David Moyes hoping for more festive joy at Everton

Toffees beat Wigan 2-1 on Boxing Day

David Moyes (GETTY IMAGES)

Everton boss David Moyes is already happy with his side's Christmas return - but has no intention of easing up.

The Toffees recorded their second win of the festive season - and extended their unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to seven games - with a 2-1 Boxing Day victory over Wigan at Goodison Park.

It kept them joint fourth in the table, just two points behind third-placed Chelsea, their opponents on Sunday.

Moyes said: "Over the Christmas period you are just trying to win the games and come out of the other end of it in no worse a position.

"We have six points from the two games and we might have settled for that at the start but we have now got another couple of games - Chelsea at home and then Newcastle away - and then you are probably talking about the Christmas period being over.

"We will try to take some points from them and keep moving up."

Moyes accepted his side were made to work hard for their latest victory by an enterprising and luckless Wigan side in heavy rain.

It took until the 52nd minute for Leon Osman to break the deadlock with a long-range shot which took a deflection off Gary Caldwell's arm.

Wigan appealed in vain for a penalty after Shaun Maloney went down in a challenge with Osman and Phil Jagielka compounded their anguish when he headed in a Phil Neville cross off the crossbar.

Neville's assist marked his 500th Premier League appearance in style but Everton had to defend deeply after Arouna Kone bundled in an 82nd-minute reply.

Moyes said: "Wigan played well and I have to give them credit.

"They will do the same to most teams and they don't get enough credit for the way they pass the ball and the way they play.

"I thought before half-time we were starting to look the better side but we are never comfortable because of the way Wigan play.

"We just raised it a bit at half-time and it made the difference."

Moyes was concerned that Osman might have been penalised for the Maloney incident.

The Wigan players were incensed referee Lee Mason did not point to the spot and Jean Beausejour was booked for his protest.

Moyes said: "My first thought from the bench was, 'This could be a penalty kick'."

Replays suggested Maloney's fall might have begun before what was definite contact with Osman, but Latics manager Roberto Martinez had no doubt his team had been hard done to.

Martinez, whose side remain in the bottom three after six games without a win, said: "He goes past his defender easily and there is no need for him to go down but I think if you look at Leon Osman's reaction it tells you everything.

"Leon Osman just went away and showed a face of feeling that he got away with that incident.

"I don't really understand what the referee saw and I am getting a bit tired of talking about these moments."

PA