Twice Everton held a two goal advantage but were eventually pegged back to a 3-3 draw at Aston Villa. Marouane Fellaini gave Everton the lead before Tim Cahill doubled the visitor's advantage.
. John Carew slammed reduce the arrears making it 2-1 at the break.
Against the run of play Everton scored again through Steven Pienaar but then the Villa fightback began.
James Milner scored direct from a free-kick before Gareth Barry equalised from the spot after Joleon Lescott had fouled Stiliyan Petrov.
Villa remain fifth, one point ahead of Everton, but have now extended their winless streak to ten games.
Speaking to Setanta after the game Villa skipper Gareth Barry praised his side's character.
"I think it is a big point for us but it's slightly disappointing with the goals we are conceding at the moment, another three against, but we showed great character and hopefully it will be a big point at the end of the season," he said.
"There were a few mistakes in there but we both try and play good, direct football, we try and counter-attack and they are a bit more direct and we sort of cancel each other rout but it was another great game."
Barry himself hit Villa's third goal after Joleon Lescott was penalised for a foul on Stiliyan Petrov. "It was a high foot and it would definitely be given outside the box so they should be given inside so it was a definite penalty."