Birmingham started much brighter and derservedly took the lead but Everton just shaded the chances and eventuially salvaged a point.

Everton surge forward at the death and create a great opening for Hibbert 12 yards out but Taylor makes the save.

Steve Watson wrestles Melchiot to the ground and picks up a yellow card.

The referee indicates that there will be three minutes of injury time.

Birmingham make their final change and replace Jermaine Pennant with Martin Taylor.

Taylor makes a great double save from Cahill and then Bent but Duncan Ferguson makes no mistake with the follow up.

Birmingham are still looking solid and Everton's attacks are getting a lot more desperate.

The substitute Clemence delays the taking of a throw in and is booked for time wasting.

Ferguson nods a free kick down for Osman but the young winger is falling backwards and the shot dribbles through to Taylor.

Steve Bruce make another change and replace Darren Anderton with Stephen Clemence.

Everton win the ball in midfield and surge forward but Kevin Kilbane's shot is well wide.

Birmingham are inviting pressure as they are beginning to sit a little deeper.

Everton are forcing a number of free kicks and are always a threat, particularly with Duncan Ferguson on the pitch.

Kenny Cunningham clatters into Kevin Kilbane after losing the ball and earns a booking.

Birmingham make their first change and bring on Robbie Blake for Walter Pandiani.

Everton earn a free kick and Arteta crosses the ball into the middle but Bent's header is saved by Taylor.

The passing has become a little slack as both teams are guilty of giving the ball away.

Everton make their final change and erplace James Beattie with Marcus Bent.

Birmingham break forward again but Walter Pandiani's 20 yard effort is saved easily by Martyn.

From the corner Mario Melchiot rises well but, under pressure from Duncan Ferguson, doesn't trouble the keeper.

Pennant again does well down the right and puts in a great cross but Heskey can't quite reach it but Everton scramble it behind.

Lazaridis puts in a great cross and Nafti steals in at the far post and heads down but the ball bounces over.

The game has got a bit scrappy as both teams are conceding needless free kicks.

The home side attack again but Tim Cahill doesn't get hold of his shot and Taylor gathers comfortably.

Everton have started brightly and changed their system with the substitutions.

Leon Osman's shot is deflected behind but from the corner James Beattie sends his header over.

Everton make a double change at half time and replace Pistone and Carsley with Watson and Ferguson.

Birmingham started well and took the lead but Everton have come into it more and perhaps should have equalised.

Birmingham break forward and feed Heskey but he drags his shot wide from the edge of the box.

Everton force a corner and Joseph Yobo wins the header 10 yards out but Taylor makes the save.

Despite Everton's pressure Maik Taylor still hasn't made a save and Birmingham are standing firm.

Kenny Cunningham challenges Leon Osman in the box and Everton appeal for a penalty but nothing is given.

Everton pen Birmingham back in their half but Tony Hibbert ambitiously goes for goal, 25 yards out, and can't hit the target.

Birmingham counter well and force a corner and the ball breaks to Anderton but his 25 yard effort goes well wide.

Everton are certainly on the front foot but so far they have not forced Maik Taylor into a save.

Mario Melchiot flys into a tackle on Tim Cahill and earns himself a yellow card.

Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert combine well down the right but Tim Cahill's header is well off target.

The tackles have started to fly in but Everton are gradually asserting themselves on this game.

Lee Carsley goes into the referee's notebook for dissent.

Pennant does well again down the right but his cross is headed well wide by Walter Pandiani.

Everton have come into it a lot more now and seem to have come to terms with the early goal.

Leon Osman beats Melchiot down the right and crosses for an unmarked Beattie who heads wide.

Birmingham are on top at the moment and Jermaine Pennant is causing Everton all sorts of problems.

The early goal has given the visitors a lift and they are now looking lively when going forward.

Pennant played a great ball through to Heskey down the right channel, 20 yards out, who shoots across Martyn into the far corner.

Everton have started brightly and are using the ball well but so far have not troubled Birmingham.

The match referee, Andy D'Urso, gets the game underway.