Yakubu shows way as Everton go fourth

MANCHESTER, England -- Ayegbeni Yakubu took his tally for the season to 16 goals as Everton triumphed 2-0 at Manchester City to go fourth in the Premier League above Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

Yakubu made the breakthrough on the half-hour and Joleon Lescott added a second eight minutes later while City's misery was complete in stoppage time when Martin Petrov was sent off for kicking out at Leon Osman.

England manager Fabio Capello saw Champions League hopes Everton dominate the first half as City failed to reproduce the form that saw them shock Manchester United.

Everton, now unbeaten in their last seven Premiership games, went close to opening the scoring in the 28th minute when Steven Pienaar latched onto a pass from Tim Cahill.

He cut inside and steered his effort beyond goalkeeper Joe Hart only to see the ball come back off the post.

Everton's pressure finally paid off after 30 minutes. Cahill showed good skill in the area and released Nigerian Yakubu, who prodded home.

Eight minutes later Everton added a second when Lescott got goal-side of Richard Dunne to head in a cross from Lee Carsley.

Carsley deserves enormous credit after chasing a lost cause and delivering a marvellous ball to the back post.

Everton almost made it 3-0 in the 54th minute after some sloppy defending by City. Yakubu got the better of Micah Richards and found Cahill in the six-yard area but his shot was cleared off the line by Dunne.

City had increased the tempo and were playing with more confidence. Petrov tried his luck after 64 minutes but his powerful effort from 20 yards was blocked by Carsley.

Everton, however, were carving out numerous chances and Hart stood tall to block Johnson's effort in the 84th minute before Petrov was sent off for a moment of madness as City suffered a second successive home defeat. E-mail to a friend