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EVERTON shrugged off a crippling injury crisis to earn a deserved win at Eastlands today.

The failure of Louis Saha (hamstring) and Victor Anichebe (back) to recover form injuries left David Moyes with no fit strikers to call on – but the goal threat of Tim Cahill made that an irrelevance.

The Australian, who played as a lone striker for most of the game, rose to meet Leon Osman’s injury time corner and send the travelling Merseysiders back down the M62 in celebratory mood.

The lack of selection options meant Segundo Castillo was drafted in for his first action in three months – but his composed performance in midfield that epitomised Everton’s fighting spirit and refusal to allow City a foothold in the match.

Leon Osman came close after five minutes with a shot that crept wide of Joe Hart’s far post as Everton made a lively start.

And they were centimetres from taking the lead five minutes later when Miklel Arteta’s beautifully clipped free-kick struck the crossbar, with Marouane Fellaini also close with his header from the rebound.

City, however, looked more dangerous in possession. Stephen Ireland missed a good chance when put clean through then Tim Howard flung himself to his right to deny Robinho.

Fellaini was off target with another header after being left unmarked from a corner before Everton had a good shout for a penalty turned down when Michael Ball appeared to pull Osman back from meeting Fellaini’s cross.

Howard had to be alert to deny Elano as the end-to-end flow of the game continued – with Hart then blocking Arteta’s fierce drive from the edge of the area.

Shaun Wright-Phillips then threatened with a trademark run and shot, only to be denied a goal by the bar.