Everton - 1 Birmingham - 1: Despite the late cheer of Duncan Ferguson's goal, the glass in Evertonian pubs must have seemed half empty at around 2.15pm. At 4.45pm it must have seemed half full, going on brimming. From commiseration to celebration.

Strictly there is nothing for Everton to celebrate just yet. After all, not even a Uefa Cup place, let alone the prized fourth Champions League berth, is yet assured. But the fans' mood swing was almost palpable. Seldom in the end can a home draw have felt so good.

David Moyes is accustomed to fine calculations. Yet even he could not have foreseen the gift to arrive from south London. At Goodison Park, after dredging out a draw against Birmingham, Everton's manager declared: "A point was good." It turned out to be the understatement of the day.

Everton survived almost in spite of themselves. James Beattie was reintroduced after more than two months out. The striker looked fit but in the 14th minute fluffed the kind of headed chance - unmarked, six yards out - that Ferguson feeds off. The £6 million man's hangdog look as he was substituted summed up his afternoon.

Gradually, after Ferguson and then Marcus Bent emerged from the bench, Everton improved as they reverted to the two-man strike force that overcame Manchester United in midweek. For the moment Ferguson, even at 33, is priceless. His two goals in less than three days may have defined Everton's season.

Steve Bruce thought it the product of luck that deserted his team. He summarised: "Bent's got three ricochets and it's bounced to Duncan." Ferguson, six yards out, did not miss.

It was scarcely as clean and sweet as the fifth-minute goal that appeared to have won the day for Birmingham. Jermaine Pennant quickly supplied Emile Heskey, whose early shot from 22 yards surprised Nigel Martyn.

At around £3 million, Pennant is about to become a Birmingham player. Bruce confirmed: "We've agreed a fee with Arsenal and we're in discussions with his representatives."