West Ham 2 Everton 2:  James Beattie's ninth goal of the season for Everton 20 minutes from time put a dent in West Ham's Champions League ambitions as they dropped their first point at home since a 3-1 defeat by Chelsea in early January.

The home side looked good for their sixth win in a row when Marlon Harewood notched his 13th goal of the campaign after only 10 minutes and Dean Ashton restored their lead in the 23rd after an equaliser by Everton's Leon Osman.

But the home side lost their way in a ragged second period and Beattie produced one of the few magic moments with a clever lob which brought his side a deserved point.

West Ham had a full-strength side on parade as Teddy Sheringham could only make the bench after signing a new one-year contract.

Everton, who have been beaten only twice in their last 10 matches, had Phil Neville and Tony Hibbert back from suspensions and on-loan goalkeeper Sander Westerveld between the posts.

Hammers survived a jittery opening in their own penalty area to take a 10th-minute lead with Marlon Harewood's 13th goal of the season.

Hayden Mullins and Matthew Etherington started to probe. It was Etherington who began the move which ended with Mullins' shot being blocked in the eighth minute - but two minutes later there was no stopping Harewood.

A sweeping West Ham move ended with Yossi Benayoun making the perfect pass for Harewood to drill home from 18 yards.

Although Leon Osman equalised for Everton eight minutes later, Dean Ashton restored the Londoners' lead with his third goal in four appearances since his £7million move from Norwich.

Everton stuck to their guns with consistent endeavour and after they collected a second booking of the match when Arteta clashed with Anton Ferdinand, they snatched a 70th minute equaliser through James Beattie.

The West Ham defence opened up for the striker to dispatch a perfect lob over Hislop to bring the scores level.

PA