Everton 4-2 Brighton: Player ratings as the Albion get stuck at the Toffees
It was not a good day at the office for Brighton & Hove Albion in their 4-2 defeat against Everton, a fact clearly reflected by our lowest set of WeAreBrighton.com Player Ratings for the 2020-21 season so far.
Yes, Carlo Ancelotti has built a very good side at Goodison Park who should have designs on the top four this season. But even taking into account the quality of the opposition, the Albion were masters of their own downfall.
Two goals given away from set pieces to add to an already growing collection and another two that came about through sloppy defending. The Albion have conceded 10 goals in three league games so far; if that trend continues, then a long winter could be in store for Graham Potter and his players.
There have been no such problems at the other end, despite the lack of a new striker signing for the Albion. Neal Maupay made it four goals in four games and that was enough for him to finish third in the Brighton ratings for the 4-2 defeat at Everton, just behind fellow goal scorer Yves Bissouma and Solly March.
Here are the full player ratings for Everton 4-2 Brighton & Hove Albion.
Maty Ryan – 5.40
Lots of criticism seemed to come his way after the game, but his 5.40 made him the third-highest scoring player after Maupay. Two excellent saves inside the opening five minutes prevented this becoming a bigger hammering.
Adam Webster – 5.20
Scored highest of the Albion’s back three, not that it is much of an achievement. He spent most of the 90 minutes trying to deal with the outstanding James Rodriguez. In fairness, he did okay apart from when then Colombian escaped him a little too easily for Everton’s fourth.
Lewis Dunk – 5.00
The Albion skipper is enduring the worst run of form he has had since Brighton won promotion to the Premier League. He might have signed a new five-year deal in the summer, but you cannot help but wonder whether failing to seal a dream big money move to his boyhood team Chelsea is having an impact on his performances.
Ben White – 4.60
We are seeing just how tough the step up from Championship to Premier League can be for a young defender. Scored the second-lowest ratings of any Brighton play in the 4-2 defeat to Everton, not helped by the fact he was charged with marking the Premier League’s most lethal hitman in Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Tariq Lamptey – 5.40
Whisper it quietly, but he is still a little vulnerable defensively as shown when he was caught out for Everton’s opener. At 20 years old, he has plenty of time to work on that side of his game and the role he played in Maupay’s equaliser was a reminder of his attacking qualities. Losing him at the break was a real blow to Brighton’s chances.
Steve Alzate – 5.20
Guilty of squandering possession for Everton’s fourth and picked up an early yellow which was unnecessary. Not his finest day, but he is still a very young player and was up against an excellent Everton midfield.
Yves Bissouma – 6.40
His importance to the Albion is now such that he was restored straight to the starting line up after serving a three game ban. Justified that decision by being one of only two Brighton players to score more than six in our player ratings and rounded off a good performance with another excellent long distance goal for his collection.
SOLLY MARCH- 6.60
The left wing back tops the player ratings for the second week running having also scored highest in Brighton’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. He was the Albion’s biggest threat going forward and showed his versatility by ending the game on the opposite flank to where he had started it.
Leandro Trossard – 5.00
Not his best afternoon, especially when compared to recent performances. Gave the ball away sloppily for Everton’s third, which is more remembered than his role in Maupay’s equaliser.
Neal Maupay – 5.60
Reacted quickest to score a poacher’s finish after Jordan Pickford had what can only be described as a complete calamity. Averaging a goal a game currently which represents an excellent start to the season, especially as the Albion have faced three sides who should be eyeing up Champions League football in their four games to date.
Aaron Connolly – 4.20
Failed to get into the game and that is reflected by his score of 4.20, the lowest of any of Brighton’s starting XI. His struggles at Goodison only serve to strengthen the opinion that the Albion have dropped a bollock by not signing striking reinforcements to ease the burden on Maupay.
Joel Veltman – 4.20
Handed his Premier League debut as a half time substitute in place of Lamptey. Used the ball well as you would expect from a graduate of Ajax’s academy.
Adam Lallana – 4.20
Replaced Connolly with 25 minutes to go and showed some nice touches in linking the play together. On a day when Brighton struggled to keep possession, you couldn’t help but wonder if things might have been different had he started.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
