25 JANUARY 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 EVERTON 1
PREMIER LEAGUE
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Looking to protect a 7-match unbeaten run, the Albion welcomed Everton to the Amex for a Premier League encounter, the match being covered by BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Fresh from their excellent 3-1 win at Old Trafford on the 19 January the Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from that game, with Tariq Lamptey and Brajan Gruda replacing Pervis Estupinan (injured) and Yankuba Minteh (disciplinary).
Everton had parted company with Head Coach Sean Dyche in early January and soon thereafter installed former Manager David Moyes in place of Dyche. In their previous outing, Everton had enjoyed a 3-2 Premier League win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on the 19 January and unsurprisingly the Toffees named an unchanged starting line-up from the Tottenham game for their visit to the Amex.
In their meetings in the Premier last season the teams fought out two draws. It was 1-1 at Goodison Park on the 4 November 2023, with Vitaliy Mykolenko (7m) scoring for the Toffees and defender Ashley Young (84m, own goal) replying for the Seagulls. The return game at the Amex on the 24 February 2024 also ended 1-1, with Jarrad Branthwaite (73m) netting for Everton and Lewis Dunk (90+5m) claiming a late late equaliser for the Seagulls.
The opening-day this season on the 17 August 2024 had seen the Albion win 3-0 at Goodison, with the goals coming from Kaoru Mitoma (25m), Danny Welbeck (56m) and Simon Adingra (86m).
Everton set out their stall from the start - a low defensive block, with central defenders James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite at the hub. Early on Albion's Tariq Lamptey and then Joel Veltman were denied by the Everton wall. On 12 minutes Everton were unfortunate to lose the services of Dominic Calvert-Lewin after landing awkwardly, Beto substituting. The Seagulls defence was also looking solid with Jan Paul Van Hecke looking prominent as he headed away a dangerous cross from Vitaliy Mykolenko. At the other end Tarkowski made a fine block to deny Joao Pedro and then Everton keeper Jordan Pickford made a timely intervention in punching away Yasin Ayari's free-kick.
Things changed on 42 minutes when Veltman was adjudged to have handled in the area. At first Referee Tim Robinson did not award the penalty but VAR advised him to consult the pitchside monitor whereupon the penalty was awarded and up-stepped Iliman Ndiaye to convert the penalty. 0-1. A dour first-half in which the Albion failed to get going.
Half-time 0-1.
In an effort to improve matters Albion brought on Georginio Rutter for Brajan Gruda at the start of the second-half. Kaoru Mitoma cut in from the left before sending in a low shot which narrowly missed the target. Branthwaite then made two excellent interventions, blocking Carlos Baleba's long-range shot and heading away Mitoma's dangerous cross. In an isolated raid Beto fired his shot wide when well-placed. Albion continued to strive for an equaliser and in the final minutes Danny Welbeck and Rutter went close to equalising.
Final-score 0-1
Match stats:
Albion had 16 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 9 corners, free-kicks conceded -8.
Everton had 3 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 1 corner, free-kicks conceded - 11.
TO SUM UP - A dour game and an uninspiring performance by the Seagulls. The omission of Yankuba Minteh from the starting line-up raised a few eyebrows and it transpired it was a disciplinary issue. Albion's mini-revival was halted by a determined Everton outfit responding to the guidance of new Head Coach David Moyes.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN (Matt O'RILEY 84), Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Tariq LAMPTEY (Yankuba MINTEH 74); Carlos BALEBA (Adam WEBSTER 91), Yasin AYARI (Jack HINSHELWOOD 75); Brajan GRUDA (Georginio RUTTER 46), Joao PEDRO, Kaoru MITOMA; Danny WELBECK.
Subs not used: Carl RUSHWORTH (G/K), Ruairi McCONVILLE, Diego GOMEZ, Simon ADINGRA.
Everton line-up (4--2-3-1):- Jordan PICKFORD; Jake O'BRIEN, James TARKOWSKI (Capt), Jarrad BRANTHWAITE, Vitaliy MYKOLKENKO; Orel MANGALA, Idrissa GUEYE; Jesper LINDSTROM (Nathan PATTERSON 62), Abdoulaye DOUCOURE (James GARNER 78), Iliman ND IAYE (Ashley YOUNG 78); Dominic CALVERT-LEWIN (BETO 13).
Subs not used: Asmir BEGOVIC (G/K), Harrison ARMSTRONG, Michael KEANE, Jack HARRISON, Joao VIRGINIA (G/K).
Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex).
Fourth Official: Tom Nield.
VAR Official: Graham Scott.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 4 - Bart Verbruggen, Yankuba Minteh, Carlos Baleba, Joao Pedro.
Everton: 4- Jordan Pickford, Jake O'Brien, Jesper Lindstrom, Iliman Ndiaye.
Possession: Albion - 69%. Everton - 31%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Iliman Ndiaye (Everton).
Attendance: 31567.
NEXT GAME:
1 FEBRUARY 2025 - NOTTINGHAM FOREST - Away - Premier League - kick-off 12.30. "Live" on TNT Sports.