Manchester City keeper Nicky Weaver was left cursing his luck for the second week in a row.

Weaver, badly exposed against Aston Villa in the previous game, conceded a penalty and then a soft goal in this crucial relegation clash.

But it would be unfair to lay the blame for this defeat at his door.

City, after taking the lead, defended poorly and look increasingly likely to be relegated to the First Division.

Everton, however, are surely safe after this victory in a bad-tempered match.

Allesandro Pistone and Paul Dickov of City were sent off six minutes from time after squaring up on the touchline.

Dickov could be in for severe punishment as he starts a two-match ban this week which means he misses the match against Arsenal on Wednesday and the clash with Leicester on Saturday.

City made a blistering start and came within inches of taking the lead in the second minute when Andrei Kanchelsksis saw his effort from the edge of the box drift wide.

Kanchelskis was again involved two minutes later when his cross spun off transfer listed Paulo Wanchope and into the path of Dickov.

However just as he was shaping to shoot, David Weir stepped in to make a timely block.

Wanchope was making his first start for City since January when he reacted angrily to being substituted during the FA Cup victory against Coventry.

Northern Ireland midfielder Jeff Whitley got City off to a perfect start after nine minutes.

Whitley headed home a free-kick from Danny Tiatto after Everton defender David Unsworth had been pulled up for a foul on Kanchelskis.

Everton hit back after Whitely's opening goal but Scott Gemmill dragged a shot wide after a header from Duncan Ferguson had only been partially cleared.

They eventually drew level in the 17th minute when City defender Richard Dunne headed Niclas Alexandersson's cross up in the air.

Kevin Campbell got the slightest of touches and Duncan Ferguson swept the ball past keeper Nicky Weaver.

Everton stepped up the pace and Weaver did well to tip over a 20-yard shot from Steve Watson that took a deflection along the way.

City, however, broke forward in the 25th minute and keeper Paul Gerrard could only parry Whitely's shot. Dickov, though, failed to get good contact on the rebound.

Wanchope then picked out Dickov but Gerrard was able to save cleanly on this occasion.

Everton took the lead five minutes before the break when Michael Ball hoisted the ball forward.

The City defence remained static and Campbell homed in on goal only for Weaver to bring him down.

Referee David Elleray awarded a penalty. Weaver got a hand to Ball's spot-kick but he swept in the rebound.

Mark Kennedy came on for Danny Granville at half-time in the City line-up and linked up with Tiatto in the 48th minute.

The Republic of Ireland winger whipped in a cross from the by-line but Whitley's header did not trouble Gerrard.

City, desperate to get back in the game, pegged Everton back at the start of the second half.

Gerard Wiekens released the industrious Tiatto who tried his luck from 25 yards, only to see his shot go wide.

Everton sub Francis Jeffers then came off, clutching his shoulder, in the 67th minute after falling awkwardly following a challenge from Tiatto. He was replaced by Mark Pembridge.

England Under-21 keeper Weaver then made two good saves in quick succession from Steve Watson and Gemmill.

But Weaver was badly at fault with Everton's third goal six minutes from time.

He allowed a header from David Weir to slip through his hands after Thomas Gravesen's corner had been hacked away.

Teams

Everton: Gerrard, Steve Watson, Weir, Ball, Pistone, Alexandersson (Tal 77), Gemmill, Gravesen, Unsworth, Campbell, Ferguson (Jeffers 46), Jeffers (Pembridge 70).

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Hibbert.

Sent Off: Pistone (88).

Goals: Ferguson 16, Ball 40, Weir 84.

Man City: Weaver, Haaland, Howey, Dunne, Granville (Kennedy 46), Kanchelskis (Huckerby 74), Wiekens, Whitley, Tiatto, Dickov, Wanchope.

Subs Not Used: Nash, Ostenstad, Charvet.

Sent Off: Dickov (88).

Booked: Wanchope, Weaver, Tiatto, Whitley.

Goals: Whitley 9.

Att: 36,561

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).