A CHEEKY piece of ram-raiding by Nick Barmby at the Baseball Ground last night won Everton an unlikely victory in a match largely dominated by Derby County, who were left to rue earlier chances that had gone astray.

Barmby headed the winner four minutes from time, after Joe Parkinson's 20-yard drive had come back off the crossbar. It was his second goal since moving to Goodison Park from Middlesbrough in October for £5.75 million.

The victory takes Everton to seventh place in the Premiership. They have now lost only once in 11 league matches and a place in Europe surely beckons Joe Royle's steadily-improving side.

There is a better balance about Everton now, with Speed and Barmby complementing Ferguson and Kanchelskis. Not that much was seen of the latter last night. The consistent pressure applied by the Derby wing-backs, Laursen and Chris Powell, meant that Everton always struggled to make headway on either flank.

As a result, Ferguson's normally omnipotent head was effective only fleetingly. Seldom has Hinchcliffe's left foot, which provides the tall Scot with important service at corners and free kicks, been so underemployed. Derby must still be wondering how they managed to lose, having denied Everton so many of their normal routes to victory

Then again, Royle's decision to replace Branch, his 18-year-old prodigy, with Stuart for the second half, enabling Barmby to move further forward, proved crucial to the outcome. For much of the time, however, Derby appeared more capable of breaking the stalemate.

Derby County's presence in the Premier League has been anything but sheepish. They went into last night's match unbeaten in five games and playing fluent, confident football. If there was a lesson to be learned, it was the obvious one - at this level, teams like Everton are apt to punish a failure to turn territorial advantage into goals.

Sturridge and Ward spent much of the first half, and a large part of the second, worrying the Everton centre-backs, Watson and Unsworth, with their pace and quick passing.

With Asanovic prowling in space behind the front runners, and Laursen and Chris Powell giving Derby's movements consistent width, Everton had to defend for lengthy periods. But Southall did not have a serious save to make until he blocked a shot from Ward, who had met Asanovic's centre from the left first-time, in the 68th minute.

Ten minutes into the second half Sturridge broke away on the left and after cutting into the penalty area saw an intended shot ricochet off Watson straight to the Croatian.

Asanovic was near the penalty spot with time and space to score, but at the crucial moment he lifted his head and his shot flew over the bar. When a header from Ward, following Laursen's excellent cross from the right, met a similar fate 15 minutes from the end, Derby probably suspected the worst.

Afterwards, Royle admitted his team had stolen three points after not-playing particularly well. Then again, this is part of the art of success in football.

Television supported Everton's claims for a penalty after McGrath had appeared to bring down Barmby just before the hour. Ferguson had nodded Barmby through on goal and he repeated the service a little later, though again with no reward.

The goal, when it came, probably surprised both teams, not to mention a crowd which by that time had become resigned to a scoreless evening. Derby could take heart from their performance, but they had paid the familiar price of profligacy.