Leon Osman earned Everton their third win at Goodison Park this season as they recorded a 1-0 victory over Swansea, whose away-day struggles in the Barclays Premier League continued.
The Swans have picked up only three points on their travels and, although their miserly defence withstood a flurry of chances at the end of the first half, they could not prevent Osman heading in Royston Drenthe's corner on the hour mark.
The visitors had only one chance of note but Danny Graham should have made it count rather than heading straight at Tim Howard, while Swans keeper Michel Vorm twice saved well from Everton substitute Magaye Gueye.
Seamus Coleman, back in the team after a thigh injury, limped off to be replaced by Gueye, with the lively Drenthe switching to the right and setting up the first good chance with a whipped cross that was headed just wide by Louis Saha.
Everton should have taken the lead in the 38th minute when Osman played in Leighton Baines down the left and his pull-back fell perfectly for Gueye, who was denied by Vorm.
The half ended with the influential Osman playing in Gueye, only for the winger to again be denied by Vorm.
The break had done Everton no favours and they did not threaten Vorm's goal again until the 56th minute, when Phil Neville's quick free-kick found Osman in the box, but he could only poke tamely at the keeper.
Four minutes later the Dutchman was beaten, though, with a straightforward goal from a corner.
Swansea may feel aggrieved the set-piece was awarded following a driving run into the box from Drenthe, but there was no doubt about the finish, the winger's delivery planted into the far corner by Osman.
The visitors had barely created a chance but they should have equalised in the 68th minute, Graham making good contact with Wayne Routledge's cross 10 yards out but heading straight at Howard.
Source: PA
