Everton kept cool against Wigan when it mattered

True, it helped that Louis Saha got an equaliser not long after Scharner had got the wrong side of Leon Osman but even when the minutes were ticking by, Everton kept trying to pass the ball from side to side.

In such circumstances, it is easy for teams to lose their cool and start pumping a succession of long balls into the opposition's area but David will have been delighted that his players kept wanting to do the right thing. Eventually we got our rewards and while the penalty Leighton Baines drilled into the roof of the net came late in the day, it's hard to argue that we didn't deserve to take the three points - particularly after Marouane Fellaini and Jo came off the bench.

Those two men made significant contributions but don't overlook Tim Howard's input; people will say that this is a former number one sticking by a fellow member of the goalkeepers' union, but that is not the case.

His save when Wigan had a six against two break just before the end of normal tie was just as important as Leighton's penalty - if Scott Sinclair had scored, there really would have been no way back.

Happily, though, the opposite was true and the league table now makes much more pleasant viewing for us Evertonians but, more than that, it will give everyone at Finch Farm a much-needed lift.

Beating Wigan ensured last week ended on a high, following two high-profile signings and reaching the group stages of the Europa League, and that's why it is a such a shame there is no game for us this weekend to get our teeth into.

Belatedly, the season is up and running and by the time everyone reconvenes after these international fixtures, a fully focused squad must make sure we capitalise on that.

NOTHING TO FEAR ABOUT EURO DRAW

IT'S fair to say that Everton have rarely enjoyed the luck of the draw in Europe but I don't think there can be too many complaints about our Europa League group.

While Benfica, AEK Athens and Bate Borisov all have recent Champions League experience, Everton's players should not feel overawed about the size of the task they face before Christmas.

As far as I am concerned the Blues have an outstanding opportunity to progress through to the knockouts stages and they will make it happen if they continue to be such a strong unit at Goodison Park.

There will definitely be some nights to savour and the games against Benfica will be special occasions but are they the force they used to be? It could have definitely been worse.

And, who knows, maybe the teams we are due to play are worrying right now about coming to Goodison - if we are in the mood and have everyone fit and available, we can give the very best something to think about.

Distin is certainly someone to shout about

JOLEON LESCOTT or Sylvain Distin and £20m? If we are using Sunday's game with Wigan as a gauge, I know what my answer would be.

While you can't go overboard after just one game, you could not have been anything other than impressed with the way Distin slipped into his role as Lescott's successor and once again, David Moyes looks to have done a shrewd piece of business.

What impressed me most was the way Distin was looking to shout out instructions whenever possible and it could be that he takes over the mantle of Alan Stubbs.

I know from experience that Everton's defence is not full of vocal characters - we have certainly missed someone to have a good shout since Stubbsy left - and the manager might just tell his new Frenchman that he could become that kind of leader. He is experienced, athletic and blessed with great pace and Everton's back four looks all the better with him in it.