Everton have temporarily gone second in the Premier League table following a comfortable win over 10-man Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

The Toffees started the game very brightly and took the lead in controversial circumstances on 22 minutes.

Marouane Fellaini flicked the ball into Victor Anichebe's path using his arm and the Nigeria international volleyed home from seven yards.

After Angel Rangel had spurned a good chance to level the scores, Everton doubled their lead on 43 minutes.

Fellaini slid Steven Pienaar in down the right and he crossed low for Kevin Mirallas, who struck the crossbar before heading the rebound beyond Michel Vorm.

Everton went close to extending their advantage early in the second half when Mirallas rattled the crossbar again and Anichebe fired the rebound straight at Vorm.

Swansea's uphill task was made even harder on 57 minutes as half-time substitute Nathan Dyer, who had been booked for dissent moments earlier, was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Leighton Baines.

Fellaini missed a sitter from eight yards and then had a header cleared off the line by Leon Britton.

However, the big Belgian finally found the net nine minutes from time when he nodded in Baines's free kick from 10 yards.