Everton snatched a 97th-minute equaliser through substitute Beto to secure a thrilling 1-1 Premier League draw at Brighton & Hove Albion, extending their unbeaten streak at the Amex Stadium to six matches since 2019 (W3, D3).
Brighton, despite sitting just above the relegation zone in recent months, looked lively in the first half.
Danny Welbeck’s clever flick kept Jordan Pickford alert, while Georginio Rutter and Welbeck both had headers narrowly miss the target, leaving Everton pinned back.
Kaoru Mitoma then carved out the match’s first real chance, combining with Welbeck before lifting a shot over Pickford’s legs that just went wide of the far post.
Everton, who had been among the league’s least threatening sides in recent weeks, failed to register a single shot by halftime.
The second half finally saw Everton come to life. Returning midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dragged a well-constructed effort wide, and Jarrad Branthwaite’s flicked header just missed.
Thierno Barry nearly set up Dewsbury-Hall, only for Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to make a crucial save.
Everton’s improved attacking display could not prevent Pascal Gross from giving Brighton the lead with just over 15 minutes to go, his first goal since returning to the Amex.
A Mitoma strike seemed to double Brighton’s advantage, but it was ruled out for offside, keeping Everton’s hopes alive.
In stoppage time, Beto capitalised on a rebound after Verbruggen denied Jake O’Brien’s fierce shot, slotting home to rescue a point for the Toffees.
For Brighton, the result continues a frustrating run, with just one win in 11 league matches (D6, L4), leaving them 13th and three points shy of the top half.
Everton, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in four (W1, D3), climbing to eighth and just three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea despite having played an extra game.
