EVERTON ARE BACK in the Champions League positions after they disposed of Norwich City 2-0 at Goodison Park.
The Toffees, who paraded new signing Aiden McGeady on the pitch before kick-off, got the better of the Canaries after a first-half goal from Gareth Barry and a sumptuous Kevin Mirallas free kick.
With Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane [and England's Roy Hodgson] watching from the stands, Seamus Coleman was the first to test John Ruddy in the Norwich goal. Mirallas had a sighter, too, before Barry opened the scoring on 23 minutes with a fine strike from 20 yards out.
Gary Hooper was the best of the Norwich attackers on show and he made Tim Howard work for two saves but the home side deserved their halt-time lead. The second Everton goal arrived on 59 minutes when Mirallas told Leighton Baines to stand back before curling the ball home from 25 yards out.
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Norwich pressed for a goal to give themselves a window back into the tie but Bradley Johnson and Nathan Redmond could not beat Howard in the Everton goal. Robert Snodgrass headed the ball off the home crossbar in the closing stages but Roberto Martinez’ men held out for the win.