An injury-time winner from Leon Osman got Everton back on track for a Champions League berth after suffering two painful defeats over the holiday period.

It looked like the wheels were starting to come off David Moyes' bandwagon but deep into the two minutes of added time, Osman spun in the box and hooked the winner high into the net, ending Portsmouth's unbeaten away record under new boss Velimir Zajec.

Pompey looked in trouble when Alan Stubbs scored his first-ever Goodison goal in an Everton shirt but before the cheers of the home fans had died down, Aiyegbeni Yakubu scored a fine solo equaliser.

In the second half Everton launched constant attacks, but it looked like it would all be in vain until Osman's late heroics.

New £6million striker James Beattie was paraded on the pitch before the game as Alessandro Pistone, David Weir, Marcus Bent and Kevin Kilbane dropped to the bench following the 5-2 thrashing at Tottenham.

It took some time for Everton to get going before Kevin Campbell saw a close-range effort blocked by Arjan de Zeeuw on the six-yard line.

Everton were put under plenty of pressure by Patrik Berger, the former Liverpool man forcing two fine diving saves from Richard Wright before the home side were ahead on 29 minutes.

Steve Stone needlessly conceded a corner with Shaka Hislop about to claim the ball, and when the flag kick curled into the box Stubbs headed only the fourth goal of his Everton career.

However, the lead lasted just a couple of minutes when Yakubu claimed a quick throw on the left, held off compatriot Joseph Yobo and got almost to the byline before blasting an angled drive into the far top corner of Wright's net.

Diomansy Kamara almost put Pompey ahead within seconds of the restart with a fierce, rising shot into the side-netting.

But Everton were unlucky not to regain the lead with the best move of the match in the 54th minute. Osman crossed for Tim Cahill who dived forward and beat Nigel Quashie to the ball, only for his downward header to bounce up and over the crossbar with Hislop beaten.

Berger continued to cause Everton major problems with his long-range shooting, as Wright spilled one shot and had to dive at Yakubu's feet to block the rebound before the Czech sent another dipping drive inches over.

Osman then bustled through before shooting inches wide and Everton sent on Bent and Kilbane for Campbell and McFadden, with Aliou Cisse taking over from Amdy Faye - all on 73 minutes.

Cahill and Kilbane both went close in quick succession before Thomas Gravesen forced his way into the box, his low drive palmed away by Hislop as Everton fought to clinch all three points in a now-customary late surge.

Matthew Taylor took over from Yakubu with six minutes to go to aid the rearguard action, but it was not enough to stop Osman hooking the ball home in injury time to secure victory.

Teams:

Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Stubbs, Yobo, Naysmith, Carsley, Osman, Gravesen, Cahill, McFadden (Kilbane 74), Campbell (Bent 73).

Subs Not Used: Pistone, Weir, Turner.

Goals: Stubbs 29, Osman 90.

Portsmouth: Hislop, Primus, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, O'Neil, Faye (Cisse 73), Stone, Quashie, Berger, Yakubu (Taylor 85), Kamara.

Subs Not Used: Unsworth, Ashdown, Mezague.

Goals: Yakubu 31.

Att: 35,480

Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).