Brighton 1 Everton 1: Wayne Rooney nets dramatic penalty at the death

WAYNE ROONEY earned Ronald Koeman a stay of execution with an 89^th-minute penalty equaliser.

The former England skipper, restored to the starting line-up after being axed for the 1-0 home defeat by Burnley calmly sent Seagulls keeper Matt Ryan the wrong way to avoid a fifth defeat in six League matches for boss Koeman. Seagulls fans had serenaded the Dutchman with cries of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ after winger Anthony Knockaert drilled home the opener in the 83^rd minute.

But when Brighton skipper Bruno nudged over Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Brighton defended a free-kick,  Rooney stepped up to score from the spot.

For an Everton side desperately short of pace and punch up front it was only a seventh goal in 13 League matches – while they have also enduring a miserable start to their Europa League campaign.

This match was switched to a Sunday lunchtime kick-off to entertain an estimated 200,000 crowd at a fan park in Bangalore – who would all have enjoyed a good night’s sleep after this. Idrissa Gueye did force an athletic save from Brighton keeper Matt Ryan midway through the first half.

And Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent a free header meekly over from a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick.

But shortly before half-time, Michael Keane appeared to handle as he blocked a Lewis Dunk shot – with ref Michael Oliver waving away protests.

Mason Holgate forced another save from Ryan but Brighton were again appealing for a penalty when Leighton Baines shoved  Pascal Gross.

Then Knockaert struck after a Jose Izquierdo shot had been blocked, only for Rooney to level and Ryan to make a brilliant double save during a  goalmouth scramble in injury-time.

From The Sun