MANCHESTER CITY may have been aiming for a Christmas number one, but it was Everton’s long-playing record that was blaring out loud and clear at Eastlands last night.

The hoodoo David Moyes and Tim Cahill appear to hold over these parts continued as the Goodison outfit brought their seven-game winless run to a halt in emphatic fashion.

A sixth win in the last seven meetings between the teams moved Moyes’s men a welcome five points clear of the relegation zone while denying City the chance of going top of the top-flight table at Christmas for the first time since 1929.

How City must hate the sight of Cahill. And how Everton will miss the Australian when he travels to Qatar for the Asian Cup at the beginning of next month.

Having proven the matchwinner at Eastlands on two previous occasions and scored the first in the 2-0 here in March, Cahill set Everton on their way last night with a fourth-minute opener before turning provider for Leighton Baines to curl a sumptuous second 15 minutes later.

It would be too simplistic to suggest this was yet another example of the indomitable spirit of Moyes’s men overcoming the vast riches of City.

But the manner in which Everton – missing, don’t forget, the creative force of the suspended Mikel Arteta and injured Steven Pienaar – dug deep to defend their early advantage, particularly following the needless sending-off on the hour of Victor Anichebe, spoke volumes for their steely determination and resolve, qualities that were not always apparent during the recent barren spell.

Marshalled superbly by Sylvain Distin, Everton defended heroically and, even when City did find a way through, they discovered goalkeeper Tim Howard in inspired form.

Indeed, it was telling that it took an own goal from the unfortunate Phil Jagielka to give City a glimmer of hope with 18 minutes remaining that was finally extinguished in injury time when the frustration of Roberto Mancini’s men boiled over with the dismissal of Kolo Toure.