All of the time: Lukaku Are You?

I'm not sure the last time I've celebrated a draw as if it was a win - but it speaks volumes about the performance that at the same time as cheering our final points since August 31, I was slightly regretting that we could not snatch the full three points.

On Saturday, despite the horrendous traffic and travel mayhem outside the ground, which delayed kick off for 15 minutes, plus the dire weather, there were a huge amount to smile about through the downpour.

Firstly, it was the best Danny Gabbidon has looked since the play-off semi-final against Brighton.

To be balanced, Roberto Martinez did help Palace out regularly by enforcing his side's strict passing game.

Even near the end, they refused to knock set pieces from deep up to Lukaku but instead we watched with relief as again Gareth Barry would play things short.

Joel Ward was sensational as well, plus Yannick Bolasie got better as the game went on and played some excellent through balls as well as wriggling past challenges.

But our goal scoring stats will inevitably begin to dominate discussion.

Close: Jerome Thomas rues his chip miss 

Jerome Thomas' missed chip is painful to re-watch, but - and here's something I hoped I'd never say - I agree with Michael Owen, aka the dullest man in football.

The ex-striker-turned-excruciating-pundit hinted on MOTD that Thomas shouldn't have done things differently, a chip was the right choice, just badly executed.

It did seem precisely the sort of goal Andy Johnson or Ian Wright would have scored, sadly Thomas lacked the technique, even though he clearly wasn't lacking in composure or belief to attempt the shot.

Howard did a great job of shutting him down, the bearded Yank racing from his line, but from behind the goal it was a tantalisingly close, yet ultimately dreadful, end to our clearest chance in weeks.

And while KG and Marouane Chamakh also missed gilt-edged chances, Chamakh's play in general really impressed me.

It felt as though he was too good for his team-mates at times, giving the ball away foolishly because other payers weren't keeping up with him and missing simple one-two attempts or quick flicks.

Just as Chamakh is written off as terrible because of his shooting statistics (which disregard his build-up play, battling, aerial prowess and overall contributions), so-called "pundits" will lazily commentate that Palace had a meagre 27 per cent of the possession on Saturday and therefore weren't very good.

However, when you factor in the quality of our chances verses the Toffees' efforts on goal, suddenly things aren't so one-sided and black and white as an analyst with eyes on the top of the table would prefer to believe.

There was certainly enough on show this weekend to tentatively build up the slightest glimmers of hope to almost post-Arsenal, pre-West Brom levels.

We just need to expand on the point, rather than suffering another set-back when we travel to Hull after the international break. Just nobody say “six-pointer”.

Last match in charge: Keith Millen looks on as Palace pick up their first Premier League point since August