Pienaar Better

Everton, scuppered by poor results in recent times that has seen their quest for a BPL Champions League place hit a temporary knock, were back to their best in yesterday's convincing 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Reading.

With Slovenian Jan Mucha in goal in place of the injured Tim Howard, Evertonians may have been more than a bit worried considering their club's recent inability to keep a clean sheet, but all fears failed to materialise as Mucha proved more than adept between the Goodison sticks.

At the end of an attritional first half that looked pretty even, Everton exploded to life by taking the goal in a typical, familiar way. For a change, the build-up came from the right this time, with Marouane Fellaini feeding the ball out to Seamus Coleman on the wing, then harrying into position in the Reading penalty area. I could almost smell what was coming next, as Coleman manoeuvred into crossing position belfore unleashing an inviting cross for Fellaini to head home.

In the second half, Everton continued to get the better of things, then came a sublime moment that literally took me out of my seat. The game was fast becoming The Steven Pienaar Show, and the South African validated that theme by going on a mazy run that started just inside the Reading half and culminated with a left-foot sizzler that roared its way into the Reading net.

More good things were to come for the Toffees as Kevin Mirallas proceeded to show his skills. Turning the Reading defence inside and out, he went close with a cross-shot before delivering the Real McCoy, slotting home with his right foot after being put through by another Pienaar assist.

Reading did get one back through a fine header from substitute Hal Robson-Kanu, but it was too little, too late. Everton remain hot on the heels of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham for a Champions League place. Perhaps the only downside for them is the continued lack of confidence and form of their main striker Nikica Jelavic. He had a few decent chances but scuffed them yet again; he is really struggling in his overall play right now. It looks like his legs have turned to Jelly.