LONDON, Feb 26: Everton leapfrogged Liverpool back into fourth place in the Premier League on Monday with an impressive 2-0 victory at Manchester City.

Goals in the first half from Ayegbeni Yakubu and Joleon Lescott were enough for Everton who moved three points above Liverpool in the race for the fourth Champions League.

Everton have 50 points from 27 games while Liverpool, who have played a game less, are on 47 along with Aston Villa. City, who also still harbour ambitions of fourth place, had only lost once at home in the league this season and memorably won 2-1 at Manchester United in their last outing, but they were well beaten by Everton.

The visitors had already had a strong penalty shout declined and struck the woodwork before Nigerian Yakubu converted a Tim Cahill cross from close range after half an hour.

England central defender Lescott made it 2-0 seven minutes later with a well-directed header from a Lee Carsley free kick, his sixth league goal of the season.

Everton dominated after the break and would have won by more had it not been for a string of fine saves by City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

City’s miserable night was complete when Martin Petrov was shown a red card in the last minute for a foul on Leon Osman.

Results: