Toffees ride their luck as Euro ambitions growing

There will be many twists and turns yet but a hard earned, as well as controversial, victory over Wigan Athletic ensured Everton reached the halfway stage of the season with qualification for next season’s Champions League a realistic prospect.

Goals by Leon Osman, with the aid of a heavy deflection off Gary Caldwell’s hand, and Phil Jagielka earned David Moyes a third win in four games and left Wigan once again facing a fight against relegation during the second half of the campaign.

Should Everton overcome Rafael Benitez’s Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday, then they will start 2013 in third place in the table and well placed to earn a place at the top table of European football in 2013-14.