Andrew Johnson celebrates putting Everton ahead
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Andrew Johnson ended a 12-game barren sequence to set Everton on the way to victory at Reading.
Johnson put the diving controversy involving Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho behind him to score on the turn after 14 minutes from Mikel Arteta's cross.
Leon Osman hit the bar before James McFadden added a second after being set up by Johnson after 47 minutes.
Reading battled on, with Everton keeper Tim Howard saving well from substitute Leroy Lita and Steve Sidwell.
It was only Everton's second away win in the Premiership this season, but for Reading it was their second successive home defeat.
Everton suffered two setbacks just before kick-off when young striker Victor Anichebe pulled out through illness and Alan Stubbs injured a hamstring in the warm-up.
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606: DEBATE
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McFadden and Gary Naysmith were drafted in, but the disruption did not prevent Everton making a powerful start.
Johnson had already had a shot saved by Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann before he put Everton in front after 14 minutes.
Arteta was the creator with a cross from the right flank, Portsmouth allowing the England striker too much time to turn and score via a slight deflection off Ibrahima Sonko.
Everton then wasted a succession of chances to tie the game up before half-time.
McFadden had a shot saved by Hahnemann and Osman blazed wide from 12 yards following a slick exchange with Johnson.
Joleon Lescott then wasted another opportunity, heading tamely at Hahnemann from point-blank range after Osman volleyed a corner into the six-yard area.
Osman struck the bar from 25 yards as Everton threatened a second - but Reading felt they were denied a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Seol Ki-Hyeon tumbled under challenge from Naysmith, but referee Steve Tanner, taking charge of his first Premiership game, waved away the appeals.
Reading were furious, although replays showed contact had taken place outside the area.
And their hopes of mounting a revival were hit as Everton deservedly doubled their lead after 47 minutes.
Ivar Ingimarsson hesitated fatally to allow Johnson to rob him of possession, and he crossed for McFadden to turn and score.
The goal sparked Reading into life, with substitute Lita a lively figure.
He brought the first serious save out of Tim Howard, and then set up James Harper from only eight yards after 67 minutes, but he blazed wildly over.
Reading had dominated possession after the break, and Howard was again forced to save well, this time from Steve Sidwell after 84 minutes.
Reading manager Steve Coppell:
"They deserved to win and the second goal destroyed us.
"Andy Johnson was the difference as far as I'm concerned. Between the teams there wasn't too much daylight but every time he got on the ball he looked to penetrate."
Everton manager David Moyes:
"Andy Johnson's mood was great and he has been a terrific centre-forward for Everton.
"He had gone a few games without goals, could have taken penalty kicks - and got penalty kicks - but it wasn't a case of would he score but when.
"I thought he was terrific, a threat all game. He was the catalyst, in the first half especially, in getting us a result. "I believe we are better than eighth place in the table, but it is up to go out and prove it."
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt (Oster 70), Doyle (Long 85), Ki-Hyeon (Lita 54).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Gunnarsson.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Naysmith, Lescott, Osman, Carsley, Davies, Arteta, Johnson, McFadden (Beattie 76).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Weir, Van der Meyde, Vaughan.
Goals: Johnson 14, McFadden 47.
Att: 24,053
Ref: S Tanner (Somerset).