Lewis Dunk’s stoppage-time header condemned Everton to another Premier League draw as 10-man Brighton salvaged a point at Amex Stadium.
Both goals came from central defenders as Dunk headed home Pascal Gross’ cross five minutes into time added on to cancel out Jarrad Branthwaite’s superb opener.
Branthwaite had produced a forward’s finish to break the deadlock, arrowing a first-time shot into the top corner from 15 yards when a free-kick fell at his feet.
It seemed Everton were on course for a vital victory in their battle to avoid relegation when Brighton’s Billy Gilmour was then sent off for a studs-up lunge on Amadou Onana’s ankle.
But Dunk’s header extended the Toffees’ winless league run to nine games and they sit just a point above the relegation zone, having played a match more than 18th-placed Luton.
Brighton, meanwhile, remain seventh but have several rivals for European qualification breathing down their necks.
Toffees stuck in draw habit
Uncertainty surrounds Everton’s appeal over their 10-point deduction for financial rule breaches, amid fears a second penalty could yet be applied for alleged profit and sustainability infringements.
Boss Sean Dyche says his players have tried to put the matter to the back of their minds but if they do retain their top-flight status, they are doing so the hard way, with this the Toffees’ fifth draw in their past six league games.
They stunned Brighton 5-1 at the Amex last May, a result that went a long way to securing survival, and were within minutes of another victory, even if this one would have come in a much different fashion.
The visitors withstood almost constant Brighton pressure in the first half and did not register a shot until 57 minutes when Abdoulaye Doucoure’s volley was brilliantly headed off the line by Tariq Lamptey.
The ‘smash and grab’ plan seemed to have worked when Branthwaite produced a sumptuous strike to put them ahead.
But they were left to rue substitute Beto blazing over a decent chance to seal the points as Everton’s open-play struggles – just one such goal in nine games – continued. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with no goal in his 20 outings now, was again quiet.
Dunk delivers again on milestone day
A day of mounting frustration for the hosts had appeared set to end in defeat until Dunk crowned his 400th league appearance for his hometown club with a leveller befitting that milestone.
He has made a habit of popping up with big moments – usually booming headers – for the Seagulls since their ascension to the top flight and he outjumped Ben Godfrey to arc in his 31st goal for the club.
Such a direct goal was a relief for a side who were without two chief creative forces as Kaoru Mitoma’s back injury forced him to join top scorer Joao Pedro on the treatment table, a busy spot at Brighton this season.
Brighton bossed the first half but could not break the Toffees down, Danny Welbeck being twice denied by last-ditch blocks while Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke sent headers from set-pieces straight at Jordan Pickford. Simon Adingra flashed another effort just over.
They were in danger of losing their heads in the second half, including boss Roberto de Zerbi who was booked for complaining James Tarkowski was not given a second yellow card for a foul on Welbeck.
When Gilmour saw red, the game seemed up, but Dunk’s intervention ensured the Seagulls extended their top-flight club record of unbeaten consecutive home games to 11.
-BBC
