Wigan could easily have been out of sight by the break. But Everton dug deep, steadied the ship and finished the stronger during the decisive final quarter.

Of course, having deserved more from recent draws at Sunderland and in particular Arsenal, Everton won’t have too much sympathy for the Latics, particularly given some of the decisions that went against them.

But Moyes’s men will know an improvement is needed if forthcoming engagements are to be successfully negotiated.

With Sylvain Distin injured, Philippe Senderos came in for his debut appearance after arriving on loan from Arsenal last week, his first Premier League outing since lining up for the Gunners at Sunderland in May 2008.

Senderos had played only two Carling Cup games this season before moving to Goodison, and ring-rustiness was understandably apparent at times during the first half before warming to his task after the interval.

The Switzerland international was ably assisted by centre-back partner John Heitinga, who is assuming the leadership qualities that have at times been lacking from the heart of Everton’s defence this season.

Heitinga was the best on show here, although hearts were in mouths shortly after the interval when the Dutchman sent Charles N’Zogbia sprawling to concede a free-kick on the edge of the area with Wigan screaming for a penalty.

The officials got it right then, but quite what referee Lee Probert and his assistants were thinking at other times is anybody’s guess.

Everton had strong claims for a penalty of their own on the half-hour when Wigan defender Gary Caldwell seemed to bring down Louis Saha, but their main gripe came on 74 minutes when, after Cahill’s shot was only partially saved by comedy goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, the Australian retrieved possession and passed the ball back for Marouane Fellaini to tap home into the unguarded goal.

Everton’s celebrations were cut short, however, by the assistant referee flagging for what television replays confirmed was a mystery offside. As wrong decisions go, it was one even John Terry might think twice about before making.

Stojkovic was an accident waiting to happen from the moment he made a hugely unconvincing save to keep out Leon Osman’s mishit effort in the third minute.

But a Saha header and a Leighton Baines free-kick apart, the visitors struggled to put the Wigan goalkeeper under any concerted pressure until Cahill’s run allowed him to lose the attentions of Maynor Figueroa and head home a Baines corner from the left with six minutes remaining.

There was still enough time for N’Zogbia to rattle Howard’s crossbar from 20 yards, a reminder, if one were needed, that Everton hadn’t had it all their own way on the afternoon.

But then few find as much triumph in the face of adversity as Moyes and his players.