DAVID MOYES found himself dumped to the Goodison turf yesterday. And the Scot will realise his Everton side are having similar difficulty in finding their feet in the Premier League this season.

An injury-time penalty from Leighton Baines may have ensured a confidence-boosting first league victory of the season to move Moyes’s men off the bottom of the table.

But the elation of the happy supporters streaming home at full-time was tinged with a healthy dose of relief following an afternoon that underlined the hard work that needs to be done to revive their top-five form.

Of course, after the humiliation of opening-day defeat to Arsenal and last week’s shock reverse at promoted Burnley, it would be harsh to quibble at this triumph.

Indeed, last season’s habit of late goals remains present and correct. Yet that Everton even came within seconds of taking only a point from a game they should have won at a canter spoke volumes.

The margins were narrow. Both Louis Saha’s equaliser and the winning penalty came shortly after Wigan had spurned gilt-edged opportunities to add to Paul Scharner’s 57th-minute opener.

Moyes had found the funny side at being upended by a sliding Hendry Thomas during the first half, but later acknowledged some of his players require a similar kick up the backside.

There was no real surprise that the winner should come from the spot, given the succession of fouls and bookings – Wigan face a fine after accruing six yellow cards – that littered a fractious encounter.

Latics manager Roberto Martinez has forged his reputation on building attractive teams but, having shipped nine goals in losing their previous two games to Manchester United and Blackpool, fear and negativity ruled their approach.

Referee Lee Probert’s whistle was too often the most prominent feature, particularly during a first half in which Wigan conceded 17 fouls to Everton’s three.

Such initial lack of ambition from the visitors ensured Sylvain Distin – given a rousing reception when introduced to the Goodison crowd before kick-off – couldn’t have wished for a more accommodating introduction to life as an Everton player.

Moyes is still seeking to strengthen his squad before tomorrow’s 5pm transfer deadline – two new arrivals are a must – but there was a stronger appearance to his bench yesterday that ultimately helped turn the game for Everton.

The substitutes included Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, the Russia international winger granted permission for a first involvement since his £9million arrival from Lokomotiv Moscow and who was given a late run-out.

More surprising, though, was the sight of Marouane Fellaini sat alongside the new boy.

The Belgian international has yet to find his form after a summer in which he was hampered by a debilitating virus, and Moyes chose to remove the 21-year-old from the firing line.

No doubt fired by being omitted, Fellaini’s late introduction added zest to Everton’s attacking endeavours while the thrust of fellow substitute Jo eventually proved too much for Wigan’s overworked defence.