Seamus Coleman struck deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory for Everton at the expense of Cardiff City in the Premier League this afternoon.

The deadlock was broken during the second half by Gerard Deulofeu, but that was soon cancelled out by Bluebirds defender Juan Cala.

However, with the final whistle fast approaching, Coleman saw his scuffed effort loop into the top corner of the net to secure all three points for the home team.

Below, Sports Mole has looked back over the contest to determine if the result was a fair one.

Match statistics

Everton
Shots: 19
On target: 6
Possession: 68%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 10

Cardiff
Shots: 10
On target: 3
Possession: 32%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 10

Was the result fair?

One thing is for sure: the result was cruel on Cardiff, but then again, that's Premier League football. Everton created much the better of the chances and their pressure was eventually rewarded late on. Had Cardiff returned to South Wales with a share of the spoils, then Everton would have been left to rue their failure to convert numerous opportunities. All in all, the right team won the match.

Everton's performance

Relief will be the buzz word at Goodison Park this evening. On the balance of play, Roberto Martinez's team deserved the three points, although it didn't appear that they would be forthcoming. The Spaniard will be delighted with the desire that his team displayed, even in stoppage time when it seemed that their chance had gone. What will be concerning the Everton boss, though, is how frail his team have started to look when defending crosses into the area. Cala will not score many easier goals in a Cardiff shirt than the one that he did today, thanks largely to some slack defending from the home team.

Cardiff's performance

The Bluebirds will be feeling hard done by and that's understandable - any side would having shipped a stoppage-time winner. Nevertheless, when the dust settles, there are a number of positives for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to take away from this encounter. His team showed more adventure than most of their away matches this season and at one goal apiece, they created a couple of openings to take the lead. On another day, they would be leaving Merseyside with a point, but it wasn't to be. Over the coming weeks it will be important that they take the plus points from this one in their bid to remain in the Premier League.

Sports Mole's man of the match

David Marshall: If it wasn't for the Scot's athleticism between the posts, then Cardiff would have been well beaten today. He made a host of saves, including some where he had to rearrange his body to stop shots that had been deflected. Both of Everton's goals had more than a touch of fortune about them, which will make the defeat even harder to take for the Cardiff goalkeeper.

Biggest gaffe

Credit to both teams because there were very few glaring errors committed over the course of this match. As a result, this award will have to go to the Everton defence for the way that they dealt with Peter Whittingham's cross into the area that resulted in the Cardiff goal.

Referee performance

With two sides that like to playing passing football along the floor, there was never going to be too much for Roger East to contend with. That proved to be the case, although he contributed to an entertaining game by playing advantage on several occasions when other officials may have blown up early for a foul.

What next?

Everton: The Toffees will remain at Goodison Park next weekend with the visit of the Premier League's other Welsh club Swansea City.

Cardiff: As for Cardiff, they will take on Everton's rivals Liverpool at the Cardiff City Stadium.