Marcus Bent's stoppage-time equaliser was cruel proof to Southampton of just how hard Everton are to beat these days.

All eyes were on former Saint James Beattie at the start when he grabbed a fifth-minute opener, but he faded after an explosive start and it appeared to be Harry Redknapp's hard-working team who would win the day after goals from Peter Crouch and Henri Camara.

A fourth league win of the season was a matter of seconds away for Southampton when Bent raced into the box and found the net with a rasping finish from a tight angle.

Beattie's impact on the match was almost immediate as Tim Cahill's header was pushed out by deputy goalkeeper Paul Smith straight to the £6million man, who volleyed home venomously with his right foot.

On-loan Camara was first to threaten a repair to the damage of Beattie's early strike with a purposeful run up the left in the 10th minute - only for Blues goalkeeper Nigel Martyn to bravely cut out his cross which was aimed towards the towering Crouch.

Camara, making his first home start since joining on loan from Wolves via Celtic, continued to probe and from one David Prutton pass he slanted in a superb centre for which there were no takers in the six-yard box.

The Senegalese forward then needed the intervention of an offside decision to save his embarrassment soon afterwards.

Everton's Alan Stubbs was glad of it, too, having given the ball away to Crouch who slipped it forward to Camara in plenty of space and with only Martyn to beat.

But the dashing forward shot wildly wide, unaware referee Andy D'Urso had stopped the game and given Everton a free-kick.

Just as Saints threatened to vigorously test the famed powers of Everton's rearguard, Beattie became a major threat again in the 27th minute when he seized a long ball down the centre which came in over his shoulder and hooked a great effort on target which Smith smartly turned over the crossbar.

Camara fluffed another chance of shooting Saints level when he fired well wide from Crouch's knock-down of a Prutton cross. The hosts nearly paid dearly when a poor Claus Lundekvam backpass forced Smith to scurry from his line and smother James McFadden's unexpected opportunity.

They made the most of the escape when Rory Delap's looping cross from the right found Crouch leaping above all challengers to head the 36th-minute equaliser Saints deserved, even though Cahill missed a gilt-edged headed chance to put Everton back in front before the break.

It allowed Saints to start the second half like a train and after Martyn made a wonder save from Camara and D'Urso turned down a strong penalty appeal against David Weir, who clearly handled the ball just inside the area.

But there could be no doubt at all about the goal Camara scored in the 55th minute. He swapped passes out on the right with Prutton before slotting a neat shot inside Martyn's near post.

Everton brought on the fearsome Duncan Ferguson, who helped to batter down the doors of Norwich's defence earlier in the week to earn a win. Also on was new loan signing Mikel Arteta from Real Sociedad.

Arteta was booked almost at once for a foul that sent Camara somersaulting into the air but could not contain his box of tricks.

Crouch went on one glorious individual run late on but shot straight at Martyn with his eventual effort on goal, and Everton produced one of their now trademark late shows.

They beat Saints with an 88th-minute Leon Osman goal at Goodison Park back in October and broke their hearts again when Bent raced away, appeared to have been forced too far wide but smashed a shot too high for Smith and in off the underside of the crossbar.

Teams

Southampton Smith, Prutton, Lundekvam, Davenport, Bernard, Delap, Redknapp, Quashie, Le Saux, Crouch, Camara.

Subs Not Used: Jakobsson, Anders Svensson, Blayney, Telfer, Ormerod.

Goals: Crouch 36, Camara 55.

Everton Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs (Arteta 59), Weir, Pistone, McFadden, Cahill, Yobo, Carsley (Bent 45), Kilbane (Ferguson 59), Beattie.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Naysmith.

Booked: Hibbert, Arteta.

Goals: Beattie 4, Bent 90.

Att: 31,509

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).