Andrew Johnson's late equaliser spared Everton the 'Rocky Horror Show' they had been fearing as the England striker’s header salvaged a 1-1 draw with Reading.
With Sylvester Stallone their newest fan watching from the directors' box, Everton had laboured to get back on level terms with a purposeful Reading side.
Joleon Lescott was credited with the own goal that put Reading ahead in the first half, and for a long time it looked like the Toffees were down and out.
But Johnson's ninth goal of the season with nine minutes left hauled his side off the canvas, and sent Stallone wild as he danced around next to chairman Bill Kenwright, waving his newly acquired Everton scarf around his head.
Stallone is in the UK to promote his latest film, 'Rocky Balboa', and for long spells his presentation to the Merseyside public before the game on the pitch was the brightest spot of the afternoon.
But Johnson rescued his side with a looping header, and kept alive Everton's hopes of European football next term.
Everton had Tim Cahill back in their starting line-up for the first time in two months following his recovery from a knee injury.
Reading were without Graeme Murty, who failed a late fitness test on a groin injury. He was replaced by Ulises de la Cruz.
The Rocky signature tune blared out and Stallone - fists pumping the air - was given a walk-on part ahead of this Barclays Premiership clash, to the delight of 30,000-plus Merseysiders. With an Everton scarf held above his head, he took the applause from all sides of the ground before kick-off.
Rousing reception over, it was left to the players to step into the spotlight and follow that.
They tried, but the nearest anyone came to an early goal was when Johnson was put clear, and rounded Marcus Hahnemann but delayed his shot from a tight angle. Cahill arrived in support, and saw the American ‘keeper save his close range shot at the second attempt from Johnson's pass.
Johnson again soon after used his pace to get into the box, and his next cross was snatched away from Lee Carsley by Hahnemann at full stretch.
But after this Everton flurry, Reading's work rate and effective running and tackling soon had their hosts on the back foot, and the Berkshire side were ahead on 27 minutes.
A free-kick following James McFadden's foul on Kevin Doyle was angled into the box by Nicky Shorey. Stephen Hunt got away from his marker to send in a downward header that bounced out off Tim Howard's boot before hitting Lescott and bouncing over the line for an own goal.
Near the break Reading were hit by an injury to Kevin Doyle, who looked to have damaged the hamstring in his right leg in a race for possession with Lescott. The former Cork City striker was helped away in pain and replaced by Shane Long.
Ibrahima Sonko was cautioned for tripping Johnson in full flight and later Hunt followed his team-mate into the book for dragging back Andy van der Meyde.
Sonko then knocked down Johnson right on the edge of the box, but there was no second yellow card from referee Mike Riley, much to the anger of the home fans. McFadden wasted the free-kick.
Everton opted for more muscle at the break, and sent on Victor Anichebe in place of McFadden for the second period.
Cahill soon forced Hahnemann into a tip-over save with a 20-yard shot, before being booked on 49 minutes for a foul on Ivar Ingimarsson. Johnson was next with an effort from long range, the ball flying as Everton sought parity.
It almost came four minutes later when Anichebe met Van der Meyde's cross with a firm header that saw Sonko hook clear off the line.
Everton upped their pace, Johnson set off on several high-speed runs, but they could not break down a determined defence.
Johnson chipped just wide after being put in on the right from a Cahill pass, while Anichebe was booked for a foul on Glen Little. James Beattie came on for Van der Meyde on 71 minutes.
Steve Sidwell saw a lifted shot just clear the bar, while Leon Osman also went close at the other end with a similar effort. Hahnemann then held a low 18-yard effort from Beattie.
But Everton got their equaliser on 81 minutes when Joseph Yobo's long pass forward was flicked on by Cahill for Johnson to head over Hahnemann and into the net.
Goodison erupted, Stallone was leaping around in the directors' box and Everton had got themselves off the ropes.
