Everton v Fulham
Everton have ensured it was a very Good Friday indeed for fans of the Blues with an impressive 4-1 home victory over Chris Coleman's Fulham.
David Moyes' men had the opportunity to move up from seventh to fifth place with this fixture. And they did just that, turning the heat up on Bolton and Tottenham ahead of their Saturday fixtures.
The victory ensures it is now just one defeat from 10 fixtures for Everton, who boast the best defensive record outside the top four and a superior goal difference that gives them the edge over their rivals for a UEFA Cup berth.
For the first time this season, Everton came from behind to record a win.
Fulham got the opener on 22 minutes. But by half-time the home side had built up a two goal advantage courtesy of three well-crafted efforts from Lee Carsley, Alan Stubbs and James Vaughan.
Substitute Victor Anichebe added another 10 minutes from time to ensure this was the biggest league victory of the season.
It was an entertaining game that got off to a lively start.
Indeed, the first shot on goal came after just 60 seconds, with Fulham's Liam Rosenior driving high and wide from the edge of the box. Alexey Smertin was more accurate six minutes later, but it was not a problem for Tim Howard to gather.
That was not the case for Antti Niemi at the other end seconds later though. Mikel Arteta sprinted onto a ball down the inside left and produced a powerful left-footed half-volley that Niemi could only parry, forcing the defence to hurriedly guide the ball out for a corner.
James Vaughan slams the ball home to make it three before half-time
It was the first sight of goal for the Blues - and signalled a brighter period for the home side, with James Vaughan scuffing the ball goalwards and forcing Niemi into action on 15 minutes.
That effort came during a period in the game when the Blues were reduced to 10 men. A clash of heads with Fulham's Brian McBride left Carsley nursing a gashed head.
He was forced off the pitch to have a bandage applied and to change into a clean shirt. His return to the field after five minutes on the sidelines earned warm applause from the appreciative crowd.
And that appreciation intensified in the 25th minute when the battle-scarred Irish international slid in superbly from 12 yards to glance a shot across Niemi and into the corner of the net from a Joleon Lescott low cross.
That came just two minutes after Fulham's opener.
US defender Carlos Bocanegra headed past his international teammate from a corner to leave Everton stunned.
But having dragged themselves back into the game superbly, the Blues pressed for another goal and Johnson forced Niemi into another good stop just before the half-hour, the keeper's parry presenting Vaughan with a chance. Unfortunately, the teenager stabbed wide with his right-foot.
Tony Hibbert challenges former teammate Simon Davies
But the Blues' frustrations did not last long. Alan Stubbs produced his first goal since returning to Goodison from Sunderland in January 2006.
His deft header from an Arteta free-kick wide on the right was within Niemi's grasp as he dived low to his right but he couldn't prevent the ball scrambling inside the far post to the delight of the home crowd.
Stubbs' first goal for the Blues since his strike against Portsmouth in January 2005, it was a vital effort. It was also the first time in the Premiership this season Everton have recovered from a deficit to put themselves into the lead in a contest.
Not content with the one goal lead, though, Everton continued to press. And in a moment of role reversal four minutes before the interval, Johnson produced a pinpoint cross to pick out Arteta, only for the Spanish midfielder to send his header wide under pressure from Bocanegra.
Vaughan then struck the post at the culmination of a flowing move that was scintilating to behold.
He was not to be denied a minute later, with the half-time whistle looming. It was a thrilling way to end a memorable half with the young striker volleying impressively into the roof of the net from an Arteta centre.
Fulham tried to turn things around after the interval, with Brian McBride glancing a header narrowly wide of the upright on 54 minutes, Zat Knight heading over from a set-piece and Davies testing Howard with another headed effort as the visitors enjoyed longer spells of possession in the Everton half.
Lee Carsley celebrates his goal
But the brunt of the most eye-catching and incisive attacking play was being produced by the boys in Blue. Johnson was showing what a good footballer he is with some neat passing as part of some clean attacking moves.
But with a two goal lead to protect, there was less urgency going forward.
Nevertheless, a good header from Johnson forced a finger-tip save from Niemi and a driven effort from Vaughan forced the keeper into action again as the game entered its final quarter.
That was Vaughan's last involvement before being replaced by Anichebe.
Within seconds of arriving on the field he had netted a great effort, the culmination of a flowing passing move he started.
James Vaughan is congratulated on his goal
His neat side-footed effort from 18 yards was arguably the pick of the bunch from the Blues.
There was still time for Howard to show his quality with a save to deny Heidar Helguson, but had it found the net it would merely have been a consolation for the Cottagers.
The fact two teenagers and two of the club's most experienced players were on the scoresheet underlined the qualities that have made Everton so resilient and yet so vibrant in recent weeks. Roll on Bolton!
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