Having been named Premier League Manager of the Month just 24 hours earlier, David Moyes welcomed former side West Ham to Goodison Park having not won any of his seven previous meetings with opposite number Graham Potter.
A smart save from Jordan Pickford prevented the Hammers from landing an early blow when the ball dangerously ricocheted off Jarrad Branthwaite to test the England stopper’s reactions.
Everton attempted to stamp their authority on the game as they peppered the West Ham goal with a series of headed efforts, albeit they failed to trouble Alphonse Areola.
At the other end, Jarrod Bowen had been starved of service inside the opening half-hour, but the Hammers forward burst into life to serve the Toffees a reminder of his attacking qualities, receiving Max Kilman’s pass to superbly set himself up and force Pickford to turn a dipping volley over the bar.
The visitors were given a reprieve moments before half-time when Darren Bond overturned his initial decision to award Everton a spot-kick after Beto went to ground.
The second half proved to be something of a slow burner, and when the pace finally did pick up, both sides were guilty of a lack of quality in their final ball.
It took until the 67th minute for the deadlock to finally be broken with Bowen’s trickery key to unlocking the Everton defence, as he slotted a pass across to Tomas Soucek who held his nerve under pressure to curl a deft finish into the bottom corner.
Everton predictably rallied in front of the Toffees faithful as the contest approached full-time, but it appeared their lack of cutting edge would cost them.
That was until the final minute when O’Brien launched himself at Idrissa Gueye’s cross and converted the equaliser as Goodison erupted, with Moyes' side securing a fifth draw in six matches to remain above their visitors on goal difference.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)