Taylor gifts Toffees

Maik Taylor's howler enabled Simon Davies to earn Everton victory in the battle of the Premiership strugglers and plunged Birmingham deeper into trouble.

The Northern Ireland number one allowed a straightforward drive from Davies to slip from his grasp shortly before half-time.

There was unbridled joy among the Everton supporters at the final whistle upon achieving only their second league win of the campaign as they leapfrogged above their opponents.

It was just the tonic the Toffees needed for after the big lift in confidence gained from last weekend's draw with runaway leaders Chelsea.

They survived a searching examination in the second 45 minutes from the home side and it was similar to the resolute performances which earned them a Champions League spot last season.

But City's unhappy start to the season is reaching crisis proportions and they have now collected just a single point out of a possible 18 on home soil.

Blues manager Steve Bruce has been assured his job is safe and has already indicated a January spending spree will be required to overcome a crippling injury list.

But his side need to start picking up points or they could find themselves adrift of the bottom three before the transfer window reopens.

Once again the Emile Heskey and Mikael Forssell strike partnership failed to deliver and the latter looks a shadow of the player who scored 19 goals two seasons ago.

The Everton defence, with David Weir and Joseph Yobo outstanding, shut up shop effectively and the main spark for Blues was provided by substitute Neil Kilkenny.

He provided enthusiasm, energy and some decisive passing and came closest to salvaging a point with a free-kick which hit the inside of a post.

City began promisingly and on-loan Chelsea midfielder Jiri Jarosik, who had scored a spectacular winner against Norwich in the Carling Cup in midweek, had a well-struck effort blocked.

Everton striker Duncan Ferguson, recalled alongside James Beattie in attack, got on the end of a ball in from the right wing by Mikel Arteta but his first-time flick flew just past Taylor's post.

Jamie Clapham had to come across quickly to deny James Beattie a goalscoring opportunity after a Ferguson flick-on.

Pennant had scored with a deflected free-kick against Norwich in midweek but, when he attempted a similar effort after being fouled by Tony Hibbert, his 30-yard shot sailed straight at Nigel Martyn.

It was 29 minutes before Taylor was called into the first meaningful save of the game.

Tony Hibbert arrowed in a dipping and powerful centre from the right flank and Cahill's glancing header was turned around the post by the Northern Ireland keeper.

Beattie flashed a header wide from Cahill's cross before Birmingham were forced to replace the injured Nicky Butt with youngster Kilkenny.

Given the physical presence of both sides in attack via Heskey and Ferguson, they would have been disappointed with the quality of crosses into the box.

Kilkenny was soon in the thick of the action and he was not afraid to try his luck from long range but sliced his shot well off target.

Blues appeal optimistically for a penalty when Jarosik was challenged by Arteta but a blunder from Taylor handed Everton the lead after 42 minutes.

Davies had time to line up a shot after Andy van der Meyde released him 30 yards out. His effort contained plenty of power but Taylor should have dealt with the low effort but only parried into his own net.

Jarosik had an opportunity to strike back immediately but his fierce drive was beaten out by Martyn.

Pennant reverted back to the right flank at the start of the second period and there was better balance to the home side.

Kilkenny threaded a fine pass into the path of Forssell but he was crowded out by two Everton defenders.

Martyn turned a shot on the turn from Heskey around the post after a flick-on from Heskey as Blues made a promising start to the second period.

A first-time ball from Jarosik played in Forssell but his lack of sharpness was highlighted as Yobo was able to come across and cover.

City were at last asking questions of the Everton rearguard, with former Arsenal trainee Kilkenny providing the spark, and Martyn saved a low curling effort from Pennant at the foot of a post.

Taylor atoned for his costly error when he turned a close-range effort from Beattie around the post following a flick-on from Ferguson. An overhead kick from Tim Cahill was also only too high.

A mistake by Martin Taylor let in Ferguson but Maik Taylor again did well to hold onto his close range header as the game began to open out.

Kilkenny continued to drive City forward and he could only hold his head in disbelief after his free-kick beat the dive of Martyn, struck the inside of the post and bounced across the face of goal.