Marco Silva felt Everton were dealt a “tough” hand after the Blues went down to a stoppage-time Premier League defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Everton led 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining - and had seen a penalty claim rejected after Richarlison went over in the box – when Brighton were awarded a spot kick by the video assistant referee (VAR) who ruled Michael Keane had impeded home striker Aaron Connolly.

Neal Maupay scored from 12 yards and the hosts completed their comeback when Lucas Digne turned into his own net after Leandro Troassard broke down the left to cross.

Brighton’s winner was rough justice on Silva’s team, who were in the ascendancy from the 20th minute when Adam Webster’s own goal brought Everton level following Pascal Gross’s free-kick opener.

“We had the ambition and desire to come here and win our first away game [this season], Silva told evertontv.

“We did well and controlled the game and took the lead with Dominic’s goal.

“The decision [Brighton’s penalty] had a big impact.

“If VAR found that penalty it has to do the same in the opposite box [for the challenge on Richarlison].

“It has happened many times for us. It is tough for our players in the dressing room. Until 80 minutes we did everything.

“It is tough for us to not go home with three points… because we did enough to achieve that.”

Everton welcome Watford to Goodison Park for a Carabao Cup tie on Tuesday night with a quarter-final spot the prize for the winners.

Silva, then, conceded there would be no time to dwell on the bitterly disappointing closing stages of this encounter on the south coast.

Indeed, the Portuguese was able to draw a sliver of solace from the progressive nature of his team’s performance – and will remind his players of all they did right during the rapid turnaround between matches.

“It is our obligation [to lift the players] and I already gave my first feedback,” said Silva.

“The mood is really low. It is difficult when we put in a big effort and did everything we should – and scored twice.

“It is difficult for them [players] to understand why it happened to us but you have to respect the decision and keep going.

“The next game is a different competition and if we have an ambition to go to the final we have to win.”

Silva made only one enforced change to his team at Brighton, Mason Holgate coming in at centre-half for Yerry Mina, who was ruled out on the morning of the game.

Holgate delivered an assured display and it was the defender’s slide-rule pass which set up Calvert-Lewin to score on 74 minutes.

“Mason had a good game like we expected, he answered well to me like he is every day at Finch Farm and for me it is not a surprise,” added Silva, whose side are next in Premier League action when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison next Sunday.

“We came here with a clear intention to follow in the same way as last week [2-0 win over West Ham United], to win the game.

“We knew it would be tough, Brighton are strong with fast players in attack.

“We had a good first half, even if we conceded, and scored for 1-1.

“We had one or two dangerous moments when we could have scored the second goal, they had some as well.

“It was balanced game, tough for both teams.

“We scored and were more or less in control of the game, then came that moment.

“There were some positives to come from the game, unfortunately we did not get the result and it is a tough moment.

“Many things are going against us. But together, fighting and improving, we will achieve the results we want.”