A vital point in the battle against relegation, a clean sheet and a lively performance from Max Gradel after six months out with injury were the main positives for Eddie Howe after his team drew 0-0 at Watford.
Bournemouth had the better chances but were denied by a spectacular series of saves from Hornets' goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
The Brazilian had frustrated the Cherries in a 1-1 draw between the two sides on October 3 and was again in fine form, making vital stops from Harry Arter and twice from Gradel.
The Dorset side dominated the second half and had 53 percent of possession overall but only three chances compared to one for the hosts in a tight game.
Though the Cherries had claims for a late penalty waved away, the result ended a run of three consecutive defeats heading into a run of three vital games in 10 days against Southampton, Newcastle and Swansea. All those games are winnable, but then so was the fixture in Watford.
With only one goal in the last three games when playing with a single striker, Howe deployed Josh King up front with Benik Afobe. The club's record £9.3 million signing was not as prominent as many supporters will have hoped, but the return of Gradel will have buoyed Howe and the travelling fans on a bitterly cold Hertfordshire day.
The Ivory Coast international has not played since injuring his cruciate ligament in a 1-1 draw with Leicester on Aug. 29, but took his opportunity with zeal after coming on as a substitute.
Gradel constantly threatened the home defence, winning free kicks and either of his two good attempts could have won the game.
After conceding seven goals in the last three games, the performance of Howe's defence will have pleased the manager. Steve Cook and Adam Smith did not start the Everton game but returned against Watford and played well.
Charlie Daniels, who was rewarded with a new three-and-a-half year deal from the club earlier this week, was caught out a couple of times, but goalkeeper Artur Boruc was only really tested once when he made an early save from Odion Ighalo.
Up front, Josh King has been in and out of the team, but against Everton was one of the few positives and thoroughly deserved to retain his place against Watford.
Dan Gosling, who tamely headed Bournemouth's best chance straight at the keeper against Everton, was dropped even though Junior Stanislas was a more deserving candidate.
The former Burnley player was extremely fortunate to start at Vicarage Road, where he made little impact and hobbled off with a hamstring injury after 23 minutes to be replaced by Gradel.
Stanislas seems unlikely to start in the next match on Tuesday, when Howe's team return to league action at home to Southampton.
Saints won the first Premier League encounter between the two sides on Nov. 1, but that 2-0 defeat represented a turning point for the visitors. The Dorset side had let in 10 goals in their two previous league matches and were badly outplayed in the first half at St Marys.
Whatever Howe said at half-time clearly sunk in as his players dominated the second half and even ended up shading possession by 52% percent. Despite leaving St Marys with a fourth defeat in five games and then falling short at home to Newcastle in their next game, Bournemouth were getting used to the top flight.
The Tynesiders were totally dominated and the points that Bournemouth subsequently picked up in late November and December will be a big contributing factor if survival is achieved.
Goals, however, remain in short supply. Defeat was averted at Watford and a clean sheet was reassuring but one goal in 360 minutes of football is a record that Howe's players need to change at home to Saints.