Everton manager David Moyes was able to celebrate signing his new contract in style as Thomas Gravesen fired his team to a hard-fought victory against ten-man Birmingham City at St Andrew's.
Moyes had signed a money-spinning new five-year deal on the eve of the match that ties him to Goodison Park until 2009.
Gravesen ensured that he had even more to celebrate with a 68th minute penalty that kept Everton firmly up among the Premiership high-flyers.
It was also the perfect way for Everton to end a week that had seen them beaten at Chelsea and then eliminated from the Carling Cup by Arsenal.
Birmingham, who had to play the final 22 minutes with ten men after Muzzy Izzet was dismissed for the handball that presented Everton with their penalty, only had themselves to blame for the defeat as they once again toiled in front of goal despite creating a host of chances.
Scoring goals has been a problem all season for Birmingham and they have now netted just once in their last five Premiership games with that strike coming from Darren Anderton in their previous match - the 1-0 win at Liverpool.
Birmingham never looked like pulling off a top-class Merseyside double once they failed to take advantage of their early domination.
Birmingham had the best of the opening exchanges but not for the first time this season they lacked a cutting edge.
Jesper Gronkjaer twice failed to hit the target from good positions while Izzet's close-range header flew straight at goalkeeper Nigel Martyn in the 12th minute.
Having successfully ridden the early storm, Everton gradually managed to grab a foot-hold in the match.
But, like Birmingham, they were unable to make their chances pay - although they did at least test goalkeeper Maik Taylor. Leon Osman and Tim Cahill both forced the Northern Ireland international to save before Taylor did well to hold a fierce 30th minute free-kick from Gravesen at the second attempt.
But Taylor then threatened to throw away all his good work when he twice spilled the ball following a cross from Gravesen before he was rescued by a clearance from Julian Gray.
Birmingham's problems in front of goal then continued on the stroke of half-time when Emile Heskey lifted his volley over the bar after being released by a good throughball from Gronkjaer.
Heskey again failed to hit the target 20 minutes into the second half when he lashed another volley over the bar.
By wasting so many opportunities Birmingham were playing a dangerous game and their luck ran out 22 minutes from time.
Everton won a corner after Taylor had pushed a header from Tim Cahill around the post and when the cross came in Lee Carsley's shot was handled on the line by Izzet.
Gravesen gleefully accepted the chance to score from the spot as he drilled a low drive past Taylor.
Having lost Izzet, Birmingham were always up against it in their search for an equaliser.
But it needed a goal-line clearance from Tony Hibbert following a header from Heskey in the 72nd minute to deny them a share of the spoils.
To add insult to injury, substitute Dwight Yorke then blazed over the bar from just ten yards out in the final minute.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Thomas Gravesen (Everton) - Kept his cool with the vital spot-kick and was at the heart of all his side's good work.