Everton captain James Tarkowski struck in the 91st minute to rescue a 1-1 draw for the Toffees and deny Bournemouth victory at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth looked set to secure a winning start in new boss Marco Rose’s first home game in charge after Alex Scott put the hosts ahead in the 41st minute.
However, Everton refused to give up and found a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time when Tarkowski thumped the ball home following confusion inside the Bournemouth penalty area from a corner.
Scott’s opener came after some excellent work from Evanilson on the right wing. The forward chased a long ball, beat Tarkowski and picked out Scott, whose effort from the edge of the box took a deflection before finding the net.
Everton had created the better chances before Bournemouth took the lead in an action-packed first half.
Jarrad Branthwaite came close with a header in the 10th minute, while Thierno Barry failed to convert a rebound after Tyrique George’s initial effort was saved by goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Barry had another opportunity to level before the break but could only find the side-netting following a quick counter-attack. The in-form striker was then denied by Petrovic from close range early in the second half.
Everton continued to push for an equaliser and appealed for a penalty when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall went down in the box after making contact with James Hill, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved away the claims.
Bournemouth appeared to have done enough to hold on for all three points until Everton found a late breakthrough.
Hayden Hackney’s corner caused confusion in the Bournemouth box after both Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie failed to clear the ball, allowing Tarkowski to pounce and fire Everton level in the 91st minute.
The late goal ensured David Moyes’ side left Bournemouth with a point and extended the frustration for the hosts, who had been minutes away from celebrating a victory in Rose’s first home game in charge.
