Zarate denies Everton with late equalizer

LONDON, England -- Everton's bid for a Champions League place suffered a setback as relegation-threatened Birmingham salvaged a late point at St Andrews through Mauro Zarate's 83rd minute equalizer.

The Argentine, on-loan from a Qatari side, has made a big impression in Birmingham's bid to beat the drop and will scarcely score a more valuable goal to level Joleon Lescott's headed effort five minutes earlier.

Zarate hammered home a 20-meter free kick past Tim Howard, who had kept Everton at parity earlier in the match with a string of superb saves.

Everton stay fifth in the Premier League but missed the chance to draw level on points with Merseyside rivals Liverpool and have played a game more.

Alex McLeish's Birmingham, who can count themselves unfortunate not to claim all three points, are two points above the drop zone in 17th position, but have a better goal difference than those below them.

With the top four playing on Sunday and Monday, the battle to avoid relegation featured prominantly in Saturday's games and there were a number of upsets.

Fulham, without a Premier League away win since September 2006, won 2-0 at Reading with Brian McBride and Erik Nevland scoring in each half.

Fulham, who also hit the woodwork three times, remain in 19th place but have closed up on the teams above them by moving to 27 points while Reading are nervously looking over their shoulder on 32 points in 16th place.

Bolton also gave themselves hope as a Kevin Davies goal saw them beat West Ham 1-0 at the Reebok to climb to 29 points in 18th place.

Middlesbrough pulled further clear of trouble with a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur while Sunderland lost 2-1 at home to Manchester City with substitute Darius Vassell securing three points for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men.

Already relegated Derby's miserable season continued as they were beaten 6-0 at home by Aston Villa, who are pushing for a European place next season.

Portsmouth stay in sixth after drawing 0-0 at home to Newcastle in Saturday's late game. Portsmouth hit the post, but England striker Michael Owen missed from close range as Kevin Keegan's men chased a fourth straight win.

Sunday sees a potential title decider as leaders Manchester United entertain third-placed Arsenal with Liverpool at home to Blackburn.

Monday's action has second-placed Chelsea taking on Wigan. E-mail to a friend