As Everton continue to linger dangerously close to the relegation zone following their points deduction earlier this season, Sean Dyche’s Toffees headed to Brighton on Saturday to face a Seagulls side in a shaky patch of form.
BHA: Verbruggen; Igor, Dunk, van Hecke, Lamptey; Gilmour, Groß; Adingra, Welbeck, Buonanotte; Ferguson
EVE: Pickford; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Godfrey; McNeil, Garner, Gueye, Harrison; Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin
With confidence high after dismantling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last weekend, Roberto de Zerbi’s Seagulls looked to be intent on recording a similar scoreline on the South Coast as they faced Everton.
But the Toffees did well to withstand the near-constant pressure throughout the first half, though Sean Dyche’s side did find themselves waiting until the 57th minute for their first shot on target – which saw Tariq Lamptey produce a fine headed clearance off the line to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure’s volleyed effort.
Fifteen minutes later, Everton seized the lead – with a tremendous effort from Jarrad Braithwaite nestling in the top corner from fifteen yards out following a free-kick.
The visitors would be further buoyed as the match entered the final ten minutes of regulation time, as Billy Gilmour was shown a straight red card after a crunching studs-up challenge on Amadou Onana’s ankle.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut despite having just ten men on the field, Brighton showed grit to fight back – and there was a palpable sense of relief around the AMEX in the 95th minute as Lewis Dunk slammed home from a Pascal Groß cross to restore parity, and more importantly, earn a point for the hosts.
Everton are now winless in nine games and find themselves just a point clear of Luton Town, and the Hatters still have an extra match to play. As for Brighton, they remain in the final European qualification spot but with the likes Wolves, Newcastle United and West Ham on their heels, a draw is most certainly not what Roberto de Zerbi would have been aiming for.
