Monday 16 October 2017 08:13, UK
A late penalty from Wayne Rooney rescued a point for Everton as they drew 1-1 with Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.
After a lacklustre first half, the second period saw much of the action and Anthony Knockaert put the hosts ahead in the 82nd minute to scenes of wild celebration.
But a silly foul from Brighton captain Bruno - who elbowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the face during an Everton free-kick - saw the visitors awarded a 90th-minute penalty that Rooney converted.
It moves both sides onto eight points following the draw, with Everton in 16th and Brighton in 14th with a superior goal difference.
Chances were at a premium in the first half, and it took 20 minutes for the opening chance. Gylfi Sigurdsson did well to dance his way across the top of the box and found Nikola Vlasic to his right. He, in turn, picked out Idrissa Gueye who rifled an effort through the box, but Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan did well to get down low and push the shot away.
Thirteen minutes later and the hosts were starting to come into their own. Knockaert's initial shot ricocheted off the players in a packed box, with Lewis Dunk chasing down the rebounded ball on the right. However, his own shot came off the body of a sliding Michael Keane to send it behind, with Dunk's penalty appeals for a handball going unanswered.
Everton started well in the second half and tested goalkeeper Ryan in the 53rd minute. Holgate burst into the box from the right flank before hammering an effort towards goal, but the Brighton stopper made a smart save. The Australia international was in action again not long after as Rooney picked out Calvert-Lewin in the box, who attempted to slot home but Ryan got down low to palm the effort away.
Brighton had two terrific chances in quick succession with 15 minutes of the game to play. Substitute Jose Izquierdo strode across the top of the box before taking aim, but his fizzing effort was superbly pushed away by Jordan Pickford before an effort from Knockaert squirmed across the face of goal and went wide. Everton could also have had a penalty in the 80th minute when Sigurdsson had his shirt pulled by Pascal Gross in the area, but nothing was given.
But the Frenchman did manage to find the target in the 82nd minute and put Brighton ahead. Izquierdo's initial shot was saved by the feet of Pickford, but the rebounded ball was poked into the path of Knockaert who slotted home before a celebratory pile-on from his team-mates.
Eight minutes later, though, and Everton equalised. As Sigurdsson delivered a free kick, Bruno was penalised for a foul in the area after elbowing Calvert-Lewin in the face, and saw referee Michael Oliver point to the spot. Up stepped Rooney, who coolly slotted home and rescued a point for Everton at the death.
Chris Hughton (Brighton): I'm incredibly disappointed. At this moment because of the timing of the goals it feels more like a defeat than a draw. I know we are the home side, but I thought we were good value once we took the lead and it's incredibly disappointing - particularly in the manner how we conceded."
Ronald Koeman (Everton): "We work hard and we fight, but we know it's a difficult competition. But I'm proud of the team and what they showed today in a really difficult situation. That's the way we need to come out and win games - and we will do that."
It was another superb performance for Knockaert, who lit up the Sky Bet Championship last season, and showed the same form against Everton, with a number of chances falling his way throughout the game as he proved to be difficult to handle.
He continually worked even when out of possession and of course, scored the important opener for Brighton when they were piling on the pressure. The reaction of his team-mates after the goal and the singing of his name throughout the game by the fans shows just how much he is loved at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton are next in action live on Sky Sports Premier League as they travel to West Ham on Friday Night Football from 7pm. Everton face Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday evening at Goodison Park before welcoming Arsenal live on Sky Sports Premier League next Sunday.
