MICAH RICHARDS scored with virtually the last kick of the game to earn Manchester City a point at Everton.

His strike levelled Andrew Johnson's sixth goal of the season which looked to have given Everton a deserved victory.

Richards latched on to Georgios Samaras' flick in the fourth minute of injury time, just after the Greek striker had struck the woodwork.

Johnson could have scored twice before he found the net in the first half. He headed straight at Nicky Weaver from Nuno Valente's cross and almost got on the end of Lescott's knockdown.

James Beattie then had a goal ruled out on 37 minutes for a foul on Sylvain Distin after a neat finish on the turn.

He was then guilty of a dreadful miss two minutes before the interval when Johnson set him up in front of an open goal, but he stumbled over his finish.

There was no reprieve for City on the stroke of half-time - and it was the prolific Johnson who struck again for Everton.

Phil Neville swung in a cross from the right and Johnson met it with a crisp volley that beat Weaver via a deflection off Distin.

The second half saw Leon Osman shooting wide and Lescott going close fom Arteta's corner. Richard Dunne produced some brave block on the line to deny Johnson his second as City rarely threatened.

But Everton were forced to hang on in the closing stages, with Samaras shooting against the post from 20 yards before Richards struck in dramatic fashion.