Everton 2, Charlton Athletic 1.

Everton moved into fifth place in the Premiership - and within touching distance of Europe - thanks to James McFadden's first goal for the club since December.

But it left relegation-haunted Charlton in despair, after the Londoners thought they had claimed a priceless point with a fine Darren Bent goal in the final minute of normal time.

The strike had left manager Alan Pardew leaping around on the touchline, but he came crashing down to earth when McFadden lashed home deep into four minutes of injury-time.

McFadden has been out with a broken metatarsal, and this was his first game back, coming on in the second half for the ineffective James Beattie.

Now only his goal of the season has put Everton in with a great chance of reaching the UEFA Cup.

For Charlton there is only more pain, having squandered a succession of chances before Joleon Lescott put Everton ahead with nine minutes to go.

There was still time for Bent's equaliser and then Everton's dramatic winner, sending Charlton closer to the drop.

But apart from a powerful run from Zheng Zhi, Bent was left to lead the line largely on his own as Everton dominated the opening spell.

Andrew Johnson was sharp and a constant threat to the back line, and Lee Carsley went close from 20 yards.

Everton's pressure was mounting, and Beattie - back in the side with teenagers Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan both injured - was unfortunate not to score in a period of sustained pressure.

Charlton were content to continue with their deep defence in the hope of using Bent's strength and pace to catch Everton on the break.

The Addicks were slowly getting in to the game and should have levelled but Zheng Zhi scorned a far-post tap-in after Bent had flicked on a corner.

Everton's progress had been painful to watch, there was no snap or guile about their play and Arteta was having little impact.

But after 81 minutes, following Thatcher giving away a needless corner, Everton stole in front. Arteta's cross was nodded out to McFadden, who hit a rising shot that Johnson diverted goalwards.

Scott Carson made a fine point-blank save, but Lescott was there to crash home the rebound. Charlton kept going forward and were finally rewarded in the 90th minute throughs Bent, who took it wide of two defenders before lashing it past Tim Howard into the far corner. That should have been it.

But in the second minute of time added on, McFadden unleashed a fierce drive that flew past Carson.