Barclays Premier League
Gareth Davis reports from Goodison Park

Leon Osman struck the only goal of the game to send Derby to a narrow defeat in a tight encounter on Merseyside.

The little midfielder, a Pride Park favourite during his loan spell in 2003/04, fired home from just inside the box nine minutes after half-time.

Roy Carroll and opposite number Tim Howard both made fine saves though Derby will feel they could have taken something from the game, particularly when Tito Villa went clean through in the second period.

But the Rams showed far more confidence than for large periods during the season and passed the ball around with plenty of confidence.

Jay McEveley's return to the bench was Derby's only change on Merseyside from the matchday 16 on duty for the 2-2 draw at home to Fulham eight days previously.

The Scouser, against the club he supports, took over from teenager Jason Beardsley, who was out in his kit before the game to get another taste of the Premier League occasion.

Everton had the early pressure as they forced a couple of quick corners, one which saw Dean Leacock head down and over his own bar, and they threatened again on four minutes.

Derby were slow to organise themselves for a free-kick and it eventually fell to Leon Osman, who fouled Andy Todd while trying to force the ball over the line.

But the visitors forced their way forward through Hossam Ghaly, looking lively early on, and a good chance followed after the Egyptian robbed Manuel Fernandes in midfield.

Ghaly slipped the ball to Kenny Miller, who in turn fed it right for Mile Sterjovski to drive low and force Tim Howard to save.

The next opportunity was also Derby's as David Jones saw a 20-yarder deflected wide, though Everton responded on 14 with a stirring Mikel Arteta run that ultimately saw him curl his effort safely over.

Then came what has to be regarded as one of the misses of the season eight minutes later.

Leighton Baines created space down the left and slipped across a lovely low ball that was begging for Yakubu to fire home from close range - but somehow the Nigerian scooped his effort over the bar with the goal gaping.

Andy Todd was the first name in referee Andre Marriner's notebook on 28 for a lunge on Osman that gave Everton a free-kick wide on the left.

Arteta swung it over dangerously but Roy Carroll was out to claim well.

Phil Neville followed suit for a foul on Robbie Savage, though it was perhaps a little harsh, and Derby failed to take advantage of their set-piece.

A classic first half-hour it most certainly was not, though if either team had any form of edge it was Derby due to the fact that they were far more relaxed than in recent weeks while the home side could be deemed to be feeling the pressure of the chase for fourth.

Everton were presented with a great shooting opportunity three minutes before half-time as Tito Villa was harshly pulled for a nudge on Lee Carsley, but Arteta curled the free-kick over from just outside the box.

Carsley headed an Arteta corner safely wide of the post shortly before half-time somewhat limply arrived.

Neither side made a change during the interval but it was Derby who threatened first after the break with Ghaly once again instrumental.

The on-loan man drove forward and dropped a clever back-heel into the path of Jones, who forced Howard to save smartly with a powerful right-footer.

Though the first substitution wasn't too far in coming as Tyrone Mears took over from Sterjovski and headed straight out to the right of midfield.

At the other end Carroll had to be sharp to push away Manuel Fernandes's drive as the game, at last, looked as though it was sparking into some form of life.

And the opening goal eventually arrived nine minutes after the break.

Fernandes picked up the ball on the left and picked out Osman with a fine pass, giving the former Derby favourite a relatively simple task to hammer his shot past Carroll.

Osman and Fernandes had swapped positions at half-time, the former now central and the latter on the left, and it had paid dividends.

Only another fine Carroll save prevented Osman from doubling his tally on the hour.

Derby should have been level on 64 however as Villa was sent scampering away behind the Everton defence from Todd's pass, but Howard was out to block well on the edge of his area.

Though the home side had their tails up and another good move involving Fernandes ultimately saw Osman again denied by Carroll.

Ghaly picked up a 73rd-minute caution for tugging back Andrew Johnson, and could have no complaints.

Skipper Savage was into the book ten minutes later after hacking down Arteta, with the game settling down into a slow pace again.

Derby had enjoyed a few good spells of possession but hadn't been able to take advantage.

Carroll even went up for a corner deep into stoppage-time and remained there as the Rams forced another flag-kick but an equaliser wouldn't come their way.

EVERTON: Howard, Baines, Yobo, Lescott, Arteta (Valente 90), Johnson, Neville (C), Osman, Yakubu (Anichebe 74), Fernandes (Jagielka 77), Carsley.

SUBS: Wessells (GK), Gravesen.

DERBY: Carroll, Leacock, Jones, Villa, Miller, Lewis, Todd, Sterjovski (Mears 49), Moore, Ghaly, Savage (C).

SUBS: Price (GK), McEveley, Earnshaw, Feilhaber.

ATTENDANCE: 36,017.

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