Everton punish lapse by Crouch

Southampton - 2 Everton - 2: Southampton's tendency to rally like a revitalised patient after worrying bedside bulletins has sustained them in the top flight for the best part of 30 years. But the vigil at St Mary's is likely to continue until the end of the season after Everton's injury-time equaliser deprived them of two vital points which would have taken them above Norwich in the relegation zone.

Even Peter Crouch's improbable height was not enough to protect his ears from a stereo blast from the Redknapp family, manager Harry and team-mate Jamie, at the final whistle. It was Crouch's shot at goal, when he might have been better to concentrate on possession, that led to Everton's last-gasp strike from substitute Marcus Bent that keeps them five points ahead of Liverpool in fourth place, with next month's derby at Anfield looking increasingly relevant.

The player everyone was looking at yesterday was James Beattie, whose £6 million move to Goodison Park gave Redknapp the funds he craved for. It was Beattie who opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a sharp, instinctive volley after Tim Cahill's header had been parried by the Saints goalkeeper Paul Smith, playing in place of the injured Antti Niemi, who has had an operation on an injured knee. This was the first time Everton had taken the lead this season without going on to win.

Crouch, who put in yet another towering performance in every sense, headed Southampton level from Rory Delap's throw-in in the 36th minute. And 10 minutes after the break they deservedly took the lead. Camara set up the move with a clever back-heel to David Prutton before sprinting on for the return pass to beat Nigel Martyn with a fierce drive.

Everton were palpably second best. But then, at the death, Duncan Ferguson flicked the long ball into the path of Bent who went round Calum Davenport before defeating Smith with a fine rising shot. If the initial glory went to Beattie the last fell to the man whose automatic place he has taken.