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Everton win at the JJB to go fourth in the Premier League

Andy Johnson and Joleon Lescott scored a goal each on Sunday to give Everton a 2-1 win at Wigan in the English Premier League.

The win puts Everton into fourth place, while Manchester City missed the chance to join the Toffees with 42 points after a 1-1 draw against visiting West Ham.

Everton's Johnson took advantage of a stumble from Wigan Athletic defender Titus Bramble to shoot through the legs of Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland in the 39th minute. Lescott doubled the lead in the 42nd by tapping in at the far post after Phil Jagielka had played across a corner from Mikel Arteta.

Wigan pulled a goal back in the 53rd minute. A long ball from Wigan striker Jason Koumas was poorly defended in the box and went into the net off Everton's Jagielka.

"Wigan are a good team and this is a hard place to come and get a result," Johnson said. "Physically, this is one of the hardest games we'll play but the important thing is that we got the three points and we're sitting pretty in the league."

Wigan remain in 17th place and manager Steve Bruce fears the poor pitch at the JJB Stadium could hurt their chances of avoiding relegation.

"I've some good players here and yet the pitch is giving us grave concerns," Bruce said. "If you are a Premier League team, the one thing you need is a decent pitch and that could affect us."

Carlton Cole put West Ham United ahead in the eighth minute, with an overhead kick. Darius Vassell equalized for Manchester City in the 16th minutes from close range.

City, who eliminated West Ham from the FA Cup last week, now have 40 points in fifth place. West Ham remain in 10th.

Manchester City have yet to lose at home this season, but manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said his team were close to losing that record.

"Maybe we deserved to lose today," he said. "I think West Ham were the better team today so we should be thankful that we took one point at least."

Manchester United lead the Premier League with 54 points. Arsenal are second on goal difference, while Chelsea remain third, four points behind the leaders. Everton are fourth with 42 points, followed by Manchester City with 40. Liverpool played Aston Villa late yesterday.
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