EVERTON were left on the very brink of UEFA Cup qualification thanks to two dramatic second-half goals in the space of 60 seconds. The first came when James Vaughan was brought down by Glen Johnson, and Mikel Arteta converted the penalty. Joseph Yobo rose to head home a Manuel Fernandes corner, before substitute Gary Naysmith dived to head home the third goal in injury-time.

Everton should have been ahead after 16 minutes when keeper Tim Howard's long clearance down-field was headed on by Victor Anichebe for James Vaughan to run clear, but from 12 yards he stabbed his effort wide.

Then Phil Neville's cross was headed back by Leon Osman, with Vaughan missing his connection with a lunging boot inside the six yard box.

Linvoy Primus headed just over from a corner by Niko Kranjcar, and from another curling flag-kick by the Croatian, Howard only just managed to palm the ball away.

Alan Stubbs twice got in telling tackles on Benji Mwaruwari, with the Zimbabwean threatened to force his way clear in the box.

Noe Pamarot was booked for a late challenge on Anichebe on 27 minutes, while Fernandes was lucky to escape the same fate for hauling back Kanu soon after.

The Portuguese midfielder, who spent the first half of the season on-loan at Fratton Park, was having a lot of trouble getting into the game.

Davis got himself booked by referee Howard Webb for dissent a minute after the break, and then Lee Carsley should have scored for Everton when he blasted wide from six yards.

Then after clever work by Arteta, Neville was able to drill a low cross into the sixyard box, missed by Osman from a yard out. Everton had upped their pace and control, and on the hour they grabbed the lead.

Vaughan used his drive and strength to force his way into the box on an angled run, and he was brought down by Glen Johnson. Arteta stepped up to rifle the 60th minute penalty past James.

Arteta then sent Vaughan away again, and his crossshot - touched crucially by James - was missed by Anichebe at full stretch. But from the resulting corner, by Fernandes, Joseph Yobo rose to head home a second goal in 60 seconds.

Anichebe was withdrawn in the 76th minute, McFadden taking over, before Johnson sent a low shot just wide.

Arnold Mvuemba, Roudolphe Douala and Lomana LuaLua were all sent on by Portsmouth in quick succession to replace Lauren, Kanu and Kranjcar.

Beattie came on for Vaughan with two minutes left, and in injury-time Gary Naysmith took over from Fernandes - with Beattie wrapping up the win soon after when he headed on Arteta's corner for Naysmith to dive and head home the third goal.