Premier League: Everton 1 Birmingham 1

Birmingham City moved out of the bottom three of the English Premier League with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Everton.

Chilean international Jean Beausejour headed Birmingham into an early lead before Everton pulled level with sumptuous side footer from Johnny Heitinga – his first goal for the club.

But despite controlling much of the possession, Everton could not snatch a winner, which would have clinched their third win in three games and put them firmly in the race for a European place.

Injuries hit both team selections – for Everton Phil Neville and Tim Cahill were missing alongside Marouane Fellaini, who has just been ruled for the season, while Alexander Hleb joined Birmingham’s ever-growing casualty list.

And it quickly got worse for both sides with Mikel Arteta helped off suffering from a hamstring injury while David Bentley limped out after picking up a knock in just the ninth minute.

That came after a bright start from the visitors when Sebastian Larsson’s deep free-kick found Cameron Jerome, whose goal-bound header was turned away at full stretch by Tim Howard.

Jermaine Beckford then shrugged off three challenges to hit a 22-yard effort that was well saved by Ben Foster and the Birmingham keeper then denied Leon Osman from a similar range.

The visitors were ahead in the 18th minute when Beausejour ghosted into the box and heeded home Jordon Mutch’s cross despite a flailing hand from Tim Howard.

But Everton were level 10 minutes before the break when Osman’s hard work earned a corner and when it was half-cleared to the edge of the box, Heitinga coolly curled a side-footer into the top left hand corner over the head of Lee Bowyer standing on the post.

Substitute Seamus Coleman then went close to giving the Toffees a half time lead with a far-post header that was gathered on the line by Foster.

Everton pressed at the start of the second half but found the visitors difficult to break down – Louis Saha going closest before being denied by a last ditch tackle from Mutch.

Osman had a long range effort tipped over as Birmingham held on for a point, which moved them into safety on goal difference and with a game in hand.