On this evidence Coventry's 34th consecutive season in the top flight may well be their last.

It may have been a battle of two relegation candidates but Everton played like they have one eye on Europe, aided by a limp and error-ridden performance from Gordon Strachan's Sky Blues.

Strachan had to endure calls for his head from Coventry fans for the first time during his four years in charge and the pressure will never have been greater on the Scot.

This had looked a home banker for Coventry as injury-ravaged Everton had not won at Highfield Road since 1993, had two points from their previous seven Premiership games and the Sky Blues had been on a good run until last week's 3-1 defeat by Newcastle.

But if the writing had been on the wall, Everton clearly could not read it. Inspired by goals from Scot Gemmill, Danny Cadamarteri and Kevin Campbell, plus a classy display from Michael Ball in central defence, the Merseysiders decided to write their own script.

By half-time Coventry were 3-0 down and their hopes of taking anything out of the match had gone out of the window, no doubt followed swiftly by Strachan's teacup and saucer during the half-time team talk.

It took a mere seven minutes for Gemmill to give Everton the edge. Gary Breen lost the ball in the middle of the field, Cadamarteri played an excellent pass to free Gemmill and the Everton midfielder advanced to the edge of the box before placing a low shot to the left of Coventry goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

It was a huge setback for Coventry, who had lost just one of their previous six matches. For Everton boss Walter Smith, down to only 11 fit senior players and forced to field a bench full of young reserves, it was the perfect start.

Everton's second goal came in the 15th minute. Coventry were on the attack when Everton broke upfield through Cadamarteri, who picked out Idan Tal on the left. The Israeli hit a brilliant sweeping pass which Campbell let run to Niclas Alexandersson.

The Swede curled in a low cross and Cadamarteri, who must have run 70 yards, showed good control before firing past Kirkland. Coventry were not just 2-0 down but had yet to mount a meaningful attack.

Strachan realised he had to do something and threw on Carlton Palmer as a centre-back in place of Mo Konjic after less than half an hour.

Smith was forced into a change at the same time, Phil Jevons coming on for the injured Alexandersson.

But it was business as usual as Everton rattled in their third goal with the Sky Blues' defence all over the shop.

Jevons' first meaningful involvement saw him bundle his way past some weak tackling on the right and pick out Campbell on the penalty spot. He spun and shot and though Breen blocked his first effort it bounced kindly for Campbell to fire into an empty goal.

Five minutes before the break Carsley's free-kick from 25 yards was finally on target but was struck tamely straight at Thomas Myhre. "On goal, you've had a shot on goal," cheered the Everton fans.

Kirkland then stopped Coventry faces becoming even redder when he dived low to his left to divert Campbell's shot after the striker had tricked his way into a shooting position.

Coventry bucked their ideas up in the second half but Everton were never going to let this game slip.

Campbell and Cadamarteri struck fear into Coventry with nearly every attack and Campbell's pass enabled his strike partner to try his luck but the angle was against him and his shot was always going wide.

Ten minutes into the second period Coventry nearly forced a goal of their own. A hectic goalmouth scramble saw Myhre let a high cross drop and the ball bobbled in the box before Watson finally headed clear.

With an hour gone the proceedings had become too much for one (male) Coventry fan who showed his displeasure by streaking down the touchline.

David Thompson hit the near post with a corner before Myhre came charging out of his area to haul down Carsley for a penalty.

Carsley himself hammered home the spot-kick and it made for a hectic last five minutes, but Everton held firm.

This could be the result which rescues Everton's season. For Strachan and Coventry, however, the future looks bleak.

Teams:

Coventry: Kirkland, Edworthy, Quinn, Breen, Konjic (Palmer 26), Thompson, Eustace, Carsley, Telfer (Chippo 45), Zuniga (Aloisi 59), Hadji.

Subs Not Used: Hedman, Bothroyd.

Goals: Carsley 86 pen.

Everton: Myhre, Steve Watson, Ball, Unsworth, Cleland (Clarke 32), Tal, Gemmill, Alexandersson (Jevons 27), Pembridge, Campbell, Cadamarteri.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Milligan, McLeod.

Booked: Gemmill.

Goals: Gemmill 8, Cadamarteri 15, Campbell 31.

Att: 19,174

Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).