Everton were denied a first win in nine Premier League matches as Lewis Dunk scored a stoppage-time equaliser for 10-man Brighton & Hove Albion to claim.

Sean Dyche’s team had led by a well-hit Jarrad Branthwaite shot at the Amex Stadium but despite the Seagulls going down to 10 men, Dunk, on his 400th appearance for the club, guided a fine header past Jordan Pickford in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

How the match unfolded

Robert De Zerbi made two changes from the side that thrashed Sheffield United 5-0, with Igor Julio and Evan Ferguson coming in for Adam Webster and Kaoru Mitoma. As for Everton, Dyche recalled Jack Harrison, with Ashley Young dropping to the bench.

Brighton assumed control of the match, dominating possession and playing out from the back to evade Everton’s press. The Seagulls came close from a through-ball by Pascal Gross to Danny Welbeck, who could not poke the ball past an onrushing Jordan Pickford.

Welbeck had another opportunity after a midfield turnover but a brilliant sliding challenge by Ben Godfrey deflected his shot for a corner.

Everton in the first half  seemed content to soak up the pressure in the hope of catching the home team on a counter but their opportunities were few. The best came from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose glancing header went narrowly wide.

But in the second half Everton started as the brighter team, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s sidefoot volley beating goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen but not a fine headed goalline clearance from Tariq Lamptey, the shortest player in the league at 5ft 4in.

What had been a steady match of possession became an end-to-end affair and Everton took the lead from a set-piece. Pickford launched a ball into the box that fell to Branthwaite, who arrowed it into the top corner.

Matters went from bad to worse for Brighton as Billy Gilmour received his first career red card for a high tackle on Amadou Onana. 

Everton substitute Beto had a chance to double the lead but could not convert a through-ball.

Despite their man disadvantage Brighton pressed for an equaliser and Pascal Gross delivered a perfect cross from the right to allow Dunk loop a header past the outstretched hands of Pickford.

Brighton now have 39 points, five behind Manchester United in sixth. The point lifts Everton above Luton and out of the bottom three. 

Club reports

Brighton report | Everton report

Match officials

Referee: Tony Harrington. Assistants: Richard West, Scott Ledger. Fourth official: Dean Whitestone. VAR: David Coote. Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall.