Everton win at last to end Birmingham home run

Everton won in the Premier League for the first time this season as they ended Birmingham’s 18-league game unbeaten home run with a 2-0 victory at St Andrews here on Saturday.

The result lifted Everton off the bottom of the table after an own-goal from Roger Johnson put them ahead before Australia midfielder Tim Cahill’s late header sealed victory.

Birmingham had not lost at St Andrews since a defeat by Bolton on September 26 last year and they were nearly in front early on when Cameron Jerome’s half-volley went just wide of the post.

Everton responded when Nigeria striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu’s close-range shot was blocked by England goalkeeper Ben Foster before the covering Liam Ridgewell hacked the ball of the line.

But the Toffees did take the lead early in the second-half when Johnson prodded Leon Osman’s cross into his own net.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish sent on strikers Nikola Zigic and Matt Derbyshire in a bid to get an equaliser against an Everton team managed by a fellow Scot in David Moyes.

However, Everton held firm before Cahill completed a desperately needed victory for the Merseysiders with a firm header.