A late penalty ended Everton's poor run and earned them a 2-1 win over Wolves at Goodison Park.
Goals from England duo Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines provided David Moyes with a much-needed three points.
Moyes' side went into the game behind Wolves sitting just 17th in the table, proving once again their inability to start a campaign strongly, despite their Premier League pedigree.
Mick McCarthy was looking to build on a morale-boosting victory over relegation rivals Wigan Athletic, and with virtually a fully fit team to choose from, a win over the Toffees, who have struggled at home, was possible.
And it was a busy start at Goodison Park, with Everton dominating the lion's share of possession, pressing Wolves back deep into their own half.
The first chance came for the Toffees as Seamus Coleman found Royston Drenthe with a well worked cross, but the Dutchman could only find the hands of keeper Wayne Hennessey.
Everton continued to go forward but they were unable to find a way through as their attacks continued to grind to a halt in the Wolves penalty area.
Against the run of play, McCarthy’s men earned a penalty after Marouane Fellaini brought down Wolves midfielder David Edwards on the edge of the area. Stephen Hunt stepped up and rattled the ball right down the centre, sending keeper Tim Howard the wrong way.
The home crowd was stunned into silence as they saw their team fall behind despite dominating possession. However, just as it seemed Everton would be going in at half-time behind, Jagielka equalised, heading home a Baines free-kick.
The first half ended in controversy as Everton felt they should have had a penalty. Karl Henry appeared to pull down Tim Cahill inside the area after a blocked Fellaini shot but referee Jon Moss waved play on, and the sides went into the break level.
Everton continued to dominate after the interval, but once again found it difficult to break down the Wolves defence, much to the frustration of the Everton fans, with Cahill missing from close range.
The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute when Everton won a penalty after Ward was penalised for leaning on Louis Saha. Baines made no mistake from the spot, giving Everton all three points.