Substitute Demarai Gray calmly slotted home a last-gasp penalty to earn a vital 1-0 victory for Everton against Brighton and move his relegation-threatened side three points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining of the Premier League campaign.
After Anthony Gordon was adjudged to have been fouled by Marc Cucurella, Gray kept his cool to send Robert Sanchez the wrong way and spark wild celebrations at Goodison Park.
With just minutes left on the clock and the match seemingly destined to end in a stalemate, Anthony Gordon surged into the penalty area and was brought down by Cucurella. Referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot, and Gray stepped up to take the responsibility.
The winger, who had only been on the pitch for 15 minutes, calmly sent Sanchez the wrong way and sent Goodison Park into raptures. The result lifted Everton to 17th place in the table and, barring a significant goal-swing, moved them out of the relegation zone with two games to spare.
Everton had to dig deep to secure the win, and they were indebted to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for a string of fine saves, including a brilliant stop from Neal Maupay's header in the first half.
Brighton also had their chances, and they will be left wondering how they did not manage to capitalize on the home side's profligacy in front of goal. Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard both came close for the Seagulls, but they ultimately failed to find a way past Pickford.
The win was a huge relief for Everton manager Frank Lampard, who has been under intense pressure in recent weeks. The former Chelsea boss has now overseen 12 wins in 32 league matches since taking charge of the Merseyside club in January.
"It's a huge, huge win. We fought until the end, and we deserved it in the end," Lampard said after the match. "The players showed great resilience and character, and I'm delighted for them and the fans."
For Brighton, the defeat ended their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season. Graham Potter's side has finished ninth in the Premier League table, three points behind seventh-place West Ham United.
"We're disappointed not to have won the game, but we have to give credit to Everton," Potter said. "They fought hard, and they deserved the win."
Everton's 1-0 victory over Brighton was a huge result for the relegation-threatened club. The win moved them three points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining of the Premier League campaign and gave them a huge boost in their fight for survival.
For Brighton, the defeat ended their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season. However, they can still finish the campaign on a high by securing a top-half finish in the Premier League table.
