The Hammers blew the chance to haul themselves out of the bottom three as they were held at home by the Toffees two days after winning 3-1 at Fulham.

Everton had also been due to host Birmingham on Sunday but saw their match postponed due to the big freeze.

And Grant seemed to suggest tonight's fixture should have been put back to negate any advantage the visitors may have had.

He said: "It's not easy to play two games in 48 hours; this is the only country that plays two games in 48 hours.

"They need to think about equal chances.

"Because whoever's involved in sport - it doesn't matter if it's athletics, basketball, anything - to play two games in 48 hours is very difficult.

"It's okay if both teams have equal chances but if one team needs to play and the other comes fresh, it's a big disadvantage.

"We needed to change the team. Good, good players that played Sunday needed today to be on the bench or not playing at all.

"Because of this, I'm very, very pleased with the efforts. Everybody gave more than 100%."

Buoyed by their first away win since the opening day of last season, West Ham took the lead tonight when Tony Hibbert diverted Radoslav Kovac's tame overhead kick into his own net.

Seamus Coleman drew Everton deservedly level before half-time, while substitute Carlton Cole missed a great chance to score a winner for the home side.

Grant said: "I think in the first half we were on top of them, we scored a goal, we could have scored more, we passed the ball very well.

"In our best moment, they scored a goal.

"In the second half, we had a big chance to win the game from 'Coley'; we didn't do it."

Grant revealed Cole, who scored the first league double of his career on Sunday, was rested following consultation with the club's medical staff.

"He played fantastic, he gave a lot of effort," said Grant of a player who was dogged by injury last season.

"We knew because of his history, we could cause him damage, so he was on the bench."

Despite failing to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, West Ham extended their unbeaten run to three games.

Grant said: "I think the most important thing is we closed the gap.

"We played many games better than the other teams but we didn't take points.

"Now I think we are doing it more efficiently."

Grant plans to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window and is hoping to complete the signing of Steve Sidwell from Aston Villa this week.

He revealed the Hammers' injury problems meant he was looking to bring in at least three players but warned it would not be easy due to the club's £100million debt.

"We're trying the best to find the financial solution for this," said Grant, who also warned rival clubs off striker Frederic Piquionne.

"If someone offers £25million for Piquionne, we'll think about it," he said.

"I'm not sure if we'll do it but we'll think about it."

Strikers were also on the mind of opposite number David Moyes, who controversially left three on the bench tonight and played Tim Cahill as a makeshift target man.

"Manager's prerogative, isn't it?" said the Everton boss, who felt his side had "all the game" in the second half.

"I would have needed to leave out (Steven) Pienaar, (Jack) Rodwell, (Mikel) Arteta out of the team to accommodate one of those players and I didn't see that was right.

"I thought my better players were on the pitch today."

Moyes will lose Cahill for up to a month after Saturday's game at Stoke as he joins up with the Australia squad for the Asian Cup.

He said of his forwards: "We need them to step up."