“What a f***ing joke,” a Brighton supporter yelled as he left the stands. Eight rows of seats beneath him, David Moyes was gathering his breath having just crept off the pitch he had sprung onto, dancing and jumping with joy at Beto’s last-gasp equaliser.

Everton’s number nine, in the distance, thumped his chest before taking his shirt off and climbing into a jubilant away end that swallowed up the birthday boy in an outpouring of pride and relief. On the halfway line, Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba sat with his head in his hands as more of his supporters headed towards the concourses cursing a Blues side that once again left them stunned.

This was not the battling, hard-fought three points that signalled the fanbase had their club back almost 12 months ago to the day. Nor was it the stunning 5-1 shock victory that did so much to save Everton from relegation under Sean Dyche. And there will be critics who will say a point at Brighton should not warrant...