Everton made it two wins from two without Marouane Fellain in their ranks with what was ultimately a fairly comfortable 2-1 victory at Goodison Park against Wigan Athletic and their accompaniment, a (fairly small) horde of giant walking bananas. Wigan, as is their wont, made a game of it, matching their hosts for most of the first half before going down to goals from Leon Osman and Phil Jagielka.
Everton vs. Wigan Athletic: Final score 2-1, Toffees get deserved win
Chris Brunskill
Before the opener, the closest either side came to scoring was a brilliant effort from Toffees midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, who took a fantastic touch before spanking the ball into the woodwork from long range, but Everton's misfortune in not going ahead there was made up for in short order when Osman saw his weak shot deflect off Gary Caldwell and go in past a wrong-footed Ali Al-Habsi.
Phil Jagielka scored from a corner kick 20 minutes later, his first Premier League goal in more than twelve months, and although Arouna Kone managed to pull one back for the Latics with a scrambled finish 82 minutes in, a comeback never looked as though it was on the cards.
The bad news for the hosts was the loss of Darron Gibson 46 minutes in -- the midfielder was withdrawn for Steven Naismith with what looks like a moderately serious injury. With Fellaini still suspended for one more match, should Gibson be forced to miss time it would leave Everton dangerously light in midfield.
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