WAYNE ROONEY inspired Everton to a vital three points against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. 

The win saw them overtake Chris Hughton’s side and they are now in a position to look up the table rather than down it.

Rooney operated as a deep lying playmaker in front of the back four and he sought to create opportunities for his side with an array of passing.

He didn’t always play safe for the sake of keeping possession and regularly pinged long, searching balls to wide players.

He did miss a penalty, however, which would have made it 3-0 and Sam Allardyce admitted that spot-kick duties may be given to another player in the future. But the Everton manager was pleased with Rooney’s overall performance.

“It’s a shame Wayne missed it because he had a very good performance in a sitting midfield role today,” said Allardyce.

“While all the players played really well, it’s the first time he’s played in that position and I thought he mastered it.

“He was our prompter and he kept the ball moving, got the ball forward and kept the flow of the attacks going.“

The Toffees took a deserved lead in the second half when Yannick Bolasie crossed into the danger area and Gaetan Bong turned into his own goal under pressure from Theo Walcott.

The important second was struck in off the underside of the bar by Cenk Tosun after good combination play with Leighton Baines.

Anthony Knockaert’s petulance reared its head when he lunged in two-footed on Leighton Baines. The Frenchman had been struck in the face by the ball moments earlier and the resulting challenge which saw him sent off seemed to stem from this embarrassment.

This diminished the chances of a Brighton comeback and, when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was fouled by former Everton man Shane Duffy, it appeared the result was wrapped up, but Rooney’s penalty was saved well by Mat Ryan.

“I was pleased with what Dominic did when he came on, especially when he did that bit of skill to get the penalty,” added Allardyce.

“But, as always, as you well know, one of the most pleasing things for me is zero goals against.”

Hughton, in contrast, was frustrated with his side.

“I was surprised, particularly with the form that we’ve been in. You can’t come to Everton and play at a level that doesn’t allow you to get anything from the game. Disappointed.”