Seamus Coleman's stoppage-time own goal condemned Everton to a bruising 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth as they equalled their worst Premier League run of 12 games without a win.
Beto’s 87th-minute equaliser to cancel out Dominic Solanke’s opener looked set to earn Sean Dyche’s side a valuable point, but Coleman’s late intervention left them empty-handed.
Adam's Smith deep cross bounced up and hit Coleman on the chest before dropping agonisingly into the net.
This is a crunch time for Everton both on and off the pitch. Their majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri said ahead of the game he remained confident the protracted takeover of the club by 777 Partners would be completed soon and herald a brighter future.
The club are also due to find out the verdict of a second charge of breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, with a further points deduction a possibility before the end of the season in addition to the six they have already lost.
Next up for the Toffees is a trip to Newcastle followed by a relegation clash against Burnley at Goodison Park.
Tottenham came from behind to beat relegation battlers Luton 2-1, boosting their top-four hopes.
Tahith Chong gave the Hatters a shock lead after just three minutes.
Spurs eventually got back on level terms six minutes into the second half through an own goal from Luton defender Issa Kabore.
Ange Postecoglou’s men completed the comeback with four minutes left through Son Heung-min’s deflected effort, which saw Luton slip into the bottom three on goal difference.
Nottingham Forest – deducted four points over breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations – moved out of the dropzone after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at the City Ground.
Jean-Philippe Mateta gave the Eagles the lead in the 11th minute, but Chris Wood’s close-range header just after the hour hauled Forest level.
Bottom club Sheffield United were denied a first home win since early December as Fulham fought back with late goals to draw 3-3 at Bramall Lane.
The Blades took the lead in the 58th minute through Ben Brereton Diaz but Fulham were soon back on level terms through Joao Palhinha’s header.
Oli McBurnie had Sheffield United in front again after 68 minutes, with Brereton Diaz swiftly heading in a third.
McBurnie saw another goal ruled out by VAR before Fulham set up a tense final five minutes when Bobby De Cordova-Reid pulled a goal back and Rodrigo Muniz then struck a superb equaliser with an overhead kick in stoppage time.
Aston Villa maintained their pursuit of Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win over Wolves at Villa Park.
Unai's Emery men had been knocked down into fifth by Tottenham’s late win over Luton earlier on Saturday but they responded in style in the this midlands derby.
Moussa Diaby notched his first Premier League goal of 2024 to open the scoring in the 36th minute before Ezri Konsa celebrated his recent England debut with a rare strike in the 65th minute, though it was a fluke.
He will not care too much about that as his side climbed back up into fourth position, three points above Spurs, as they chase qualification to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time.
It was also an important victory considering they visit Manchester City in midweek, but the one worry will be the condition of Ollie Watkins, who did not reappear after the half-time interval.
