Everton overtook their entire points total for last season with a victory that keeps them in the top three of the Barclays Premiership thanks to Marcus Bent's second half header.

Tim Cahill's effort had given Everton an early lead, cancelled out by a Robbie Fowler header before the break.

But Manchester City ended with substitute Christian Negouai sent off and Fowler the subject of constant abuse from the Goodison Park fans.

Fowler had enraged the home fans for running half the length of the pitch along the touchline and slapping his head after his first half goal.

He was booked for that celebration by referee Phil Dowd, and the former Liverpool man was subjected to chants from the Everton fans from then on.

Five years ago Fowler - after scoring for Liverpool in a Mersey derby - was fined by the Football Association after an infamous goal celebration in front of Everton fans, who have abused him ever since the incident.

This time he could have been taunting them with a celebration to underline how few he scores with his head, but Everton fans had their own ideas and abused the former Anfield star from then on.

That aside, the game was fierce and competitive with City never out of it until the final whistle.

But Everton are a tough nut to crack on their own pitch and clung on for three more priceless points.

Steve Watson came into the Everton side for only his seventh league start of the season to replace Leon Osman, out with a knee injury.

City boss Kevin Keegan banished Joey Barton to the bench in the wake of his internal disciplinary hearing in midweek that left him with a fine of six weeks' wages after the midfielder's outrageous behaviour at the club's Christmas party.

Keegan also brought Jon Macken into the starting line-up, City opting to play with three strikers in an attacking formation that also included Fowler and Nicolas Anelka against a side who have conceded only nine goals in as many home league games this season.

Watson and Marcus Bent both went close early on while Anelka was not quick enough to punish a David Weir mis-kick before Paul Bosvelt headed narrowly over, unmarked six yards out.

City played the better passing football early on, pinning Everton back. But that is when Everton are at their most dangerous, hitting on the break.

City were caught out and one down after Bent won a debatable free-kick off Richard Dunne, chasing a long ball out of defence on 22 minutes, and when Thomas Gravesen fired over the free-kick, Cahill arrived unmarked to head powerfully past David James.

James saved well to his left from Watson as Everton started to swing the ball around with far more positive play.

Watson, Gravesen and Lee Carsley moved the ball at speed and that had City's back line under pressure, forcing them into back passes that kept James involved.

But City soon hit back. Fowler fired a free-kick high over and Anelka had another blocked before City finally got something for their efforts.

Shaun Wright-Phillips had a drive blocked on 43 minutes, and when Macken lifted the cross into the box, Fowler arrived to head powerfully past Nigel Martyn.

Everton had trouble imposing their direct style while City caused them problems with a much neater, close passing game.

Anelka attacked Alessandro Pistone down the right and had plenty of joy against the Italian.

Mills and Cahill managed to get involved in a bout of pushing and shoving that needed referee Dowd's eventual involvement.

When Everton did get the chance to lift the ball into the box on 61 minutes they almost scored.

Gravesen's free-kick was flicked on by Stubbs for Bent to just fail to get a connection a yard out.

A minute later he had more luck. City failed to clear the ball in their box and Gravesen, instead of shooting from 12 yards, chipped a neat ball for Bent to head into the bottom corner to give Everton the lead again.

Mills was booked for a foul on Gravesen that infuriated the Dane, who continued the argument with Dowd far too long and was booked for dissent.

He was lucky not to get into further trouble with more words at the Staffordshire official before players from both sides pulled him away.

Duncan Ferguson came on for Watson on 74 minutes, Everton trying to settle the issue with their now expected aerial bombardment in the final quarter.

City brought on Nedum Onuoha and Negouai for Mills and Macken while Joseph Yobo replaced Gravesen, all with 10 minutes left.

Negouai's first involvement was a tackle on Bent in the Everton box that enraged the home players and resulted in a red card for the young substitute, who eventually walked off appearing to show clear disbelief at the decision.

Teams

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Weir, Pistone, Carsley, Watson (Ferguson 73), Gravesen (Yobo 81), Cahill, Kilbane, Bent (McFadden 90).

Subs Not Used: Wright, Naysmith.

Booked: Gravesen.

Goals: Cahill 22, Bent 63.

Man City: James, Mills (Onuoha 80), Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Bosvelt, Sibierski, Fowler, Macken (Negouai 80), Anelka.

Subs Not Used: Waterreus, Barton, Flood.

Sent Off: Negouai (83).

Booked: Fowler, Mills.

Goals: Fowler 42.

Att: 40,530

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).