David Moyes celebrated 10 years as a manager as Everton edged closer to their Champions League dream with a 1-0 win over Manchester City.

But the ambitious Everton boss had to thank defender Joleon Lescott for a first-half close range stab, his sixth goal of the season, and a defiant rearguard action from a defence stretched to the limits by Manchester City's increasingly desperate attacks.

This was a compelling clash between two sides with similar aspirations, and Everton just shaded it.

And with Liverpool only drawing at Middlesbrough, the Anfield side are clinging onto fourth spot on goal difference, with Everton breathing down their necks.

Everton welcomed back Mikel Arteta from suspension, but were without Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Steven Pienaar, who are all away on African Nations Cup duty.

Leon Osman and Andrew Johnson were both injured, and that saw Nuno Valente and Victor Anichebe also returning following the Carling Cup semi-final first leg defeat in midweek at Chelsea.

Manchester City, who had not won a league game at Goodison Park for 16 years, had Elano back - having missed the FA Cup draw at West Ham - with Stephen Ireland dropping to the bench. On-loan Nery Castillo made his league debut up front.

And Eriksson's side employed the system, involving two holding players and just one man up front, that has served them so well in an impressive season.

It relies on quick breaks using the skill of Elano and pace of Martin Petrov, but there was precious little room for them to work on.

Everton pressed forward, with space and time hard to find. Their approach play too slow to make much of an impression.

Tim Cahill was booked for an early a high tackle on Dietmar Hamann, and the game began to liven up.

Everton were at last more positive, and direct, and Joleon Lescott saw a header blocked, while Anichebe saw a header clear the bar.

And the Toffees' first move of any genuine pace almost produced a goal. Arteta's cross was turned into Cahill's path by Anichebe and Joe Hart made a good save low down to his left.

The ball cannoned back to Cahill, and this time he lifted his effort over the bar.

But that encouraged Everton, and on 31 minutes they were ahead. City failed to clear an Arteta corner properly, and when the ball was relayed back to the Spaniard on the right, his low ball to the near post was turned past Hart by Lescott. There was a hint of offside, but not enough for prolonged protests.

City then had to be more adventurous, and Elano - moved to a more central midfield role from the right-flank - saw a free-kick deflected over the top as City came out of their shell looking to get back into the game.

Hamann was then, although it looked as if he had clearly played the ball in a challenge on Valente.

There was far more urgency about City in the second period, and one surging run from his own half by Petrov almost opened up Everton, but for Lescott's timely intervention.

City then sent on Gelson Fernandes and Rolando Bianchi for Hamann and Castillo, a far more attacking approach, while Everton responded with James Vaughan taking over from McFadden.

Lee Carsley was then booked for a high tackle on Vedran Corluka on 61 minutes.

But on 68 minutes Ireland came on for Darius Vassell, City concerned that they had started to concede too much midfield space, such was the delicate balance of the match.

Everton's young strikers Vaughan and Anichebe gave City's defence a tough time, the home side more direct. City, with Elano making little impact, were struggling to create anything really dangerous.

A Cahill header flew over for Everton, but despite City having an increasing amount of possession, they were battering at a defiant wall of blue shirts.

Leighton Baines took over from Anichebe in injury time, Everton needing to just hang on now for a critical victory. Tim Howard saved well at his near post from a fierce Petrov drive and then from a Bianchi header. And Everton survived.

Teams:

Everton Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Nuno Valente, Arteta, Carsley, Neville, McFadden (Vaughan 60), Cahill,Anichebe (Baines 90).

Subs Not Used: Ruddy, Gravesen, Stubbs.

Booked: Cahill, Carsley.

Goals: Lescott 31.

Man City Hart, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Corluka, Hamann (Gelson 56), Petrov, Elano, Castillo (Bianchi 57),Vassell (Ireland 69).

Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Garrido.

Booked: Hamann.

Att: 38,474

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).