Seamus Coleman scored three minutes into stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory for Everton over Cardiff City at Goodison Park in the Premier League this afternoon.

Gerard Deulofeu broke the Bluebirds' stubborn resistance to give the hosts the lead on 59 minutes with a strike that deflected off Steven Caulker.

Cardiff got the bounce of the ball themselves when equalising on 68 minutes, as Peter Whittingham's free kick struck Cala on the chest and flew beyond Tim Howard in the Toffees goal.

However, Coleman's miscued strike in the final stages sneaked past David Marshall, who had produced several excellent saves throughout the match, to secure Everton a win that takes them up to sixth in the table.

Marshall saved well from Kevin Mirallas and Deulofeu in the opening 30 minutes, before ensuring Cardiff half-time parity by superbly tipping Romelu Lukaku's 20-yard shot over the crossbar.

He was helpless, though, when Everton broke the deadlock on 59 minutes. Deulofeu dribbled into the box before shooting via the leg of Caulker and past the Bluebirds goalkeeper at the near post.

However, the visitors were level within 10 minutes as Coleman was adjudged to have fouled Frazier Campbell, and from the resultant set piece, Cala steered Whittingham's shot into the home goal.

Again Marshall rescued his side as he thwarted Lukaku with a good reflex stop, and, at the other end, substitute Wilfried Zaha thought that he should have had a penalty following a trip from Sylvain Distin.

Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left cursing his luck after referee Roger East did not award the spot kick, and then Coleman sliced a shot from Gareth Barry's pass over Marshall in the 93rd minute.

Everton have now won seven consecutive home games in all competitions, while the result leaves poor travellers Cardiff 19th in the Premier League table and four points away from safety.