Brighton battled to a 1-1 draw against Everton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Lewis Dunk rescued a draw, heading in past Jordan Pickford after a cross from Pascal Gross. Match Report by Joe Zelinger
Albion, fresh from their thumping of Sheffield United the week before, dominated the early stages of the game. After seven minutes, some nice build-up play to get further up the pitch resulted in Tariq Lamptey laying off Danny Welbeck just outside the box, but the striker’s attempt was deflected behind.
Simon Adingra, making his return to the AMEX after AFCON saw a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges and was a nuisance to Ben Godfrey down the left-hand side.
Welbeck had another opportunity to open the scoring in the 12th minute, when he was played through on goal, however, the on-rushing Pickford did just enough to put him off as he poked an effort just wide.
Around the midway point of the first half, Everton had a little spell of their own. Abdoulaye Doucoure was found in the box, but some excellent defensive work by Dunk denied him the opportunity to get a shot away.
Dunk was involved again a few minutes later, providing an important header away for a corner when a cross came in from Vitaliy Mykolenko searching for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
As half-time approached, there was a lull in the game, with both sides unable to find a rhythm. This of course suited Everton more, as they had weathered the early storm.
The visitors continued to frustrate the Seagulls in the second half, and created a good chance themselves, when Lamptey made a terrific goal-line clearance to deny Doucoure.
Dwight McNeil found space down the left, and whipped in a deep cross towards the French midfielder. He met the delivery perfectly first time on the volley, but Lamptey was in the right place at the right time to prevent a certain goal.
On 73 mins, Branthwaite’s stunner gave Everton the lead. A long, high freekick into the Brighton box fell to the defender, and he gave Bart Verbruggen in goal no chance, as he saw his shot arrow in to the top corner.
The Seagulls tried to search for a leveller, but things went from bad to worse when Billy Gilmour was sent off for a dangerous tackle. Five minutes into stoppage time, Brighton found the equaliser. A corner came out to Gross, who cut back and forth before putting in a deft cross for Dunk.
The Brighton captain was first to the ball, and directed his header past Pickford to salvage a draw for his side, sending the home fans wild. The result means Brighton keep their unbeaten home streak in the league going, increasing the run to 11 games.
Brighton stay in 7th, but gain a point on Manchester United in 6th after their defeat to Fulham. Everton move clear of Luton on points, but will feel this was a missed opportunity after leading so late in the game.
Brighton are next back in action on Wednesday in the FA Cup when they travel to Wolves. Everton are back at Goodison Park next weekend in the league when they take on West Ham.
