Socceroos' gun Tim Cahill and his Everton Leon Osman struck as the Toffees fought back from two goals down to grab a 2-2 draw at Hull.
Hull had looked like maintaining its superb Barclays Premier League start by claiming a third win after scoring at corners through Michael Turner and a Phil Neville own goal.
But Everton finished a thrilling contest the stronger and was awarded a goal when Cahill's shot bounced down off the bar on 73 minutes, and Osman levelled five minutes later.
The draw was a huge relief for Everton, which again had problems at the back.
It was the exposure of those defensive frailties in Thursday's UEFA Cup clash against Standard Liege that led to David Moyes' decision to relegate England international Joleon Lescott to the bench.
Leighton Baines took his place, while record signing Marouane Fellaini also came into the side.
Hull, which would have been two points off the top with a win, handed a debut to striker Daniel Cousin and a first start to on-loan defender Kamil Zayatte.
The game got off to a lively start with Hull winger Peter Halmosi creating a fine chance for Bernard Mendy in the second minute.
Halmosi broke away from two defenders and then skipped past Neville to deliver an inviting cross, but Mendy headed straight at goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Everton hit back with Fellaini trying his luck from distance. But a deflection took the sting out of the shot, and Boaz Myhill saved comfortably.
Mikel Arteta also worked a good opportunity for the visitors, cutting inside to shoot from the edge of the box - but his effort sailed well over the bar.
Osman spurned a good chance after 11 minutes when Neville pulled the ball back to him unmarked in the box - only for the shot to be scuffed wide. Osman made better contact next time he had a shooting chance, but team-mate Cahill got in the way.
At the other end, Dean Marney slipped Mendy in with a fine pass - but the Frenchman took too long and shot wide.
Hull took encouragement, though, and grabbed the lead when Turner rose highest at the far post to meet Marney's cross and send a header back over Howard that Osman on the line could not keep out.
Everton produced an immediate response, Ayegbeni Yakubu meeting Fellaini's knock-down with a fierce volley. But Myhill parried, and Hull cleared.
Marlon King, two-goal hero at Newcastle last week, went close to doubling Hull's lead after 26 minutes when he curled a free-kick just wide - after Neville fouled Halmosi on the edge of the box.
Cousin had his first chance soon afterwards when he turned in the area, but Phil Jagielka deflected for a corner.
Moyes decided to bring Lescott back at half-time - sending him on for Baines at left-back, while adding firepower by replacing Segundo Castillo with Louis Saha.
An Arteta corner caused concern in the Hull box a minute after the restart. But Myhill gathered bravely at the feet of Yakubu, taking a knock in the process.
Hull's corners, however, created even more problems and led to a second goal for the hosts after 48 minutes.
Marney again delivered into the box, and this time Neville headed past his own goalkeeper and into the net - before King could get the final touch.
Everton was frustrated in its efforts to reply, Cahill slicing a volley