Everton's forgotten man Joe-Max Moore scored the goal which brought his side three points from a forgettable match.

The American international may have scored the goals which have sent his country to the World Cup finals, but he has made little impression so far this season at Goodison Park.

That was until his second-half arrival as substitute in this dire Premiership clash.

Moore has only made five fleeting appearances as a substitute this season in the top flight and must have despaired when, in an injury crisis among his frontline, manager Walter Smith actually preferred full-back Steve Watson as a makeshift striker.

But the little striker gave the Everton boss something to think about with a brave six-yard box header to claim the points for the Merseysiders after they had dominated without making a breakthrough against the struggling visitors.

It was Moore's first senior goal in 18 months, and the victory was no more than Everton deserved, however painful it was for their fans to watch the frittering of countless chances.

Paul Gascoigne was back on the bench alongside Jesper Blomqvist, who won his first senior call-up.

Fabrizio Ravanelli failed to appear for Derby after arriving at the ground on crutches.

The Rams, with only two wins in their previous 13, had away form which gave them little confidence. One point from 21 and only three goals scored, and they arrived on Merseyside on the back of a 5-0 defeat at Manchester United.

And they did little to suggest they could change that, even though young defender Chris Riggott was outstanding. He needed to be with young keeper Andy Oakes dropping crosses and shots at will.

In the first minute Tomasz Radzinski's cross from the right flicked off Riggott and was only palmed away from the far angle by a startled Oakes at the last moment.

A minute later Mark Pembridge's cross from the other flank was spilled embarrassingly by the keeper and hacked away by Riggott.

Everton were unfortunate not to go ahead after 21 minutes, when Niclas Alexandersson curled in a flag kick and Alessandro Pistone powered a header against the foot of a post.

Chances came and went with increasing regularity before Pistone was again unlucky with another header, this time against the bar.

Everton reshuffled at the break, with Watson returning to right back and Pistone being substituted to allow Moore on in attack. But the squandering continued.

Alexandersson shot high over after what looked like handball by Luciano Zavagno, while Radzinski's header and Pembridge's fierce drive failed to break the deadlock.

Everton continued to fritter away chances, although when Gravesen sent in a clever cross from the right Youl Mawene did very well to get a toe ahead of Radzinski as he powered to the near post.

Derby's first shot did not arrive until the 59th minute when Steve Simonsen fielded a long-range effort from Pierre Ducrocq.

Then the game was deprived of its best two competitors when Gravesen, who had charged around to great effect all afternoon, clashed heads sickeningly with Darryl Powell in mid-air on the hour and both men were poleaxed.

Both were carried off on stretchers with their neck in protective braces.

It meant for Everton that Gascoigne at last got on, with Adam Bolder replacing Powell.

Gascoigne always adds an edge and his arrival encouraged Everton to mount further attacks.

And finally, after 75 minutes, they got their noses in front.

Watson's ball in from the right was flicked on by Radzinski and Moore hurled himself at the ball on the far post to bravely head past Oakes.

Everton never looked likely to lose in the final minutes, in which Gascoigne's still active football brain gave them plenty of possession and the time to defend their lead.

Teams:

Everton: Simonsen, Pistone (Moore 45), Stubbs (Unsworth 15), Weir, Naysmith, Alexandersson, Gemmill, Gravesen (Gascoigne 62), Pembridge, Watson, Radzinski.

Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Blomqvist.

Booked: Gemmill.

Goals: Moore 76.

Derby: Oakes, Elliott, Riggott, Mawene (Kinkladze 78), Zavagno, Powell (Bolder 63), Ducrocq, Grenet (Boertien 90), Carbone, Burton, Christie.

Subs Not Used: Valakari, Grant.

Booked: Riggott, Zavagno.

Att: 30,615

Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).