Trevor Sinclair enjoyed a dream debut with two goals for West Ham but it was still not enough for all three points against Everton.

The £2million man twice put the home side in front with a goal in each half on his first appearance for the Hammers since his move across London from Queens Park Rangers.

But Everton refused to lie down and levelled through goals from Nick Barmby and Mickael Madar to take a fully deserved point.

It meant Everton have now taken 13 points from their last six games to give them some much-needed breathing space at the bottom end of the table.

It was a result that had looked unlikely before the game as the visitors were without the services of several key players.

Captain Gary Speed had refused to travel with the team following his written transfer request in what was looking to become a messy end to his spell at Goodison Park.

And with Carl Tiler suspended and Andy Hinchcliffe sold to Sheffield Wednesday, new signing John O'Kane was given his first game since signing from Manchester United.

It did not take long for the frailties in Everton's defence to be exposed as West Ham took the lead with less than 10 minutes gone.

Sinclair was left completely unmarked in the penalty area and stooped low to head past Thomas Myrhe for his first ever goal for the club.

That was West Ham's first real chance of the game and in fact they could already have been one down if Ferguson had found a better finish inside the first minute.

Slaven Bilic's long ball was flicked on by Madar to find Ferguson in yards of space on the left-hand side of the area.

His left foot volley was sweetly struck but it flew past Craig Forrest's right-hand post.

The aerial presence of Ferguson and Madar continued to cause problems for West Ham and Forrest had to be at his best to save from Madar with 15 minutes gone.

This time Ferguson was the provider, flicking on for Madar, who looked to be running back from an offside position. Instead the Frenchman attempted to lob Forrest but the home keeper did superbly well to smother the attempt.

Ten minutes later, Everton were deservedly level as another of the game's smaller players was allowed to score with a rare header.

Ferguson won yet another header and cleverly steered the ball across the area for Barmby to head in at the far post.

Everton just about deserved to be level but after the equaliser, West Ham dominated the rest of the half and should have gone in at half-time with their lead restored.

Hartson wasted the best opportunity, firing at the goalkeeper's legs after he had easily turned the last defender just five yards out from goal.

Hartson then turned provider, a beautiful first-time ball setting Sinclair clear. He appeared to have got the better of Bilic but the former West Ham man did well to get back and block Sinclair's shot.

Everton could have been well satisfied with their first-half display but within two minutes of the restart, they went behind for a second time.

Berkovic broke through to the edge of the area with a dazzling run before Sinclair nipped in front of his teammate to finish well into the bottom corner.

It took only 12 minutes for Everton to level, however, as they took advantage of the second of Rio Ferdinand's two uncharacteristic mistakes.

Ferdinand was lucky to escape his first blunder on 57 minutes when he gave the ball straight to Ferguson only for the Everton man to shoot weakly at the goalkeeper with the goal at his mercy.

He was not so lucky the second time as Madar showed Ferguson exactly how to finish in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Ferdinand should have cut out Farrelly's cross but missed his kick completely to leave Madar free at the back post for a simple finish.

Sinclair clearly felt it was up to him to win the game almost singlehandedly and he almost added a third on 68 minutes but his curling shot was just too close to the goalkeeper.

Sinclair was then substituted with a few minutes left and left the field to a standing ovation with the Hammers faithful in no doubt that it was £2million well spent.

Teams:

West Ham: Forrest, Breacker, Pearce, Ferdinand, Lomas, Lazaridis, Lampard, Berkovic, Potts, Sinclair (Hodges 85), Hartson.

Subs Not Used: Sealey, Bishop, Mean, Coyne.

Goals: Sinclair 10, 48.

Everton: Myhre, O'Kane (Allen 69), Ward, Ball, Watson, Bilic, Grant, Farrelly, Barmby, Ferguson, Madar (Cadamarteri 80).

Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Dunne, Oster.

Booked: Farrelly, O'Kane.

Goals: Barmby 25, Madar 60.

Att: 25,909

Ref: M D Reed (Birmingham).