GOALS from Andrew Johnson and James McFadden allowed Everton to climb above Reading with a 2-0 win at the Madejski Stadium.

David Moyes' side were fully deserving of the points as Reading, who had surrendered a lead to lose to Blackburn a week ago, failed to create much.

Steve Coppell's side have enjoyed a fine 2006, surprising almost everyone by making an impressive start to life in the Premiership.

But with trips to Chelsea and then Manchester United on the immediate horizon the Royals know they might be forced to start the new year in the bottom half of the table.

Everton on the other hand will now be looking at a joust for a Uefa Cup place and have Goodison Park appointments with Middlesbrough and Newcastle to confirm such credentials.

There had been an early moment of promise for the home side when Kevin Doyle made rapid progress into the Toffees' box only to barged off the pitch by Joleon Lescott.

Referee Steve Tanner allowed that to go unpunished and made a similar decision at the other end after the recalled McFadden, having been allowed access to the Reading box by Ivar Ingimarsson's slip, went down as Ibrahima Sonko challenged.

Everton had already taken a grip on the game however and took the lead in the 14th minute. Mikel Arteta was the architect, first eluding Nicky Shorey on the right with a deft first touch. His lay-back found Johnson, whose shot from 10 yards out was helped past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann off Sonko's boot.

It was his seventh goal of the season but his first since September, ending a 12-game barren run.

Steve Coppell's side did appear to have been denied a penalty in the 45th minute when Gary Naysmith clipped the feet of Seol Ki-Hyeon.

McFadden needed fewer than two minutes after the restart to double Everton's lead as the home defence repeatedly failed to cope with danger that began with Johnson giving Ingimarsson the slip down the right.

Sonko failed to cut out the resulting cross and although skipper Graeme Murty, making his 300th Reading appearance, was there to help, McFadden had little trouble firing past Hahnemann on the turn.