WOLVES, Wigan, West Ham, West Brom and now Birmingham are the fistful of teams currently fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

But it’s not just a battle to beat the drop which unites the bottom five.

Every one has also come away from Goodison Park this season with some reward.

Birmingham were the latest last night, when the problems Everton face in breaking down resolute visitors were thrown into cruel focus by yet another devastating injury.

Already missing the colossal influence of Marouane Fellaini, Phil Neville and Tim Cahill, Goodison collectively groaned after just seven minutes when Mikel Arteta pulled up sharply in obvious agony clutching his right hamstring.

The Spanish playmaker had just enjoyed his best performance of the season at St James’ Park four days earlier, but he now looks set for an extended period on the sidelines.

And without his creative catalyst Everton laboured to break down a resolute Birmingham side desperate for points to climb out of the Premier League’s drop zone.

Johnny Heitinga did so once, with a gloriously controlled shot after 34 minutes. But his first goal for the club was only enough to claim a point after yet another defensive lapse had allowed Jean Beausejour to open the scoring 18 minutes earlier.

It was trouble with the plumbing which caused this fixture to be postponed on Boxing Day.

But both teams were left with that sinking feeling last night.

Birmingham’s battle to beat the drop was enhanced by just a solitary point and Everton’s hopes of climbing onto the coat tails of Liverpool and reaching the heady heights of eighth place were damaged by another frustrating Goodison stalemate.

Birmingham’s approach was clear the moment the team sheets landed.

Three strikers were named on their substitutes’ bench – the proven experience of Kevin Phillips together with Carling Cup final hero Obafemi Martins and giant Serb Nikola Zigic – while Jerome was the lone striker in the starting line-up with instruction to use his pace to lead any Birmingham counter-attacks.

But he did so impressively.