Birmingham prevented Everton from leapfrogging them in the league by coming back from two goals down to secure a draw at St Andrews.

The game began as if both teams were content with their positions in mid-table rather than intent on pushing for an improbable European place but that impression soon evaporated as Everton suddenly stepped up a gear.

Steven Pienaar and Tim Cahill both forced fine saves from Joe Hart before Victor Anichebe received a Phil Neville pass with his back to goal in the 19th minute, then spun past Liam Ridgewell and rifled the ball into the top corner.

Before Birmingham could come up with a response they fell further behind as Pienaar dodged past Lee Bowyer on the byline and chipped a ball to the back post, where Yakubu nodded it into the net.

Now came the home side’s reply, and a dollop of good luck. Cameron Jerome did little more than graze Keith Fahey’s cross with his laces but that was enough to confound the Everton defence and the ball hurtled through Phil Jagielka’s legs and beyond goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Birmingham became more energetic and assertive in midfield and stretched Everton regularly after that, but a long-range bobbler from Christian Benítez was all they sent by way of shot in the remainder of the first half, and Howard collected that comfortably. At the other end Hart plunged full-length to catch the ball on the stroke of half-time, though there had been no need to as Leighton Baines’s freekick was heading wide.

Within seven minutes of the resumption Birmingham were level with a goal of simple conception. Hart launched a goalkick downfield, Jerome headed it on and Craig Gardner struck a low, first-time shot into the net from the edge of the area.

Everton regained control of midfield after that and their quick interplay constantly had Birmingham going backwards. Alex McLeish’s men defended vigilantly, however, and chances were scarce. Cahill surged from deep to shoot from 18 yards in the 74th minute, but Hart blocked without difficulty.

Injuries to Cahill and Anichebe interrupted the visitors’ attempts to forge a winner. The casualties meant substitute Landon Donovan came on for Yakubu but he did not get an opportunity to score a valedictory goal before his return to the USA.

Premier LeagueBirmingham CityEvertonPaul Doyleguardian.co.uk

There was scant consolation in bringing Birmingham City’s five-match winning streak to an end for Everton this afternoon. A game to confirm their season had turned for the good was one they should have won convincingly. Instead they departed without a win for the eighth successive game at Goodison Park, their worst home run since 1972, and still adrift in the Premier League table.

It was a source of both annoyance and bewilderment to Everton that the game should have been beyond Birmingham long before the visitors equalised with their first attack in the 21st minute.

Moyes’s decision to deploy Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Steven Pienaar on unorthodox flanks was vindicated immediately as the home side made a vibrant, incisive start that suggested the two clubs occupied false positions in the table. From a throw-in on the right by Tony Hibbert, Louis Saha chested the ball into Bilyaletdinov’s path and the left-footed Russia international stepped inside Lee Bowyer to sweep his fourth goal in nine Everton games past Joe Hart.

The early goal increased Everton’s appetite for more and they should have had the luxury of a two-goal lead inside eight minutes. Tim Cahill was a major influence on the home side’s initial dominance and his piercing pass enabled Saha to beat the Birmingham offside trap plus Hart’s despairing dive. The celebrations for what would have been the French striker’s 11th league goal of the season, however, were curtailed by the assistant referee’s errant offside call.

Birmingham failed to heed the reprieve, with their lethargic start prompting a furious response from Alex McLeish and his assistant, Roy Aitken, in the away technical area.

The chances continued to come and go Everton’s way. Somewhat inevitably, given Everton’s inability to take full advantage, the visitors then levelled from their first meaningful attack. Sebastian Larsson found Christian Benítez inside the home penalty area and then scampered after the return on the blind side of Marouane Fellaini. Benítez followed his instructions to perfection, and a simple square pass behind the Belgian midfielder invited the former Arsenal man to beat Tim Howard into the far corner.

Premier LeagueEvertonBirmingham CityAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk