Phil Jagielka admits to harbouring growing concern that Everton's home form could cost them European qualification.
The Toffees were held 1-1 at home by Middlesbrough on Sunday, and now only Wigan and Blackburn have worse home league records.
Is is a surprise, therefore, that Everton have retained seventh place and lie just four points behind a Champions League spot.
Four wins on the road have kept David Moyes' side in the running for a UEFA Cup spot.
Jagielka witnessed his side toil to grab a late equaliser through Ayegbeni Yakubu - his first goal in 10 games - and said: "We kept our unbeaten run going, but we would all like to see our home form pick up.
"One win in the league here all season is not good enough.
"And this was the sort of game we would have expected to take three points from."
Everton struggled to gain parity after Gary O'Neil's early strike, in front of the lowest home league crowd in boss Moyes' reign.
The tension from the fans was evident, with Goodison Park nothing like the bear-pit it can be when Everton are firing on all cylinders.
Jagielka said: "The fans are a bit quiet because we are not giving them much to shout about. For the home draw with Manchester United, the place was electric, so it is up to us to provide the fans with something that excites them.
"We are realists. We know it is up to us to pick up our home form, and that will then get the crowd going.
"The way this division is at the moment, if you lose a couple you are in a relegation fight. So we must just keep this unbeaten run going, and see where it takes us."
He added: "It took us a long time to get back into the game, but the reaction to going behind from the lads was impressive.
"We had some chances, then you start thinking that it can be one of those days.
"But then Yak got on the end of a free-kick, a fantastic finish with his back!
"After that we put them under a lot of pressure but they stood up to it well."
Moyes was pleased to have avoided defeat but disappointed to have dropped two points.
The Scot said: "We have kept the unbeaten run going, but it is another home game gone. A win would have pushed us up nearer the top group.
"I am disappointed that we did not do that. But our home form is not worrying me, I believe by the end of the season we will have picked up what we need at home.
"But if we continue to keep getting draws against the Middlesbroughs etc, it will become an issue that we're not getting the points at home."
Like Everton, Boro are on a five-match unbeaten run, and boss Gareth Southgate was delighted with the attitude of his young side under severe physical pressure and the performance of his front pair of Tuncay and Afonso Alves.
He said: "We have pace and we are a threat. We have always been competitive and have started to put a decent run together.
"We are unbeaten in five and that is as good as anyone in the division.
"That is an indication of the nature of the Premier League, everything is so tight. But it is good progress for us.
"We have become much harder to beat, and taking four points from two very tough away games at Aston Villa and now Everton has pleased me.
"Maybe in the past we have been a soft touch away from home. That has not been the case this season.
"We have picked up eight points from our last four away matches, that is a good return."
He added: "The front pair are working well. Tuncay drops deep into dangerous areas and caused the best teams a lot of problems.
"He is an outstanding talent and a joy to work with. His enthusiasm for the game is special and he gives tremendous energy to the team as well.
"Alves is improving. It takes people coming into English football time to adapt, and he is now getting there."
The Toffees were held 1-1 at home by Middlesbrough on Sunday, and now only Wigan and Blackburn have worse home league records.
Is is a surprise, therefore, that Everton have retained seventh place and lie just four points behind a Champions League spot.
Four wins on the road have kept David Moyes' side in the running for a UEFA Cup spot.
Jagielka witnessed his side toil to grab a late equaliser through Ayegbeni Yakubu - his first goal in 10 games - and said: "We kept our unbeaten run going, but we would all like to see our home form pick up.
"One win in the league here all season is not good enough.
"And this was the sort of game we would have expected to take three points from."
Everton struggled to gain parity after Gary O'Neil's early strike, in front of the lowest home league crowd in boss Moyes' reign.
The tension from the fans was evident, with Goodison Park nothing like the bear-pit it can be when Everton are firing on all cylinders.
Jagielka said: "The fans are a bit quiet because we are not giving them much to shout about. For the home draw with Manchester United, the place was electric, so it is up to us to provide the fans with something that excites them.
"We are realists. We know it is up to us to pick up our home form, and that will then get the crowd going.
"The way this division is at the moment, if you lose a couple you are in a relegation fight. So we must just keep this unbeaten run going, and see where it takes us."
He added: "It took us a long time to get back into the game, but the reaction to going behind from the lads was impressive.
"We had some chances, then you start thinking that it can be one of those days.
"But then Yak got on the end of a free-kick, a fantastic finish with his back!
"After that we put them under a lot of pressure but they stood up to it well."
Moyes was pleased to have avoided defeat but disappointed to have dropped two points.
The Scot said: "We have kept the unbeaten run going, but it is another home game gone. A win would have pushed us up nearer the top group.
"I am disappointed that we did not do that. But our home form is not worrying me, I believe by the end of the season we will have picked up what we need at home.
"But if we continue to keep getting draws against the Middlesbroughs etc, it will become an issue that we're not getting the points at home."
Like Everton, Boro are on a five-match unbeaten run, and boss Gareth Southgate was delighted with the attitude of his young side under severe physical pressure and the performance of his front pair of Tuncay and Afonso Alves.
He said: "We have pace and we are a threat. We have always been competitive and have started to put a decent run together.
"We are unbeaten in five and that is as good as anyone in the division.
"That is an indication of the nature of the Premier League, everything is so tight. But it is good progress for us.
"We have become much harder to beat, and taking four points from two very tough away games at Aston Villa and now Everton has pleased me.
"Maybe in the past we have been a soft touch away from home. That has not been the case this season.
"We have picked up eight points from our last four away matches, that is a good return."
He added: "The front pair are working well. Tuncay drops deep into dangerous areas and caused the best teams a lot of problems.
"He is an outstanding talent and a joy to work with. His enthusiasm for the game is special and he gives tremendous energy to the team as well.
"Alves is improving. It takes people coming into English football time to adapt, and he is now getting there."
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