GOODISON PARK — Two superbly-taken goals by Alexis Mac Allister secured Brighton‘s first ever win at Goodison Park and increased Everton‘s worries.
The victory completed a great week for the Seagulls after their win over Brentford and draw at Chelsea, and moved Graham Potter’s team up to eighth in the Premier League table.
But ring-rusty Everton – who hadn’t played since December 16 after three successive postponements – start the New Year looking anxiously over their shoulders in 15th place as their dismal run stretched to just six points from the last 36..
Youngster Anthony Gordon twice put Rafa Benitez’s side back in the game in a much-improved second half display but the damage had been done in the first period and Brighton held on for all three points.
Everton (5-4-1)
- Pickford 6
- Kenny 7 (Rondon 76, 5)
- Godfrey 6
- Keane 6
- Holgate 5
- Coleman 6
- Gordon 8
- Allan 6 (Gomes 86, 5)
- Doucoure 6
- Gray 7
- Calvert-Lewin 5
Brighton (4-3-3)
- Sanchez 6
- Veltman 6 (Duffy 60, 5)
- Webster 6
- Burn 7
- Cucurella 7
- Mwepu 6,
- Bissouma 7
- Lallana 6 (Lamptey 60, 5)
- Maupay 7
- Mac Allister 7
- Trossard 6 (Moder 81, 5)
The Seagulls were 2-0 up after only 21 minutes. The first came from a well-constructed move after only three minutes. Mac Allister swept the ball out to Joel Veltman then continued his run into the box to produce a first time finish from 10 yards after Neal Maupay had headed down Veltman’s first time cross.
There were more question marks raised about Everton’s defending when the unmarked Dan Burn added the second with a simple far post header after Enock Mwpeu had flicked on a corner.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered a great chance to put the home side back in the game when his penalty clipped the top of the bar after referee John Brooks, advised to check the pitch-side monitor by VAR, judged Mwepu had bundled over Anthony Gordon.
After being out since the 2-0 win at Brighton in late August, it raised question marks whether the match-rusty Calvert-Lewin should have taken the spot kick.
Brighton could have been further ahead by the break but Jordan Pickford tipped round a shot from Adam Lallana while Maupay lifted his shot just too high after bursting through.
Everton went off to a chorus of boos at the break but upped the tempo in the second half and pulled a goal back after 52 minutes when the lively Gordon saw his left foot shot deflected past the wrong-footed Robert Sanchez after flicking off Lallana’s outstretched boot.
Everton pressed for the equaliser with Demarai Gray and Allan denied by Sanchez saves.
But they were stunned when Mac Allister restored Brighton’s two-goal lead with a stunning strike after 71 minutes. He fired a first time shot into the top corner after Mwepu had flicked Leandro Trossard’s cross into his path.
Gordon raised Everton’s hopes again with a first time finish from Jone Kenny’s low cross but Brighton were good value for their victory – the first time they have scored more than three goals this season.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3FNBLxP
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