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Mason Holgate believes Everton's dramatic fightback at Brighton can prove a turning point in their season – and underlined the strength of character in the squad.

The Blues were tumbling towards a fifth Premier League defeat of the campaign when Anthony Knockaert scored for the Seagulls with eight minutes remaining.

But after Wayne Rooney levelled from the spot in the 90 minute, substitute Kevin Mirallas almost snatched a remarkable victory for Ronald Koeman's side during injury time.

And Holgate, who again impressed at right-back, reckons the manner of Everton's strong finish has banished questions regarding the mental resolve of the squad.

(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

“It definitely could be a turning point,” he said. “The character we have shown after going 1-0 down, a lot of people would have written us off at that point.

“Not only that, once we scored we have carried putting the pressure on.

“That shows character as a team and we are definitely ready for the challenge.

“I don't think our character has ever really been in doubt. We are a strong dressing room.

“Although there is a lot of pressure from outside, and rightly so, we have stuck together as a team and things will start changing now once results start coming.”

Despite the morale-boosting equaliser, Everton remain only three points clear of the relegation zone with just eight points from their opening eight games.

Holgate, though, believes the Blues are working hard for the change in fortune he believes they deserve.

(Image: Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

“I don't think we are overly worried, to be honest with you,” said the 20-year-old. “You can see with what happened at the end it doesn't seem to be dropping for us at the moment.

“It's good that we are creating chances and hopefully we can start putting them away.

“We reacted well to going 1-0 down and showed with the equaliser that we wanted more. It's never easy to go anywhere away from home in the Premier League, but we put a lot of pressure on them towards the end.

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“But that's the luck we have got at the minute. It won't seem to drop for us, bodies are in the way but I think it will change.”

Of Rooney's nerveless penalty, Holgate said: “I don't think anybody really doubted him once we were awarded the penalty. It took a long time for him to take it but it didn't really look like it affected him.

“I don't think any of us were really worried about him not putting it away.”