Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar handed Everton a seventh successive home league win against a ten-man Bolton at Goodison Park, as they continue their push for a European place.
David Moyes' dominant side were forced to be patient against a tough Bolton rearguard, until Gretar Steinsson saw red for a foul on Yakubu in the 71st minute.
Midfield maestro Mikel Arteta curled in the resulting free kick, before Steven Pienaar sealed the three pionts with a powerful, decisive second near full time.
The toffees had the lion's share of possession during a scrappy first half, but it was Bolton that came closest to breaking the deadlock.
Neat interplay from Lee Chung-Yong and Jack Wilshere allowed Kevin Davies a shot on goal after a flowing move, but Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard made a fine save with his outstretched leg.
Victor Anichebe was played in on goal by a superb through-ball from Tim Cahill but was clattered by Robinson who slid across to tackle.
The Nigerian striker, only recently back from a long-term knee injury, took a knock in the ribs early on and was stretchered off and replaced by winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
But the Russian appeared to struggle, hastily blasting over with a left-footed strike in front of goal midway through the first half, as their initial dominance slowly faded.
Everton stepped up the pressure in the second half and Pienaar had a volley blocked by Steinsson, with Yakubu's effort on the rebound being ground by Jaaskelainen after a deflection.
Heitinga also tested Jaaskelainen from long range before Cahill appeared to nudge the ball past the goalkeeper to create another opening, but referee Alan Wiley awarded a free-kick to Bolton.
The Blues maintained the momentum and Jagielka went close after 68 minutes as he rose to meet an Arteta free-kick with a firm header but Jaaskelainen saved well.
Bolton struggled to cope with Everton's increased tempo.
The breakthrough came when Gretar Steinsson was given his marching orders after making contact with Yakubu as he raced clear from a superb Pienaar pass.
Steinsson was given a red card and Arteta's exquisite execution of the resulting free-kick, fooled Jaaskelainen as the ball nestled inside his unguarded right post.
Substitute Osman should have added a second but rattled the woodwork after Jaaskelainen parried a Heitinga shot.
Osman redeemed himself when he weaved his way into the area with two minutes remaining and pulled the ball back to present Pienaar with a simple finish with an unstoppable shot.
Speaking after the match Everton manager David Moyes said:
"We had the best of the play and we controlled most of the ball in the first half without being able to create in the final third.
"We needed a good Tim Howard save in the first half but we needed to be patient and we got our reward in the end.
"It was a great pass by Steven Pienaar to get Yakubu away - scoring the goal as well was a double whammy for Bolton, and it was a great free-kick."
davey, north wales around 1 year, 10 months ago