Wanderers 1, EVERTON 2: WANDERERS' Premiership survival prospects were dealt a severe blow by David Moyes' high-riding Everton on a disappointing and depressing night at the Reebok.
Desperate for points after a five-match winless streak, Sam Allardyce saw his revival hopes rocked by Steve Watson's double strike in the space of six first-half m inutes.
Without a win since beating Newcastle in a seven-goal Boxing Day thriller, Wanderers once again paid the penalty for failing to convert scoring chances Michael Ricketts, Ivan Campo and Henrik Pedersen all missing opportunities in a bright opening before Watson hooked in a stunning shot on 33 minutes, right out of the blue.
When he bagged his second, Wanderers looked a forlorn outfit.
Allardyce changed his formation in the second half, introducing Kevin Nolan and turning to three centre-backs. Nolan might have pulled on back on 59 minutes if he had managed to get his header on target.
Delroy Facey was credited with pulling one back for Wanderers in the second minute of injury time but it was too late to deny Everton who might have been even further ahead but for Jaaskelainen making smart saves to keep out Gary Naysmith's shot and deny Watson his hat-trick.
Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Mendy, Bergsson, N'Gotty, Charlton; Frandsen, Campo, Gardner; Djorkaeff, Ricketts, Pedersen. Subs: Nolan for Pedersen (h-t), Facey for N'Gotty 67 mins. Not used: Whitlow, Barness, Poole.
Everton: Wright; Pistone, Weir, Stubbs, Unsworth; Watson, Li Tie, Naysmith, Gemmill; Radzinksi, McBride. Subs: Yobo for Stubbs 78 mins, Pembridge for Naysmith 84 mins. Not used: Campbell, Pembridge, Gravesen, Gerrard.
Referee: R. Styles (Hampshire).
Attendance: 25,119.
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