Everton defender Seamus Coleman's goal from the tightest of angles secured a precious 1-0 victory over fellow Premier League strugglers Leeds United at Goodison Park to move the Merseyside club out of the relegation zone.
The decisive moment came after 64 minutes when Alex Iwobi sent Coleman clear down the flank and, with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier expecting a cross, the Republic of Ireland right-back arrowed his shot into the net from virtually the byline.
It was a deserved win for Everton who created numerous opportunities but, as has been the case for much of the season, the league’s lowest scorers' lack of quality in the attacking third meant too many shots, passes and crosses went astray.
Everton moved up to 16th place with 21 points from 23 games, a point above the drop zone, having taken six points from three games under new coach Sean Dyche.
Leeds slipped into the relegation zone with 19 points.
Leeds, who failed to get a shot on target in the 90 minutes, have now matched their club record of 10 Premier League games without a win and the result may hasten their search for a new permanent manager with Michael Skubala in temporary charge following the sacking of Jesse Marsch a fortnight ago.
Everton might also have had a couple of goals in the first half as Amadou Onana fired two shots wide from good positions, and Leeds midfielder Weston McKennie cleared off the line twice in a matter of seconds.
Bournemouth moved out of the relegation zone after a second-half goal from Marcus Tavernier guided them to a 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The south-coast club climbed to 17th, a point above the drop zone, after their first win since the World Cup break.
The hosts started strongly at Molineux with several early forays into Bournemouth's penalty area, but were unable to make the most of their momentum in the first half.
Pablo Sarabia and Adama Traore, who was a constant threat down the right, found the target with shots from tight angles, but their efforts were comfortably saved by Neto.
Gary O'Neil's visitors began the second half on the front foot and were rewarded with a goal in the 50th minute as Dominic Solanke squared for Tavernier to bundle in with his thigh.
Wolves piled on the pressure as they desperately sought an equaliser and Ruben Neves stung Neto's palm with a long-range effort in added time but Bournemouth stood firm to earn their first away clean sheet of the season.
Manor Solomon secured a smash-and-grab 1-0 victory for Fulham at Brighton & Hove Albion in the battle of European qualification hopefuls on the south coast.
Israel international Solomon struck in the 88th minute after Brighton had dominated throughout the contest, sending Marco Silva's side above the hosts into sixth place in the table.
Brighton, who had gone five games unbeaten in the league, were left to rue a failure to take their chances with 20 goal attempts compared to just five for Fulham.
Facundo Buonanotte and Solly March both had the ball in the net for Brighton but were denied by offside flags.
Vitaly Janelt snatched a dramatic Brentford injury-time equaliser against Crystal Palace to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 matches.
Palace were on the brink of a first win in 2023 after substitute Eberechi Eze headed them in front.
Eze's goal was his fourth of the season and only shot-shy Palace's 21st from their 23 Premier League matches.
The visitors also successfully shackled Bees sharp-shooter Ivan Toney, with Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen rock solid at the back.
But in the sixth minute of stoppage time another sub, Janelt, struck to secure a 1-1 draw for the high-flying hosts.
Brentford had more than their fair share of chances, though, and almost opened the scoring after seven minutes when, after a spot of head tennis in the Palace area, Christian Norgaard volleyed narrowly wide.
Moments later Palace midfielder Michael Olise's fierce drive was tipped over the crossbar by Bees keeper David Raya.
Brentford appealed for a penalty early in the second half when Toney spun in the area and fell under Andersen's challenge, but referee Paul Tierney waved play on.
Moments later Palace almost caught the Bees out on the counter-attack but Jeffrey Schlupp's header flew wide.
Norgaard glanced a header just off target from Aaron Hickey's free-kick and Guaita came out of his goal smartly to deny Yoane Wissa as he raced through on goal.
Guaita then held Norgaard's shot before Palace threatened with Jordan Ayew's cross headed wide by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The goal arrived in the 69th minute when Ayew raided down the Brentford right and pulled the ball back across goal.
It was played out to Olise who lifted the ball back into the area for Eze to powerfully head home.
Brentford attempted to hit back with Toney making room for himself in the area only to blaze his shot over the crossbar.
Palace almost had a second late on when new signing Naouirou Ahamada's shot beat Raya's dive, but the ball rolled inches wide of the far post.
Instead, as the clock ticked down, Mbeumo crossed from the right and Janelt buried the header to secure a point.
