The events at Old Trafford last Sunday typified the many admirable qualities that define Everton under David Moyes.
With seven minutes remaining and having been the width of the post away from being three goals adrift, most sides would have settled for damage limitation - but most sides aren't Everton.
The stoically merited draw not only extended their unbeaten run to five games but it also increased the growing admiration for Moyes, whose ability to assemble consistently challenging teams on limited resources continue to mark him out as one of the Premier League's finest bosses.
Now into his 11th year in charge, he'll be aiming for his eighth top-eight finish, with the added incentive of trying to end the campaign above Liverpool in the table for the first time since 2005.
In their current form it would be a major surprise if they were to begin their final four-match quest with a defeat, especially when considering that no Everton side has ever lost a league game to Fulham at home. They've not even given up a single point to the Cottagers since 1959!
Fulham, though, have been on a good run themselves recently. Unbeaten in their last four games, they could climb above their hosts by recording that historic first win in more than sixty years of trying.
The odds will certainly be stacked against them, as Martin Jol's side have the third worst away record in the division, with just three wins all season and a paltry 11 goals scored.
Head-to-head
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Fulham have lost their last 18 league matches against Everton at Goodison Park, the longest ever top-flight run of one club losing at a particular ground. Fulham have never won a league game there - their last point at Everton came in a goalless draw in September 1959.
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Everton are looking for a third consecutive Premier League win against Fulham - they also beat the Cottagers in the FA Cup earlier this season.
Fulham
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Fulham are unbeaten in four Premier League matches (W3, D1). They have won six of their last 10 in the league.
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Martin Jol's side have won just three league matches away from Craven Cottage this season. Only relegated Wolves and struggling Blackburn have won fewer games on their travels. However, two of Fulham's away wins have come in the north-west - against Wigan and Bolton.
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Clint Dempsey has scored four goals in Fulham's last four Premier League matches. Pavel Pogrebnyak has scored six goals in his eight appearances for Fulham, all of which have come in the league.
Everton
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Everton are unbeaten in their last five league matches (W3, D2).
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They have scored eight goals in their last two league matches - a 4-0 win over Sunderland and a 4-4 draw at Manchester United.
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Despite only playing 12 matches, Nikica Jelavic's tally of eight goals makes him Everton's top scorer this season.
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Leighton Baines was voted the PFA left-back of the year last weekend.
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Leon Osman is hoping to play his 300th game for Everton, while Tony Hibbert could make his 250th Premier League appearance.