Leon makes amends for Yaku-boob

With leading scorer Yakubu for once failing to devour the offerings that came his way, Everton were in danger of losing more ground on Liverpool in the race for next season's fourth Champions League place.

Even more worryingly, a leaden-footed, error-strewn performance against already doomed Derby was beginning to raise misgivings about any European qualification, particularly after a return of just one point from their previous three games.

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If the lack of drive confirmed David Moyes' worst fears about a demanding campaign taking its toll, Osman at least ensured his side moved to within three points of their bitter rivals with an expertly taken 56th-minute winner.

Taking a Manuel Fernandes through-ball smoothly in his stride, the England Under 21 midfielder looked up for an instant before drilling a left-foot shot past Roy Carroll for only his fourth Barclays Premier League goal of the season.

There was an end-of-season feel throughout and Moyes will have to address the fatigue factor urgently if a season rich in promise is not to end with even a UEFA Cup place being surrendered.

No one laboured more than Yakubu, a 19-goal sharpshooter since his club record £11million move from Middlesbrough but a misfit who could not hit the target from two yards here.

When Leighton Baines whipped in a low cross from the left in the 17th minute, Mikel Arteta and Eddie Lewis each failed to make contact at the near post.

How Yakubu must have cursed as he stuck out a boot and spooned the ball over a gaping net from two yards out — one of the misses of the season.

Derby did have the odd chance to score. Kenny Miller dummied an Andy Todd through-ball to give Emanuel Villa a clear run on goal that should have yielded an equaliser.

But there was no conviction in the finish as he shot tamely against Tim Howard's legs.

It meant Derby will head into the Championship with an unwanted record for the most Premier games without a win after drawing seven and losing 20 of their last 27 games.

There was a resigned look on manager Paul Jewell's face, particularly about Villa's miss, but he at least saw signs of encouragement.

"That was our one really good chance, but he never looked like scoring," said the manager.

"Even so, that was miles better than we've been playing and I thought we deserved at least a point."

Everton were booed off at half-time, and Moyes clearly felt aggrieved after his side's sterling efforts this season.

"We didn't play as well as we can, but neither did the crowd," said the boss.

"Yak's miss was a big one. But we stuck at it, and the result was all-important, particularly at this stage of the season."