Bramble a thorny issue for Bruce

TITUS BRAMBLE added another horrific defensive error to his lengthy CV as Everton clinically ground out a third straight Premiership win to add even more weight to David Moyes’ claims that his team can last the course in the race for fourth place.

Since a Bramble blunder 20 seconds into Steve Bruce’s first game in charge in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the start of December, the former Manchester United centre-back has been pleased with the work of the much-maligned defender.

But with Wigan, who had lost once in their previous seven matches, well on top at the JJB Stadium yesterday, Bramble failed to make contact on a straight-forward back-pass to allow Andy Johnson to race clear to slip the ball through Chris Kirkland’s legs six minutes before the interval.