Unsworth strike salvages point

Everton - 1 Birmingham City - 1:SOCCER/English FA Premiership: Kenny Cunningham knew nothing about it, but he helped save Everton's unbeaten record in a frantic Goodison Park showdown.

The game was two minutes into added time when David Unsworth unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot from outside the box.

Everton had been battering away at the newly promoted Midlanders with 10 men in a desperate bid to salvage something from a game that seemed lost.

But nobody told Unsworth. His drive smashed into a post, bounced out and clattered into the back of Republic of Ireland defender Cunningham before cannoning back into the net.

You can bet Cunningham won't want that on his record while Unsworth will claim the goal for all he's worth.

It underlined Everton's new-found guts and determination and cruelly robbed Birmingham of what they thought was the first Premiership victory.

They had led from the 49th minute when Everton were reduced to 10 men with Alan Stubbs sent off for pulling back Stern John in a lengthy tussle as the pair raced for possession.

Stubbs was the last man, he had to go, and John climbed off the deck to blast the penalty for Birmingham's first goal of the season and what looked like their winner.

But Everton deserved something from a grandstand finish, regardless of their numerical deficiency, and Unsworth was the man to provide it.

There was no Richard Wright or Mark Pembridge for Everton, injury and sickness forcing them out, which meant first games of the season for Unsworth and Steve Simonsen, with teenager Wayne Rooney - left on the bench at Sunderland at the weekend - recalled in a three-man front line.

Robbie Savage, booked 15 times last season and available for his new club now after suspension, managed his customary caution after just 37 minutes. Some things don't change.

EVERTON: Simonsen, Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Naysmith (Rodrigo 85), Gravesen, Tie Li, Unsworth, Radzinski, Campbell, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Alexandersson, Linderoth, Carsley, Gerrard. Sent Off: Stubbs (49). Goals: Unsworth 90.

BIRMINGHAM: Vaesen, Tebily (Kenna 35), Cunningham, Purse, Grainger, Damien Johnson, Savage, Cisse, Hughes (Carter 70), Horsfield (Morrison 81), John. Subs Not Used: Bennett, Mooney. Booked: Damien Johnson, Savage, Hughes. Goals: John 50 pen.

Referee: E Wolstenholme (Lancashire).