gael Clichy wasted a chance at the other end and soon the game settled into a bit of a midfield tussle.
Roysten Drenthe and Gareth Barry were in regular contact and the home side’s five across the middle was proving too tough for even David Silva to break down.
Instead it was Samir Nasri who came closest, as he unleashed a stunning 30-yard effort that smacked off Tim Howard’s bar near the end of the first half.
This was closely followed by the interruption by the fan and the first half fizzled out after the unplanned delay.
There were shouts for a penalty after Maroune Fellaini brought down Edin Dzeko but within minutes the game was turned upside down as former Manchester United man Gibson drilled home the goal that put Everton ahead.
Drenthe flew down the left before releasing Baines and his cross was headed only as far as Landon Donovan. The American teed up the Irish international and his shot took a deflection as it went past Joe Hart.
City looked to find a way back by bringing in Adam Johnson but Everton just upped their workrate. Phil Neville would have been harshly punished if referee Peter Walton had pointed to the spot after an Aleksandar Kolarov cross struck the Everton captain’s arm and in the end Everton deserved the win.
Roberto Mancini’s miserable record at Merseyside continues and he now has both United and Spurs snapping at his heels.