Radzinski shows Everton dizzy heights

Everton 1 Charlton Athletic

Everton look so much more like a team with a Premiership future under the guidance of David Moyes that Charlton's 3-0 win at Goodison only 10 months ago seems a distant memory – the thought of another season haunted by the threat of relegation can surely be banished for the Blues.

However, their fourth straight victory yesterday – achieved through Tomasz Radzinski's first-half goal, which lifted them to a heady fourth place in the Premiership, was a slender and uneasy one in the end. Charlton played better than a side now identified as candidates for the drop and deserved better than to suffer their eighth defeat of the season. Only goal difference is keeping them out of the bottom three, a position which their manager, Alan Curbishley, reflected on by pointing out ruefully that spirited effort counts for nothing if they win no points.

"Everton are having a good run at the moment and I'm pleased for David," Curbishley said, gracious in defeat. "We could say we were unlucky but that has been the case a few times lately and while we are making mistakes and not taking our chances we are not going to get away from where we are."

Their performance certainly surprised a Goodison crowd who came to revel in Everton's best start to a Premiership season and clearly felt a team arriving with one win from their last eight top-flight matches ought not to represent too testing a hurdle for a team chasing a sixth win in eight.

However, by keeping the space between defence and midfield tightly closed they smothered most of Everton's early attempts to work within range of goal, even though the weight of possession rested with the home side.

Indeed, Charlton had chances to get their own noses in front. A legitimate claim for a penalty was rejected by the referee, Rob Styles, when the defender Tony Hibbert clipped the heels of Claus Jensen in the 15th minute. A well-struck, low drive by Robbie Mustoe seven minutes later was gathered by the goalkeeper, Richard Wright, only at the second attempt. Mustoe should then have taken advantage of a blunder by David Unsworth and the former Middlesbrough midfielder was made to regret missing the target still more when Everton capitalised on Charlton's first real error.

The ever-alert Thomas Gravesen, whose return compensated for the loss of Tobias Linderoth through injury, dispossessed Mustoe in midfield and when the Dane found Radzinski with an instant through ball, his marker Richard Rufus was not covering the danger. The Canadian international, restored to the Everton line-up in place of Wayne Rooney after the teenager had started the cup tie at Newcastle, had time and space to plant the ball firmly beyond Kiely's reach to record his fourth goal of the season.

Where Everton have improved beyond recognition since the final days of Walter Smith's reign is in the inventiveness of their passing. It is not unusual these days for the ball to be moved around the field between blue shirts, and quite often with something promising on the end of it.

They began the second half with increased confidence, Hibbert almost doubling their lead with a 30-yarder that Kiely was happy to beat away. Then Radzinski capped a fine move with a clever turn to make space for himself on the left, cutting back past Rufus and Mark Fish to set up a shot. Pity he blazed high and wide.

The vulnerability of a 1-0 lead was emphasised as Radzinski fluffed another chance soon afterwards, getting under the ball again. By this time, Charlton had ventured upfield meaningfully for the first time since going behind and Hibbert had headed off his line from Fish. When Kevin Lisbie missed narrowly with Wright beaten, a little nervousness on the terraces could be forgiven.

Rooney made his anticipated late appearance eager to put the matter beyond doubt but the youngster was kept quiet this time. Hearts were in mouths again when Scott Parker ended a charge through the middle with another close attempt and Everton greeted the final whistle with some relief, although, given that it is 11 years since they last won four matches in a row, they could still celebrate.

Moyes cautioned against growing too excited. "It is great for the fans, but I only look at the table at the end of the season," he said. "It's my job to keep things even and not get carried away."

Everton 1 Charlton Athletic 0
Radzinski 31

Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 37,621