Everton vs. Wigan: 10 Things We Learned from Today's 2-2 Draw

Everton ensured they partially preserved their current momentum heading into the international break, twice coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Wigan.

In a proverbial game of two halves, the first swung the way of the hosts, with Nikica Jelavic's goal punctuating strikes from Arouna Kone and Franco Di Santo.

However, after dominating much of the second period, the Toffees finally managed the late riposte their play deserved, via an 87th-minute penalty from the impressive Leighton Baines.

Here are 10 talking points to emerge from today's encounter.

Another Slow Start

Once again Everton got off to a lethargic start, falling behind to a 10th-minute Arouna Kone header.

Although Nikica Jelavic made sure this initial deficit was instantly erased, it's now the third time in as many matches the Toffees have conceded in the opening 10 minutes.

Wigan were undeniably the brighter team in the first half and it will frustrate David Moyes how long it took his side to fully assert themselves on the contest.

Once they finally did, they deserved their point and possibly should have won the game, but to achieve the season Moyes is hoping for, this sloppy trait will need to be eliminated rapidly.

Too many points will be dropped if the Toffees are continually having to make up for a poor start.

Wrong Call to Play Heitinga

David Moyes is blessed with the luxury of having three centre-backs that would be starters at most Premier League clubs.

Johnny Heitinga and Phil Jagielka continued partnering each other today, as Sylvain Distin watched on. However looking back, Moyes may now view this as a mistake.

Not for the first time, Heitinga was completely exposed by pace and was the main culprit for Everton's poor defensive display in the first half—with Arouna Kone giving him a torrid 45 minutes.

Substituting the Dutchman at half-time was the right call from Moyes, but with Everton enforcing a particularly high line, it was never going to be a situation Heitinga excelled in. He should not have started.

In future Moyes will surely need to be more situational with his defensive selection and ensure Distin's pace and aerial power, Heitinga's positional astuteness and marking skills and Jagielka's all-round combativeness are utilised in the right circumstance.

Bonus of Jelavic

With each game that passes, Nikica Jelavic moves up David Moyes' already impressive list of crafty bargains.

For just a shade over £5 million, the Croatian has given Everton's manager the forward threat he has coveted for so many seasons and has completely redefined the Toffees' forward approach.

Once again he registered a poacher's finish, getting on the end of Steven Pienaar's lofted effort and heading home to bring his side back on level terms.

Never likely to score too many eye-catching finishes, having Jelavic at the end of attacking surges is something all Evertonians are appreciating.

Over the course of the season his predatory instincts will see the Toffees rescue many more points than they would have in recent years.

Pienaar Is Mr. Assist

Steven Pienaar created his third goal of the season today, setting up Nikica Jelavic and giving himself nine assists for the calendar year—more than anyone else in the Premier League has in 2012.

The South African was once again on top form, creating double as many chances (six) as anyone else on the pitch. He has now also created more chances from open play this season than any player in the top flight.

Working in tandem with Leighton Baines, Wigan were simply just another side unable to stifle the Toffees' world class left-sided duo—many writers have now simply run out of superlatives to describe their potency together. 

Baines is this season's most creative player in the Premier League, carving out 30 chances himself, but today's contribution from Pienaar elevated him up to fourth.

Is there a better, more creative full-back/winger combination around?

Fellaini Nullified

Right from the first minute, Wigan understandably targeted Marouane Fellaini, harrying and hassling him at every possible moment, trying to provoke a reaction.

Sure enough, the visibly agitated Belgian soon led with an arm in an aerial duel and was booked, leaving him a reduced threat, having to hold back in challenges.

This extra attention and rough-house tactics again seemed to put Fellaini off his game, and he looked a frustrated participant for much of the game—as he's often been in these circumstances.

There were several times today when it appeared he may be seconds away from losing it and it's a somewhat surprising statistic that he's only received one red card during his Everton career.

Given his quality and how influential he is for the Toffees, he will have to work out ways to still be as effective when either booked or continually targeted—or both, as was the case today.

Aerial Kings

With Tim Cahill's recent departure, many would assume the Toffees would become less of a threat in the air this season, given the Australian's aerial success over so many years.

Indeed, as much as Everton still aim to capitalise on openings in wider areas and use the flanks to attack, David Moyes has worked hard this season to advance his side's passing game and general ability to dictate the tempo.

Despite exploiting the width, he encourages his side to cut in and find a man, rather than simply crossing in to a set defence each time.

All that considered, Jelavic's 11th-minute strike today was his side's sixth headed goal of the season, surprisingly leaving the Toffees as the Premier League's most lethal aerial outfit this season.

Not a scenario Moyes would have envisaged, but one he'll certainly take.

Hurry Back, Darron Gibson

Not a sentiment many thought likely when Darron Gibson initially arrived at Goodison Park; however he has quickly become one of David Moyes' most indispensable players.

The Irishman's presence has been sorely missed in the heart of midfield ever since he injured himself against West Brom and this was once again the case today.

Having conceded one goal in the two-and-a-half games of football up until that point, the Toffees have gone on to ship seven goals in the following four-and-a-half, appearing far more open in the middle.

Phil Neville and Leon Osman as a partnership has not provided anywhere near enough grit and solidarity and Everton appeared so exposed today that Marouane Fellaini had to be ushered back to shore things up.

The sooner Gibson is back to spread the play and orchestrate the Toffees' tempo, the better.

Baines on Song Again

Given Ashley Cole's colourful outburst on Twitter this week, Leighton Baines surely has a better chance of keeping his place in England's starting lineup against San Marino—something he deserves on merit.

As already mentioned, he is currently the English top flight's most creative performer and was once again vital for the Toffees today, scoring the crucial late penalty that gave his side a point.

That spot-kick also kept up his flawless penalty record in the Premier League, which has now stretched to an impressive nine from nine.

His whole-hearted performance was perhaps best summed up by an unusually passionate reaction to scoring and his desperate sprint to chase down a lost cause in the last minute of injury time.

Two traits that supporters only wish every player could possess.

The Referee No Friend to the Toffees

With several contentious calls appearing to go against them, Everton will have left the DW Stadium feeling rather aggrieved at today's officials.

Arouna Kone's first-half goal was clearly offside and throughout the match, several Toffees entered the book for innocuous challenges, whilst Wigan players seemed to commit far heftier tackles yet escape unpunished.

More severely, the visitors also appeared to deserve another second-half penalty, as Nikica Jelavic was clipped right as he was about to pull the trigger.

Again nothing came from the referee and it was only a double foul in the 87th minute that prompted him to finally take some action—as both Kevin Mirallas and Victor Anichebe were unceremoniously hauled down in the box.

Such a chain of events often lead a side to think it's simply not their day, particularly as Everton were also fluffing countless openings during a testing second period.

The fact they battled on to the end, and managed to earn a point will please David Moyes, though he will be keen to avoid having Kevin Friend officiate a game for a while.

Three Points at QPR Beats Moyes' Best Start

As much as today may have frustrated Evertonians, given the slow start and ensuing poor refereeing display, the fact the Toffees salvaged a point could prove vital in maintaining their form.

Fourteen points from seven is still an exceptional start, one any supporter would have taken in an instant, and three points away at QPR in two weeks time would secure the best-ever start under David Moyes.

Playing well and taking maximum points is something supporters want their side to do as much as possible. However, what often defines a season are the times a team doesn't perform, and big calls go against them, yet they still collect points.

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