Everton 3
Yakubu 1,81 Cahill 73
Portsmouth 1
Defoe 38
Everton 3 Portsmouth 1 March 02 2008
Ayegbeni Yakubu grabbed two goals against his former club Portsmouth as Everton reclaimed fourth spot in the Premier League.
Liverpool, winners earlier in the day at Bolton, had taken fourth place - but their hold on it did not last long.
Everton rose to the challenge instantly and took the lead inside a minute through Yakubu's close range header after Joseph Yobo headed on Steven Pienaar's free-kick.
Jermain Defoe (38) got the slightest of touches to Glen Johnson's cross to cancel out Yakubu's strike.
And Pompey appeared capable of snatching a point - but the Toffees raised their game and introduction of sub Andrew Johnson swung the game in the home side's favour.
Tim Cahill (73) headed his 10th goal of the season before Yakubu (81) blasted his 18th after collecting a long ball and cutting inside Sol Campbell.