Everton's goalscorer, Phil Jagielka (No. 16), is congratulated by teammate Mikel Arteta during their Premier League at Goodison Park yesterday. Everton won 1-0. - AP

LONDON (AP):

PHIL JAGIELK a scored his first Premier League goal for Everton to earn them a 1-0 win over Reading and strengthen their hold on fourth place yesterday.

With the top three teams not in action, Jagielka's 62nd-minute header lifted Everton to within seven points of third-place Chelsea, while Aston Villa moved up to fifth after John Carew scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Newcastle.

Everton have 47 points, three more than Villa and 13 fewer than leaders Arsenal, who host Blackburn in tomorrow's match.

Liverpool, with 43, could retake fifth place at Chelsea today, when defending champions Manchester United host Manchester City.

In yesterday's other matches, Portsmouth won 1-0 at Bolton, West Ham drew 1-1 with Birmingham, Tottenham won 3-0 at Derby, Middlesbrough beat Fulham 1-0 and Sunderland beat visiting Wigan 2-0.

Missed chances

Everton almost fell behind early at Goodison when Reading missed two chances. Goalkeeper Tim Howard stopped Stephen Hunt's free kick before striker Dave Kitson headed over the bar.

Striker Andrew Johnson forced Everton's first clear chance with a shot that Marcus Hahnemann saved, and Tim Cahill then shot wide from Leon Osman's cross, but the Toffees failed to establish the dominance suggested by the teams' respective league positions.

Jagielka made it 1-0 with a looping header that kept Everton clear of Villa. Despite Michael Owen scoring for a second straight match, Newcastle are now winless in five matches since Kevin Keegan returned as manager.

Affected by injury

The Magpies could also be without Shay Given for several weeks after the goalkeeper had to be substituted because of a groin injury. Owen, who did not make even a substitute appearance when England beat Switzerland in a midweek friendly, had put the Magpies ahead with a fourth-minute header from a cross by James Milner.

But Newcastle failed to create sufficient openings despite enjoying shot - his first goal in almost three years with Villa. Given was hurt trying to get to the shot to his right when the studs on his left boot slipped over the turf.

The goalkeeper managed to stay on just long enough for Carew to head Ashley Young's 51st-minute corner past him and set the rout rolling.