Everton looked set to settle for a point at Selhurst Park as they struggled to break down a stern Crystal Palace but Seamus Coleman provided the all important finish in the 87th minute.
The Toffees had the better chances throughout the game, several through Ross Barkley but Wayne Hennessey was equal to each effort.
The Welshman kept Everton out on a number of occasions, another notable one from Kevin Mirallas who took a shot on the volley from six yards out but it was too close to the keeper.
It took until the 87th minute, with Tom Davies playing through Irishman Coleman who shot over Hennessey to give Everton a massive three points.
Following Manchester United’s draw with Stoke City, Everton are now just five points behind 6th place in what looked like an impossible task only a few weeks ago.
The Toffees face Stoke, Bournemouth, Boro and Sunderland in their next four games as they look to crash the top six party.
Joel Robles - 9
He’s no.1.
Statistically one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League right now, Joel Robles showed again today just why that is.
Finally hitting a rhythm, could he be the long term answer to the goalkeeping situation?
Mason Holgate - 7
Looked impressive again.
Playing in a three at the back formation, Holgate comes into a league of his own.
Dare we say it, we could have another star centre-half on our books.
Ashley Williams - 7
Not called into action very often, but that just shows how solid Everton were.
A good leader in the back as per usual.
Ramiro Funes Mori - 6
Slightly shaky but did what needed to be done throughout the game.
Seamus Coleman - 9
What a performance that was!
Even before his goal, Coleman was a constant outlet in attack and really provided some quality going forward.
His goal, well, what a take that was. He could have played it across to Romelu Lukaku or Ademola Lookman but he had only one thing in mind, and rightly so.
Tom Davies - 8
Another game, another assist for the boy wonder!
He never stops running and sometimes he can just find that pass that many other players cannot.
He can only go from strength to strength from here on, so let us hope he can continue to impress.
Gareth Barry - 6
Certainly wouldn’t say he had a bad game, but didn’t do all that much either.
Replaced by Morgan Schneiderlin midway through the second half.
Leighton Baines - 7
Similarly to Barry but offered that little bit more.
Back to form for Baines and long may it continue.
Ross Barkley - 8
Brilliant from Ross today.
There is absolutely no doubt that Tom Davies has helped take the burden off Barkley, as he now looks to be playing with freedom and with less defensive duties.
‘We’ve got a diamond’, and all that jazz.
Kevin Mirallas - 7
The Belgian is certainly enjoying football playing as the second striker, with a lot more freedom to make a play with Barkley and Lukaku.
Didn’t quite break for him today, but he did free up space for players such as Barkley to make runs forward.
Romelu Lukaku - 7
No goal for Rom today, but that doesn’t mean he played badly.
He was marked very tightly, but that only opened up space for the plethora of Everton attackers around him.
Arguably, Coleman may not have found the space without Lukaku’s presence!
Substitutes
Morgan Schneiderlin (6) – Didn’t really get a chance to impose himself on the game. Tidy on the ball, as expected.
Ademola Lookman (7) – Looks a good kid does ‘Mola’. His first touch 32was a shot on target and provided a threat for the final 20 minutes of the game.