FROM frozen pipes to frozen ambitions – Everton’s hopes of a surge towards the top of the table continue to flatter to deceive.

Where recent history suggests there is no holding the Blues back when they turn a corner, as against Manchester City, this season’s corners lead only into cul-de-sacs.

Victory against a West Ham United side which has defended poorly all season could have propelled the Blues to tenth in the table – and above Liverpool for 24 hours at least.

But instead, they played like a team who badly needed the momentum and confidence, that playing on Boxing Day so soon after that satisfying night at Eastlands, might have afforded them.

The curse of Groundhog Day returned; during a campaign that mirrors the Bill Murray comedy where he wakes up to find every day is the same.

First, Tony Hibbert produced another unfortunate own goal in this fixture after doing exactly the same last season.

Then Everton’s attacking play mirrored practically every other game of this campaign, Manchester City aside, whereby it all went smoothly until the final ball.

This time, even the much-maligned strikers were blameless – because there were none on the pitch for the first 61 minutes.

David Moyes surprised everyone by keeping all three of his frontmen on the bench, and starting with Tim Cahill leading the line alone, in front of a fluid midfield which was instructed to assist him at will, with only Marouane Fellaini sitting deep in front of his back four.

Understandably, Moyes was reluctant to drop any of the players who glittered at Eastlands, while also keen to restore Mikel Arteta to the side.

So with Victor Anichebe suspended, he eschewed any striking presence and hoped the host of talented ball players in a packed midfield would conjure the right formula.

Did it work? The scoreline answers that – nearly, but not quite.

Louis Saha or Yakubu might have been the more effective option to begin with, allowing Cahill to persist in the role behind the frontman where he thrives.

Even though Everton’s football was highly-polished at times in the first half – despite going a goal behind when Hibbert’s attempted block deflected past Tim Howard – there remained a sense that the hosts were there for the taking.

Immaculate ball retention and pretty passing are only ultimately worthwhile when followed by the crucial currency of goals.

Despite looking vulnerable defensively, West Ham were galvanised by their previous game, a 3-1 win at Fulham, and displayed an early verve and confidence that belied their worries.

The Blues were forced onto the back foot as they contemplated the misfortune of their calamity.

But they refused to let the setback ruin their game plan, and their patience paid off.

Just like against Roberto Mancini’s title contenders, the Blues elegantly played their way from their own half, and Arteta ghosted into the space behind West Ham’s midfield and defence. The Spaniard stroked the ball to Cahill who bent an accurate cross into the box, Jack Rodwell distracted the home defence and an unmarked Seamus Coleman side-footed home.

It was another collective team goal that would have the purists cooing if it had been scored by Arsene Wenger’s artists, and provided a deserved foothold back in this game.

Coleman had been muted for the first half-hour, but was suddenly revitalised and should have had a brace shortly after when he cut inside but drilled his shot wide.

The Blues still ended the half in the ascendance, and started the second with renewed conviction.

Nevertheless, Moyes opted for a switch with half-an-hour left. Off came Rodwell, and Yakubu’s introduction allowed the Blues to play a more familiar 4-4-1-1 formation with Cahill supporting the Nigerian.

The verdict on the Everton manager’s first half set-up was mixed; neither totally flawed nor fully vindicated, but he clearly suspected his side would prosper with Cahill back where he is best, instead of having to lead the line entirely.

The game remained wide open, West Ham were left to rue an awful miss by Carlton Cole after great approach play by Victor Obinna and starlet Freddie Sears.

And then the Toffees were denied a lead only by the excellence of Rob Green, who wonderfully parried Fellaini’s point blank header from a corner.

Cahill’s close range strike was ruled out for offside with seven minutes left, and five minutes added time offered further cause for titillation.

There was no late Christmas present though. Yakubu failed to get going, leaving Moyes presumably looking at his options and seeing scant consolation.

He tries it with strikers and it doesn’t quite work; he tries it without them and gets the same.

January will be the make or break month of the season. A new forward must arrive. Finding him won’t be easy, but the harder option will be the gut-wrenching frustration of watching all Everton’s potential slide into nothing.