A second-half Leon Osman header gave Everton three much-deserved points in a 1-0 victory over Swansea in the English Premier League.
Goodison Park visitors Swansea had fought well and looked on course to grab their fourth away draw of the campaign in Wednesday's match, before switching off needlessly at a corner kick.
Royston Drenthe duly delivered perfectly for Osman to leap highest above the Swans' defence, grabbing what would prove to be the winner.
Everton boss David Moyes made two changes - notably in attack - from the home draw with newly-promoted Norwich City on Saturday.
Drenthe, so impressive in his substitute appearance in that game, replaced Magaye Gueye on the left wing and Seamus Coleman returned at the expense of Tim Cahill.
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers left his side unchanged from a hard-fought draw with Newcastle United on Saturday, perhaps expecting an equally determined performance.
Everton's changes seemed to be working early in the match, as Drenthe impressed with his pressing.
Coleman found space on the right but failed to find a fitting cross after a typically clever run, allowing Swansea to clear their lines.The hosts kept up the early pressure as Leighton Baines' free-kick barely evaded the boot of Louis Saha, after the striker found space in the box.
Swansea's passing football has gained plaudits throughout the Premier League this season, and they served to underline why with one exchange resulting in a cross from Gower, which was gratefully collected by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Any attempts to break the Everton line were subsequently repelled and one attack even saw Drenthe - recently criticised for his work rate by boss Moyes - back on his own byline to make a neat sliding tackle.
The on-loan Real Madrid man was proving the only truly inspirational figure in the hosts' attack, but his task was underlined after a run which left two defenders standing saw him meet a wall of Swansea resistance with little support in blue.
Coleman's opportunity to impress came to a premature end as he limped off after 31 minutes, to be replaced by Gueye.More frustration followed as Saha nodded wide from a Tony Hibbert cross, before Leighton Baines found space in behind to pick out Gueye on 38 minutes.
The 21-year-old French forward's side-footed effort was goal-bound but brought out a fantastic reaction stop from Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.Swans left-back Neil Taylor was withdrawn for Angel Rangel after picking up an injury in the ensuing goalmouth scramble, and Everton defender Phil Jagielka wildly hacked at the resultant corner to send it over the bar.
Gueye had another golden opportunity to put his side ahead before the break after a clever ball by Saha, but failed to fire home after Vorm had made himself big.
The visitors made a change at half-time, with midfielder Gower - key to Swansea's fluidity in the opening 45 minutes - making way for Kemy Agustien.
Everton failed to get fully back in their stride for the opening periods of the second half, but had their first chance on 56 minutes when the ball fell for Osman in the box.
The midfielder could do little more than toe-poke weakly at Vorm, however, after a heavy first touch.But the Englishman quickly atoned for his poor effort when he handed his side the lead, heading home Drenthe's corner with aplomb on 60 minutes.
Jagielka soon went close with his own header