Aston Villa and Everton produced an enthralling 3-3 draw at Villa Park, but the result does little to help the two clubs' UEFA Champions League aspirations.
Martin O'Neill's men twice clawed back from a two-goal deficit, with captain Gareth Barry securing a point with an emphatic penalty midway through the second half.
Everton were two goals to the good by the midway point of the first half thanks to the predatory instincts of midfield duo Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill.
Record signing Fellaini broke the deadlock on 19 minutes when he tapped home from close range following Leighton Baines' low ball across the six-yard box.
And within minutes it was 2-0 as Cahill reacted the quickest to nod home the loose ball after the Australian's initial header came back off the crossbar.
Villa pulled a goal back on 33 minutes when John Carew smashed his shot into the net after the hosts kept alive a James Milner cross which caught Everton keeper Tim Howard hesitating.
The Toffees restored their two-goal cushion on 54 minutes when Phil Neville, making his 400th Premier League appearance, fed Steven Pienaar on the edge of the box and the South African midfielder turned sharply to curl a sumptuous shot past Brad Friedel.
But Villa were immediately back in the game when Milner fired a 25-yard free-kick around the defensive wall and inside Howard's near post.
And Villa claimed a point on 66 minutes when skipper Barry rammed home a penalty after Joleon Lescott's high boot caught Stiliyan Petrov in the head.
Villa substitute Nathan Delfouneso was denied by Howard in injury-time, but defeat would have been cruel on either side.
Highlight:
Aston Villa v Everton
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