The Toffees could have had a penalty when Tim Cahill's shot hit Micah Richards' arm and also went close when Steven Pienaar's shot hit the post.

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City lost their shape completely after the break and had Martin Petrov sent off late on for kicking Leon Osman.

It ended up as a ragged performance from the home side, with central defender Micah Richards pushed forward to leave some huge gaps at the back.

And, if Everton had taken their chances and referee Rob Styles had seen two other penalty claims differently, then this would have been an even more comprehensive victory for the Toffees.

City are also involved in what is becoming an intriguing race for the fourth and final Champions League spot but their hopes have been hit after they were found horribly wanting here.

Yakubu, operating as a lone striker despite the success of his partnership with Andy Johnson against SK Brann last week, went close to opening the scoring in the third minute when he beat Joe Hart to Pienaar's cross but saw Richard Dunne clear his weak shot off the line.

The visitors fashioned another opening soon afterwards and should have had a spot-kick when Cahill's shot came back off Richards' elbow after the defender lost his footing in the area.

That stung City into action but, although they enjoyed a long spell of possession, they were unable to penetrate a solid Everton backline that fiercely guarded the edge of their penalty area.

The same could not be said of the home defence, however, and Pienaar was given plenty of time to pick his spot before he curled in a dipping shot that came back off the woodwork with Hart beaten.

Everton kept creating chances and finally capitalised on the half-hour mark when Dunne gave the ball away and Cahill crossed for Yakubu, who finished with aplomb.

Things got worse for City before the break when Lescott escaped Dunne to meet Carsley's cross and head past a stranded Hart before half-time.

That still left time for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men to get back into the game but the second half only served to further expose their shortcomings.

Phil Neville was unlucky to see his shot fly over the bar straight after the interval and Dunne had to clear off the line after Cahill met Yakubu's cross.

Eriksson's response was to throw men forward but although Petrov had a shot blocked by Phil Jagielka and Dunne headed over, City were looking even more shambolic at the other end.

Richards was lucky to only concede a free-kick on the edge of the area when he handled Lescott's long throw and Nedum Onuoha also handled the ball inside the box.

Hart saved City's blushes with a superb stop to keep out Lee Carsley's long-range shot, and repeated the trick to deny substitute Johnson from close-range.

City did threaten again through Nery Castillo's long-range shot that was blocked by Howard but their miserable night was summed up by Petrov's late dismissal after he kicked out at Leon Osman, seconds after clashing with Yakubu.

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Everton's Yakubu 8.00 (on 90 minutes).