Only the league’s bottom two sides had amassed fewer than Brighton’s eight points since the start of December, although that was far from apparent after a positive first-half display.
An opportunistic flick from Danny Welbeck kept Jordan Pickford on his toes before half-chances in the form of a Georginio Rutter volley and a Welbeck header ensured Everton remained on the back foot.
With almost 20 minutes played, the first clear-cut opportunity fell to Kaoru Mitoma, who played a neat one-two with Welbeck before bursting into the box and lifting the ball over Pickford’s legs but narrowly wide of the far post.
Just Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers had fired fewer attempts on target than Everton heading into this one, and by the half-time whistle, the Toffees hadn’t so much as attempted a shot.
Nonetheless, the contest remained goalless at the restart, and it was the visitors who finally got a shot off when the returning Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dragged an effort wide following some well-worked build-up play.
Also returning to the starting XI after injury, Jarrad Branthwaite then saw his flicked header drop marginally off-target, and the in-form Thierno Barry nearly provided an assist for Dewsbury-Hall, who was thwarted by Bart Verbruggen from close range.
Given the Toffees’ vast improvement going forward, the away fans will have been especially disappointed to see them fall behind with just over 15 minutes to play, as Pascal Gross swept in a first-time effort for his first goal since returning to the Amex.
Mitoma was wheeling off in celebration as the final whistle neared, but his side-footed strike was ruled out for an offside in the build-up, keeping Everton in the game.
Incredibly, substitute Beto capitalised and scored in stoppage time when he was first to the ball, tapping home on the rebound after Verbruggen had saved Jake O’Brien’s fierce shot, rescuing a point for the visitors.
It’s now just one victory in 11 league matches (D6, L4) for Fabian Hurzeler’s side, who sit 13th, three points off the top half.
As for Everton, four games undefeated (W1, D3) leaves them eighth, just three points off Chelsea in fifth, having played an extra game.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pascal Gross (Brighton)