Boyhood Everton fan Wayne Rooney rescued the club from the jaws of defeat as he converted a pressure penalty in the dying moments of the Merseyside club’s 1-1 draw at Brighton.

French winger Anthony Knockaert had earlier given the home side the lead from a few yards out before their Spanish captain produced a moment of madness to give Everton a lifeline which they grabbed with both hands through former Manchester United star Rooney.

The draw was able to lift Everton one place up to 16th with 8 points, the same point tally by Brighton but they have a better goal difference and are in 14th having moved up by two spots.

In the other game on Sunday, Newcastle United were pegged back twice by hosts Southampton in what was an entertaining 2-2 draw at the St Mary’s Stadium. Former Arsenal midfielder Isaac Hayden gave the Geordies a first half lead from long range. .

Southampton responded strongly after the break and they soon equalised through Italian international striker Manolo Gabbiadini but that joy was shortlived as Spanish player Ayoze Perez restored the lead again within two minutes. The South Coast club levelled proceedings for the second time in the game from the spot after new summer signing Florian Lejeune brought down Shane Long paving the way for Gabbiadini to complete his brace with 15 minutes left on the clock.

The draw took Southampton into the top 10 with 9 points while Newcastle United have two more points and they stay just ahead of the Saints in 9th position.