Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Everton: Lewis Dunk’s stoppage header denies Toffees vital victory
Lewis Dunk’s last dash goal condemned Everton to another Premier League draw as 10-men Brighton salvaged a point at the Amex Stadium.
Both of the goals in the game came from central defenders as Dunk headed home Pascal Gross’s cross five minutes into stoppage time to cancel out Jarrad Branthwaite’s 73rd minute strike.
Branthwaite broke the deadlock firing in a first-time shot into the top corner from 15 yards when a free kick fell at his feet.
It seemed like Everton were on course to secure their first win in the league this year and a vital victory in their battle to avoid relegation when Brighton’s Billy Gilmour saw red and was sent off for a studs-up lunge on Amadou Onan’s ankle.
Yet Dunk’s last-minute header extended the Toffee’s winless league run to nine games with their last win being on 16 December.
Sean Dyche’s side now sit just a point above the relegation zone, having played a match more than 18th-placed Luton.
Meanwhile, Roberto de Zerbi’s side remain seventh with several rivals for European qualification breathing down their necks.
Speaking after the game De Zerbi said: “we are playing with a lot of – too many – injuries, especially in attack, so we are losing a lot of important points and places in the table.
“Our table could be different if you analyse how many chances we created in respect of the opponent.”
Uncertainty still surrounds Everton’s appeal over their 10-point deduction for financial rule breaches, amid fears a second penalty could yet to be applied for alleged profit and sustainability infringements.
The visitors withstood almost constant Brighton pressure in the first half and did not register a shot on target until the 57th minute with a volley from Abdoulaye Doucoure which was brilliantly fended off by Tariq Lamptey.
Dunk secured Brighton an all-important point on his 400th league appearance for his hometown club and ensured the Seagulls extended their top-fight club record of unbeaten consecutive home games to 11.
Speaking on the skipper De Zerbi said: “Lewis is a legend of Brighton – he is an example every day.
I think he could play at a different level, but we are lucky because he is our captain, our player. He is the soul of the team.”
