Everton edge out Derby

Everton's Gemmill tackles Ducrocq at Goodison

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Everton 1-0 Derby County

Everton substitute Joe-Max Moore deepened Derby County's despair with the winner at Goodison Park.

Moore - on as a half-time substitute in a bid to break the deadlock - struck with 14 minutes left to give Everton a deserved victory.

It left Derby still languishing in the Premiership danger zone and capped a miserable week after a 5-0 thrashing at Manchester United.

Colin Todd's side sorely missed the injured Fabrizio Ravanelli, while Everton counterpart Walter Smith will be pleased with the win and a fourth clean sheet in five games.

  Key moment

76 mins: Substitute Joe Max-Moore scores the only goal

And it was delight for Moore, who has struggled for form this season but ended a barren sequence of 33 games without a goal.

Everton boss Smith relegated Paul Gascoigne to the bench after the disappointing defeat at Fulham - but was able to name Jesper Blomqvist as a substitute for the first time since his move from Manchester United.

I can't remember a game when we have been so much on top, it was just very frustrating to have to wait so long for the breakthrough

Everton manager Walter Smith

Derby were also attempting to bounce back after the Old Trafford beating, but Ravanelli's absence was a blow.

Everton dominated the first-half, despite losing defender Alan Stubbs with a pulled muscle after only 13 minutes.

The Merseysiders were unfortunate not to go ahead after 21 minutes when Alessandro Pistone powered a header against the foot of a post.

Stubbs battles with Burton

And Steve Watson, again pressed into action as an emergency striker, was off target from 30 yards with Derby goalkeeper Andy Oakes stranded out of position.

Pistone was denied by the woodwork once more before half-time, heading against the bar from Niclas Alexandersson's corner.

Everton reshuffled their line-up during the interval, sending on Moore for Pistone, allowing Watson to revert to his more familiar defensive role.

And both managers were forced to make a change on the hour when Everton's Thomas Gravesen and Derby midfield man Darryl Powell clashed heads and had to go off.

Gascoigne replaced Gravesen, while Adam Bolder came on for the injured Powell.

It was an unfortunate injury but I want to make it clear that all the speculation that there had been an incident at the hotel was not true

Derby manager Colin Todd on Fabrizio Ravanelli

Everton were enjoying massive territorial supremacy, with Derby desperately poor as an attacking force.

And Everton deservedly took the lead through substitute Moore with 14 minutes remaining.

Moore headed from from close range following a right-wing cross from the dangerous Alexandersson, and it was enough to give hard-working Everton a win their performance merited.

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Everton: Simonsen, Pistone, Stubbs, Weir, Naysmith, Alexandersson, Gemmill, Gravesen, Pembridge, Watson, Radzinski. Subs: Gerrard, Unsworth, Blomqvist, Gascoigne, Moore.

Derby: Oakes, Elliott, Riggott, Mawene, Zavagno, Powell, Ducrocq, Grenet, Carbone, Burton, Christie. Subs: Kinkladze, Boertien, Valakari, Bolder, Grant.

Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucester)