Everton had to settle for a point against Bournemouth on Saturday, after twice squandering winning positions to draw 3-3 at the Vitality Stadium.

Here are five things we learned, including a match is not over until it is over...

1. It is not over until it is over

Usually scoring in the 95th minute to take a 3-2 lead would be enough to claim three points, however this wasn't the case for Everton on Saturday.

Goals from Ramiro Funes Mori and Romelu Lukaku had put Everton in the driving seat at half-time. However, the Toffees failed to put the game to bed in the second-half and let their performance drop.

This let Bournemouth control the second-half and get back into the game in the 80th minute, when substitute Adam Smith produced a stunning strike from 25-yards out to give Bournemouth hope of a late fightback.

Then with three minutes of normal time remaining, Bournemouth did just that, with Junior Stanislas drawing the Cherries back level.

When Ross Barkley's goal saw Everton retake the lead in the 95th minutes, the Toffees looked assured to take all three points away from the Vitality Stadium and led to a pitch invasion from the Everton supporters.

Everton fans mob the Everton players after Ross Barkley scored. (Image: AFP) 

However, as soon as Everton's supporters had been ushered back to their seats, they were left with a journey that would have felt a lot longer than 265 miles, following Stanislas' equaliser in the 97th minute.

Letting Bournemouth draw level once was careless, but, having seemingly got off the hook, and then allowing them to do it again deep into stoppage time is unforgivable and is something that Everton will surely learn from and not let happen again.

2. Everton finally score from a set-piece

Everton went into the game against Bournemouth as the only Premier League team not to have scored from a set-piece this season - their previous 24 goals had all come from open play.

The Toffees had already had five corners by the 25th minute when Funes Mori rose the highest to head Ross Barkley's corner beyond Bournemouth goalkeeper Adam Federici to score Everton's first goal from a set-piece. It was also the defender's first goal since moving to Merseyside from River Plate in the summer.

Ramiro Funes Mori celebrates after scoring Everton's opening goal. (Image: Getty Images)

Ramiro Funes Mori celebrates after scoring Everton's opening goal. (Image: Getty Images)

Everton will now be looking to make use of their aerial ability and presence from set-pieces, with Lukaku, Funes Mori, John Stones and Phil Jagielka all aerial threats from dead ball situations.

3. Lukaku is unstoppable

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy has been grabbing all the headlines recently, and rightly so, after he became the first player in Premier League history to score in 11 consecutive games at the weekend.

However, Romelu Lukaku once again looked unstoppable, scoring his fifth goal in four games to match his 10 Premier League goals from last season.

It also took the Belgian international's tally for the calendar year to 25 - and we are not even in December yet. The last time an Everton player scored as many was 30 years ago and now Lukaku will be hoping to beat Adrian Heath's 28 goals and Graeme Sharp's 26 goals that they both recorded in 1984.

4. Barkley, Deulofeu and Kone continue to impress

It hasn't just been the Belgian who has been impressing for the Blues, Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and Arouna Kone have all been receiving plaudits for their recent form. 

Barkley scored what looked like a stoppage-time winner after slotting home on the turn in the 95th minute for his third goal in two games.

The England international also took the corner, which Funes Mori headed home for Everton's opening goal, meaning Barkley has now been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other English midfielder this season (11, six goals and five assists).

Ross Barkley celebrates after scoring what looked like a stoppage-time winner. (Image: Sky Sports)

Ross Barkley celebrates after scoring what looked like a stoppage-time winner. (Image: Sky Sports)

Deulofeu was a constant menace on the right flank and once again combined with Lukaku to devastating effect. It was the Spaniard's cross that provided the assist for Lukaku for the fifth time this season.

Although Kone is a natural striker, he worked tirelessly out wide against Bournemouth. He provided support for Brendan Galloway at left-back, tracking the runs of Simon Francis, and he was not afraid to get stuck into a challenge when necessary.

5. McCarthy is crucial to Everton

It was perhaps no coincidence that Everton's late collapse came after James McCarthy was substituted after injuring his groin during the game.

McCarthy, who signed a new contract at Everton in the summer, has been a key player for the Toffees since he joined from Wigan Athletic in 2013. 

Everton can always rely on the Republic of Ireland international to give 100 per cent and he offers a crucial shield for the defence. Following his withdrawal, the dynamic of the side changed and it was perhaps no coincidence that Bournemouth's comeback followed.

It might not just be the two points dropped at Bournemouth that hurts Roberto Martinez if McCarthy has to spend a spell on the sidelines.

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About the author
Adam Bailey
Everton editor, who also covers cycling and athletics.