Everton’s push for a European place was dealt a blow this week as news emerged that injured Jack Grealish is expected to miss the rest of the season.
But David Moyes was boosted by the return of both Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite to the starting line-up at Brighton.
Dewsbury-Hall contributed four goals and three assists before picking up a hamstring injury in December, while centre-back Branthwaite made his first start of the season.
Thierno Barry headed into the game with four goals in his past five appearances, but the striker hardly got a look-in during an underwhelming first half for the visitors.
However, Everton’s response in the second half was impressive.
They had seven shots after the break, four of them on target, and Brighton’s opener came firmly against the run of play.
But Moyes’ side did not let their shoulders drop and found the leveller from almost the final passage of play.
Verbruggen could only parry O’Brien’s shot into the path of Beto and the striker, who has been limited to bit-part roles in recent months, emerged the hero.
There was a video assistant referee (VAR) check on whether Tarkowski was interfering with play from an offside position, but it was ruled in Everton’s favour.
The Toffees will go home the happier side, preserving their excellent record on the road with four wins, two draws and one defeat from past seven games.
And more importantly, they sit only two points behind their Merseyside rivals Liverpool and four behind fourth-placed Manchester United.