JAMES BEATTIE'S ninth goal of the season for Everton 20 minutes from time put a dent in West Ham's Champions League ambitions as they failed in their attempt to win their sixth Premiership game in a row. The home side survived a jittery opening in their own penalty area to take a 10th-minute lead with Marlon Harewood's 13th goal of the season. A sweeping West Ham move ended with Yossi Benayoun making the perfect pass for Harewood to drill home from 18 yards.

But, after the home side's South American full-back Lionel Scaloni shot over with a powerful drive, it was Leon Osman who put the visitors back on terms. He was in just the right spot to snap up Mikel Arteta's pass and drive past goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. Within five minutes, however, Dean Ashton's powerful run down the inside left channel finished with an unstoppable shot which gave West Ham the lead again. The striker had muscled his way through, after Harewood nodded on Hislop's long clearance.

After that stunning opening the rest of the game was something of an anti-climax but Everton stuck to their guns with consistent endeavour and they snatched a 70th minute equaliser through James Beattie. The West Ham defence opened up for the striker to dispatch a perfect lob over Hislop to bring the scores level.