Diniyar Bilyaletdinov fired a superb injury-time winner to send Portsmouth out of the Barclays Premier League as gallant losers with a 1-0 defeat.
The Russian substitute struck from distance in the fourth minute of time added on, just as relegated Pompey looked to be bowing out of the top flight with a creditable draw.
Yet victory was no more than the Toffees deserved after squandering a multitude of chances at Goodison Park.
Everton carved out a six chances in the first five minutes. Ricardo Rocha put behind from Tony Hibbert and Mikel Arteta had a cross headed away by Papa Boupa Diop.
Louis Saha headed over from a Leighton Baines cross and Arteta shot at Jamie Ashdown - in goal for David James - after being set up by Victor Anichebe.
Jack Rodwell met a Hibbert cross but Ashdown dealt with his header.
Pompey's first chance came after 10 minutes as John Utaka curled a free-kick over.
Portsmouth thought they had taken the lead just before the hour but saw the goal ruled out for offside. Sylvain Distin blocked a Frederic Piquionne cross but the ball rebounded to substitute Jamie O'Hara and his shot was turned in by Anthony Vanden Borre at the far post. Vanden Borre was clearly behind at least two Everton players but referee Peter Walton thought differently.
Saha met a corner with a firm header but Hayden Mullins was again on hand to clear off the line.
With four minutes of injury time almost over, Bilyaletdinov curled in a superb left-footed winner from 30 yards.
Source: PA
