Yakubu keeps Everton on course

Everton FC remain in pole position for England's fourth UEFA Champions League spot after an impressive 3-1 victory at home to Portsmouth FC, though city rivals Liverpool FC stayed just three points adrift with a game in hand after ending their barren recent away form at Bolton Wanderers FC.

On-song Yakubu
The hosts got off to a dream start at Goodison Park as in-form Everton striker Yakubu Ayegbeni broke the deadlock inside the first 60 seconds, heading in after Portsmouth failed to clear Steven Pienaar's free-kick. It was the Nigerian's fifth goal in three matches since returning from African Cup of Nations duty and although Jermain Defoe made it 1-1 before half-time, Yakubu helped restore the advantage 17 minutes before the final whistle, teeing up Pienaar whose cross was well met by Tim Cahill. Yakubu sealed the points nine minutes from time as Everton maintained their advantage over Liverpool.

Bizarre opener
The Reds were on a run of four away games without a win going into Sunday, yet they enjoyed a timely return to winning ways at Bolton. The visitors made much of the early running though their 12th-minute opener owed a fair amount to luck. Steven Gerrard's shot looked to be going just wide but Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen dived to save it and in doing so contrived to help it into his own net thanks to vicious spin.

Second-half strikes
Without a league goal since the last time the sides met in December, Ryan Babel made it 2-0 on the hour, driving in a crisp, near-post effort after Dirk Kuyt's effort had cannoned back off the upright. Fábio Aurélio wrapped up the points 15 minutes from time with a well-taken volley, though substitute Tamir Cohen did head in a 79th-minute consolation for the home side. It was enough to lift Liverpool above Aston Villa FC to fifth.