NIKICA Jelavic rediscovered his goal-scoring touch in timely fashion as Everton fought back to beat Sunderland 2-1 in a tight Goodison contest.

The Croatian’s 79th minute first-time strike gave David Moyes’ men the lead, and this time they clung on to stay in fourth place in the Barclays Premier League.

They had to do it the hard way yet again - after conceding first for the seventh consecutive game when Adam Johnson scored for the visitors just before the break.

Despite als losing the attacking threat of Kevin Mirallas during an entertaining first half, when the Belgian limped off with a hamstring injury, the Blues kept going and got the victory they deserved in the end.

It was a lively start as Mirallas deployed a slick shimmy to bamboozle the visiting defence and play in Jelavic who seemed reluctant to shoot with his left foot and delayed too long before being hustled off the ball. The striker felt he’d been fouled but referee Lee Mason was unimpressed and it would have been a generous spot kick.

Despite that flurry Everton almost fell to their customary early set back when Steven Fletcher played a simple ball to Stephane Sessengnon who muscled too easily past Seamus Coleman and looked a certainty to score but for the reflexes of a sprawling Tim Howard. Then Sessengon returned the favour, setting his striker partner free down the left and despite pressure from Coleman his shot across goal was only inches from creeping in at the far post.

The Blues responded with further attacking prowess from Mirallas, who was linking up smartly with his compatriot Marouane Fellaini, as the trusty axis of Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar also began to click. It led to a sustained siege of the Sunderland goal, as Everton passed the ball with purpose and pace outside the area, albeit lacking a cutting edge to garnish their artistry.

Although the visitors had enjoyed some gilt-edged chances, Everton could claim to be on top so it was a serious blow when Mirallas limped off clutching his hamstring on half an hour.

To their credit Everton continued to push relentlessly, and Leon Osman began to show just why he is worth his England call-up by pulling the strings with a smart array of passing. Then Seamus Coleman, who had struggled initially, went on a mazy run and was upended right on the edge of the area, and Baines’ free kick was met by Jelavic whose shot was narrowly over.

Despite such an entertaining half it seemed likely that they would go into the break scoreless, but then Sunderland struck. Everton failed to clear Se Larsson’s corner properly, and Craig Gardner lofted the ball back into the area for Adam Johnson to volley sweetly home as Osman was caught ball-watching and flat footed. It was the £10m winger’s first goal for the Wearsiders since joining in the summer.

Johnson was a thorn in Everton’s side again after the break when he cleared John Heitiga’s header from a corner off the line, as the hosts tried to quickly regain parity.

The Dutch defender climbed well to connect with another headed chance from Baines’ free kick, but that effort was not as close.

With Everton’s attacking threat declining, Moyes made a bold change; withdrawing skipper Neville and bringing on Apostolos Vellios to partner Jelavic in attack.

It was a crucial point with the game threatening to drift away from the Blues, but they struck in timely fashion. Osman fed Fellaini and the Belgian turned and rifled a firerce strike low into the bottom corner.

Just two minutes later it was the Belgian’s cute flick through John O’Shea’s legs which set Jelavic free and the Croatian made no mistake, with a typical first time finish. It was his first goal in three games, unusual for such a prolific marksman, but he had worked hard for it and few will bet against normal service now being resumed.

It was crucial that Everton avoided another costly late slip-up in the Craven Cottage mould, and five minutes of added time only added to the Goodison nerves.

But they survived, and in the context of the season this may yet prove a crucial victory.

EVERTON: (4-4-1-1) Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines, Osman, Neville (Capt) (Vellios, 73) Mirallas (Naismith,30) Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic (Hitzlsperger, 87).

Subs not used: Mucha, Oviedo, Distin, Gueye.

Bookings: Heitinga

Goals: Fellaini (77) Jelavic (79)

SUNDERLAND: (4-4-1-1) Mignolet, Rose, Gardner. O’Shea (Capt), Colback (Wickham, 88), Larsson, Johnson (Vaughan, 84) McClean, Cuellar, Fletcher (Saha, 69) Sessengnon.

Subs not used: Westwood, McFadden, Kilgallon, Bramble.

Bookings: Gardner, Vaughan, Rose

Goals: Johnson (45)

Ref: Lee Mason.