Roger Johnson challenges Everton's Tim Cahill

Roger Johnson says that Blues' second half defensive resolve was responsible for them claiming a point at Goodison Park, following their 1-1 draw against Everton.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov fired his side into a fifth-minute lead, before Seb Larsson scored what turned out to be the equalising goal on 23 minutes.

Alex McLeish's side were forced to soak up a lot of pressure in the remaining three quarters of the game as Everton turned the screw, but once again they held firm at the back.

"It was a good away point taking into account we had a sloppy start and they got their goal," said Johnson.

"But we ground out a result in the end.

Scott Dann

"Even though we were backs to the wall for most of the game we had moments where we did well.

"We didn't have that many chances but we took the one we did have and we defended as we have done in recent weeks

"We showed our resilience particularly in the second half.

"We've got a good team and defensively we've been superb this season and we are resilient at the back."

Blues have now gone nine games unbeaten and are currently riding high in seventh spot going into Christmas.

Johnson and his teammates are naturally delighted with the progress they have made this season.

"We're unbeaten in nine which is some record," he said.

"We want to keep that going and get to the benchmark and the points total we've set ourselves to stay in the league and we're that much closer again.

"We're in seventh place going into Christmas and we would have taken that at the start of the season.

"Everybody at the club is over the moon with it especially the boys and the coaching staff."

Once again the central defensive pairing of Johnson and Scott Dann received recognition for their performances at Goodison and Johnson is delighted with the way they are performing as a unit.

"It's being talked about me and Scotty," he said.

"We're both young, although he's a bit younger, and we have made the step up from the Championship.

"Both of us wanted the chance and both of us have taken it so far.

"I'm finding life in the Premier League good. I want to play as many games the manager will pick me for and hopefully it will continue."

The former Cardiff man picked up a knee injury during the second half of Sunday's game and was forced to struggle through the final part of the match.

He is scheduled to have it examined tomorrow once the swelling has subsided, although hopefully it is not too serious.

"My knee took a bit of a knock when I just jumped up for a header," said Johnson

"It was a bit sore but I wanted to get though game which I managed to do."