Substitute Beto struck in the seventh minute of stoppage time to salvage a dramatic 1-1 draw for Everton at Brighton, extending the Toffees’ unbeaten run to four matches and leaving the Seagulls to rue conceding another late goal for the second successive weekend.
Brighton looked set for their first victory in four Premier League outings after Pascal Gross’ 73rd-minute opener appeared to have secured all three points. The German midfielder, making his first goal contribution since returning from Borussia Dortmund earlier in January, swept home a simple finish from Yasin Ayari’s cross after Charalampos Kostoulas intelligently dummied the ball. It was a fairy-tale moment for Gross, his first Brighton goal since February 2024.
But Everton, who had registered zero shots and an xG of 0.00 in an insipid first half, refused to surrender. David Moyes’ side improved dramatically after the interval, with Thierno Barry’s hold-up play creating opportunities. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall should have broken the deadlock in the 67th minute when Barry’s excellent work down the left set him up unmarked eight yards out, only for goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to produce a crucial save.
James Tarkowski also came agonizingly close when his header was unwittingly blocked on the line by teammate Jake O’Brien. Brighton thought they had sealed victory when Kaoru Mitoma found the net, but the Japanese winger’s effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Then came the dramatic finale. In the 97th minute, substitute O’Brien unleashed a powerful strike that Verbruggen could only parry into the danger zone. Birthday boy Beto, celebrating his 28th, reacted quickest to slam home the rebound and spark wild celebrations in the away end. Manager Moyes sprinted onto the pitch in jubilation, earning himself a yellow card but declaring it “worth it” afterward.
The result sees Everton climb to eighth on 34 points, just four points from the top four, while Brighton slip to 13th on 31 points. The Seagulls have now dropped points after conceding late goals in consecutive matches, having lost to Fulham’s Harry Wilson free-kick in the last minute the previous weekend.
Brighton dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Mitoma’s chip over Jordan Pickford sailing narrowly wide and Danny Welbeck testing the England goalkeeper with a header. Yet their inability to convert territorial dominance proved costly.
For Everton, the point maintains their impressive away form under Moyes, who has transformed their fortunes on the road. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler remained philosophical: “Their goal at the end is something that happens in football. It’s tough but there are two options. You can feel self-pity or you can take ownership and responsibility.”
Everton travel to Fulham next weekend, while Brighton host rivals Crystal Palace seeking to end a difficult run of just one victory in their last eleven league fixtures.
