EVERTON 1 SAINTS 1

JASON DODD awoke a drab affair at Goodison with a 30-yard strike on goal but Michael Ball rescued a point for Everton from the penalty spot.

Dean Richards and Jo Tessem both failed pre-match fitness tests on a heel and foot injuries respectively. So Tahar El Khalej moved into the centre of defence alongside Claus Lundekvam, playing in a protective plastic mask to protect a fractured cheek bone.

With Uwe Rosler undergoing a hernia operation, manager Glenn Hoddle recalled Kevin Davies for his first start since fracturing a toe in the second game of the season. His sharp display for the Reserves on Monday earned him the nod over James Beattie.

Trond Soltvedt was given his first Premiership start to the season with Matthew Le Tissier serving a one match ban on his 32nd birthday for a red card in the Reserves.

Saints carved out a chance within the first minute when Pahars broke through the middle and found Kachloul in space to the left but he dragged his shot well wide of the far post.

A cross from the left by Marsden was nodded away from Davies by Weir. From the resulting throw Davies turned the ball in and Soltvedt had a powerful shot blocked by Weir at close range.

A great ball by Bridge sent Marsden away down the left but his cross towards Pahars was deflected into the arms of Gerrard.

Jones claimed a deep Ball cross from the head of Watson and then Gerrard just managed to hang onto an awkward centre from Kachloul with El Khalej lurking behind.

Gravesen was judged to have got the faintest of touches to a cross by Pahars to concede a corner and Kachloul's kick fizzed across the area with an Everton head just diverting it away from the crowd of red and white shirts rushing in.

Bridge made a storming run past Gravesen but saw his cross knocked behind by Dunne. Kachloul's corner skimmed off an Everton head for El Khalej whose flying header hit the top of the bar. In injury-time Gerrard just beat Soltvedt to a diagonal ball from Pahars. Half-time:

EVERTON 0 - SAINTS 0

Everton made a switch at the start of the second half sending on Moore in place of Mark Hughes. They also reverted to a flat back four with Gravesen pushing up into midfield.

Within three minutes the Danish International almost set up the opening goal in a rare moment of creativity as he hit a diagonal ball into the path of Campbell but Lundekvam just got there first.

A 30-yard shot by Marsden was deflected behind by Watson but Lundekvam failed to connect cleanly with Kachloul's corner.

At the other end Dodd stuck out a leg to divert Nyarko's shot behind and Gascoigne's kick was chested away by Kachloul.

A quick-fire move involving Soltvedt, Oakley and Kachloul ended with Pahars hitting a dipping shot over the bar.

Out of the blue Saints took the lead on 75 minutes when the ball dropped to DODD 30 yards out and he slammed it back first-time on the volley. Gerrard got a hand to it but was beaten by the power.

But with ten minutes left Everton drew level.. Gascoigne sprayed the ball wide right for Gravesen whose cross found Nyarko who was fouled behind by a reckless lunge from Davies. Referee David Elleray pointed to the spot and BALL sent Jones the wrong way. Considering he had already been booked Davies could have gone off for the challenge.