Blues' long wait for a Goodison Park victory goes on, as they returned empty-handed from the North-West after being cruelly denied a point by a last minute screamer from Lee Carsley and a final blow from James Vaughan.

Blues fell behind early on to a well-worked Yakubu goal and trailed at the interval before Olivier Kapo's headed equaliser looked to have given the visitors a point.

But two minutes into additional time, Carsley hit a thunderbolt beyond Maik Taylor and Vaughan compounded Blues' misery with a third goal at the death.

Steve Bruce made two changes in personnel from the side which had recorded a priceless victory against Wigan Athletic last weekend at St. Andrew's for the visit to the north-west.

Sebastian Larsson came in for Walter Palacios, whilst there was a welcome return for Johan Djourou who replaced Franck Queudrue.

It was Blues who got the game underway, backed by a small but vociferous band of support.

The first chance of a fairly scrappy opening came in the eighth minute, as the home side produced a fine move.

Stubbs released Pienaar on the left and his low cross was inviting Yakubu to score from eight yards until Liam Ridgewell intervened to concede a corner.

It was a clear warning to Blues, and they failed to heed it, as just a minute later Everton broke the deadlock.

Arteta split the Blues defence apart with a delightful through ball, Pienaar rolled the ball across the area, for Yakubu to finish, delicately lifting the ball over Taylor.

There was almost worse to follow for Blues, as Ridgewell's attempted clearance bounced back off Cahill and looked as though it was on the way in, but Taylor reacted smartly.

Blues were finding it difficult to keep possession for any length of time, although Schmitz's fine cross forced the hosts to concede a corner which came to nothing.

Blues' first real chance came on the quarter hour, with Kapo weaving his way through two challenges before testing Howard with a low drive which the keeper did well to parry and Lescott was on hand to complete the clearance.

Everton were forced to make a substitution midway through the first half. Alan Stubbs was replaced by Phil Jagielka.

Soon after, Blues were almost two behind, as Djourou's slip on the edge of the area let in Yakubu, who was foiled by Taylor as he tried to lift the ball over the advancing keeper.

Almost instantly, Arteta teed up Carsley whose side-foot was straight at Taylor.

On the half hour, Djourou was lucky to escape being the first player cautioned for scything down Yakubu from behind.

The big striker required treatment, but returned soon after, to see Tim Cahill come close to increasing the lead with a 30 yard screamer which flew inches past a post.

Blues responded with Daniel de Ridder's long range effort which failed to trouble Howard.

Stephen Kelly became the first player to be booked, when he crudely tackled Pienaar in the 37th minute.

As the half drew to a close, Blues finally managed to retain possession long enough to put the home side under pressure, resulting in Cameron Jerome finding space on the edge of the area before firing over the bar.

Half Time: Everton 1 Blues 0

There were no changes for Blues as the teams re-appeared for the second half, and the home side too remained unchanged.

Blues were almost caught cold at the start of the second period, as Arteta's quick free kick gave Yakubu a clear run on goal but the striker flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Bruce made his first substitution in the 52nd minute, replacing Garry O'Connor with Larsson as Blues sought a way back into the game.

The sub was immediately involved, exchanging passes with Kapo before trying his luck from just inside the area, but the shot lacked the power to trouble Howard.

The game had become very scrappy with neither side managing to create much in terms of chances.

The best moment of the second half came when Lee Carsley tried a spectacular volley which just cleared Taylor's bar.

With just under 20 minutes left, Bruce brought on Gary McSheffrey to replace Nafti.

Blues were committing more players into attack as the game reached the final quarter of an hour.

The visitors made another change, with Forssell coming on for de Ridder, and moments later Blues were back in the game.

McSheffrey's corner was perfect for Kapo to head in from eight yards, with a hint of a deflection off Phil Neville.

Everton's response was to bring on Vaughan for Osman and the home side suddenly began to play with greater urgency and Djourou denied Vaughan with a last ditch tackle.

David Moyes made his final change in the 86th minute, as Pienaar was replaced by Gravesen.

Blues almost won the game, with McSheffrey sending in a rasping drive that Howard did well to hold, as Bruce's team looked to win a game that had looked beyond them.

The home side were soon back on the attack as the match entered the four minutes of additional time.

The game was heading for a draw when substitute Carsley unleashed a powerful drive that gave Taylor no chance to send the home crowd wild.

And as Blues were reeling from that late blow, Vaughan raced through to add an undeserved third for the hosts.

Bruce's team have a week to recover before next week's eagerly-awaited Second City derby.

Full Time: Everton 3 Blues 1

Blues: Taylor, Kelly, Ridgewell, Djourou, Schmitz, Larsson (O'Connor 52), Muamba, Nafti (McSheffrey 72), De Ridder (Forssell 79), Kapo, Jerome.
Subs (not used): Kingson, Danns
Bookings: Kelly (37)
Goals: Kapo (80)

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Stubbs (Jagielka 23), Lescott, Arteta, Carsley, Cahill, Osman (Vaughan 81), Pienaar (Gravesen 86), Yakubu
Subs (not used): Wessels, McFadden
Bookings: None
Goals: Yakubu 10, Carsley 90(+2), Vaughan 90(+3)