Everton defeat Wigan to go fourth

Updated 18.26 Sun Jan 20 2008

Keywords: West Ham, Manchester City, Rangers, SPL, Barclays Premier League, Wigan, Everton

Everton scored two goals in three minutes at Wigan to claim victory and lift themselves into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

Andy Johnson's sixth goal of the season was swiftly followed by a seventh this campaign from Joleon Lescott late in the first half.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was left frustrated as his Manchester City side surrendered further ground in the race for a coveted European berth

Wigan managed to pull one back early in the second half courtesy of an own goal from Phil Jagielka, only to fall short in their bid to salvage a point that would have been merited.

The result lifts David Moyes' side above their Merseyside rivals Liverpool - who face Aston Villa at Anfield on Monday - into a Champions League place.

Wigan, who could have clambered to 13th with a win, remain a place above the bottom three.

In the day's other Premier League game, Sven-Goran Eriksson was left frustrated as his Manchester City side surrendered further ground in the race for a coveted European berth.

City were held at home by a severely-depleted West Ham side.

Carlton Cole produced a delightful overhead kick to put the Hammers ahead after eight minutes before Darius Vassell stabbed in a controversial equaliser eight minutes later.

Meanwhile in Scotland, Jean-Claude Darcheville scored a vital 88th minute goal for Rangers to defeat Inverness and stretch their lead at the top of Scottish Premier League to four points.