Match report via Everton
First-half strikes from Einar Iversen and Ellis Simms were not enough as Everton Under-23s were hit by a late equaliser in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Norwegian midfielder Iversen was an impressive performer as he opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a clever finish and then provided a classy assist for Simms' eighth goal of a successful season.
But a first-half penalty from Brighton skipper Teddy Jenks and 94th-minute long-range strike from Antef Tsoungui saw the hosts claim a battling point.
The draw moves David Unsworth's team to seventh in the Premier League 2 table with 15 points from 11 matches.
Brighton, who were tidy on the ball, had the majority of possession in the early stages without threatening Harry Tyrer in the Everton goal. Unsworth's team maintained their shape and created the first real chance on 16 minutes.
Rhys Hughes whipped in a deep corner that was just too high for Simms but fell kindly for full-back Kyle John who placed his volley wide.
Simms was a handful for the Brighton rearguard throughout and it was his presence that helped Everton open the scoring on 20 minutes.
The 19-year-old striker latched on to a ball into the box but saw his powerful effort blocked. Iversen was the first to react and his sharp turn and precise low finish was too accurate for Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
Everton's youngsters were now into their stride and deservedly extended the lead on 32 minutes. It was the same attacking duo that combined once again as Iverson's excellent through ball was confidently finished by Simms.
Brighton were not at their best but managed to half the deficit six minutes before the break. Referee Sunny Gill spotted a handball from midfielder Tyler Onyango and Albion skipper Jenks slammed home the penalty.
Katia Kouyate, who replaced Thierry Small on 55 minutes, created Everton's first chance of the second half. Kouyate skipped past three challenges on a mazy run up the left before he was taken out by Romaric Yapi.
Hughes delivered another dangerous set-piece from the left and Simms' inventive flick towards goal was well saved by Rushworth.
Brighton applied late pressure and got the leveller when Tsoungui curled home an equaliser deep into injury-time.
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Match report via Brighton
Antef Tsoungui drilled home in the last moments to ensure Albion finished 2020 with a point as they drew 2-2 with Everton in Premier League 2 at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.
After going two down to goals from Einar Iverson and Ellis Simms, skipper Teddy Jenks hammered home from the penalty spot just before half-time, before Tsoungui's outstanding strike deep into stoppage time.
The Toffees should have been in front after 16 minutes when Kyle John volleyed wide at the back post when it seemed harder to miss, but the visitors had the lead four minutes later.
Iverson was found in the box and he smartly pirouetted and squeezed a strike under Albion keeper Carl Rushworth from eight yards out.
Simms added a second when Iverson turned provider just after the half-hour, picking out his teammate who smartly rolled the ball into the bottom-right corner after beating the offside trap.
Albion were thrown a lifeline six minutes before the break when Tyler Onyango unintentionally punched the ball just inside the area.
Jenks stepped up and his unerring strike from the penalty spot into the bottom left corner left Tyrer with no chance even though he dived the right way.
Stefan Vukoje had a glorious opportunity to level things two minutes later after Jack Spong won possession high up the field. He played Vukoje in down the right of the box, but his thunderous effort was expertly palmed behind by Tyrer.
Half chances fell Albion's way in the second half, with Danny Cashman firing narrowly wide from the edge of the box with 20 minutes to play before Jensen Weir skied an effort from long range.
But Albion's persistence paid off when Tsoungui buried a strike in the top corner in the fourth and final minute of added time.
The result sees Albion finish the calendar year with 16 points from 12 matches, although their current position of sixth will no doubt change after more Premier League 2 fixtures are played this weekend.