One more win and we're safe - Smith

Walter Smith believes Everton are still one victory away from Premiership safety.  

Smith's side put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three with a 3-1 victory against struggling Manchester City.

Everton's second win in a row - they beat West Ham in their previous match - takes them up to 38 points.

Smith said: "I don't think we will be comfortable until we get over the 40-point mark.

"A team could finish in the bottom three with more points than you would normally think.

"This victory has made our situation a bit more pleasant and it is not often we get two wins in a row."

Everton had to come from behind to defeat City, who remain in the bottom three.

Jeff Whitley opened the scoring with his first goal of the season but then they shot themselves in the foot.

Duncan Ferguson grabbed the equaliser then City keeper Nicky Weaver conceded a penalty, which Michael Ball converted.

Weaver, at fault the previous week against Aston Villa, suffered more embarrassment by allowing David Weir's header to trickle through his hands for Everton's third.

City manager Joe Royle, who celebrated his 52nd birthday today, refused to attend the press conference.

To increase his worries, striker Paul Dickov faces a lengthy suspension after being sent off with Alessandro Pistone after a scuffle six minutes from time.

Dickov begins a two-match ban on Monday, which means he will miss the Arsenal and Leicester matches this week, after reaching 10 bookings.

Everton could also be without striker Francis Jeffers for the Easter programme. He suffered a dislocated shoulder in the second half after a challenge from Danny Tiatto.

Smith said: "I thought we played poorly in the first half but you have to give City credit. They put us under pressure.

"We showed a bit more in the second half and could have had a couple more goals but Weaver made some good saves."