Everton stare into abyss

EVERTON slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season as relegation looms at Goodison Park yesterday.

Aston Villa were too quick, too well organised, and just miles better as Everton were sent reeling by a three-goal second-half barrage.

Everton were punished after only 11 minutes when Joachim ran across the face of Everton's defence and found Gary Charles out on the right. His pinpoint cross was met by Joachim, who had continued his run into the box, and the striker's header bulleted past Thomas Myhre.

You feared for Everton at this point. so much were they second best. But after 37 minutes they were level. Barmby found Spencer some 30 yards out, and the Scottish striker fired in a low shot that Madar deflected wide of Australian 'keeper Bosnich.

After 62 minutes Villa were ahead again, to nobody's surprise.

John Oster gave the ball away in midfield, and Joachim and lan Taylor took control and found Alan Wright out on the left. His sharp cross found Charles who made no mistake with a fine low drive.

After 70 minutes Villa stretched their lead after Short's tackle sent Joachim spinning in the box, and although the linesman gave a corner, referee Barry was adamant that it was a penalty even after consulting his colleague.

Joachim stepped up to hammer the spot kick past Myhre, and the roof was really falling in on Everton.

Nine minutes from time Yorke really rubbed it in when he raced onto a Hendrie pass, took the ball round Myhre as he rushed out of his box, and cooly slipped the ball into the empty net.