How it happened: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-2 Everton
Saturday’s clash saw an undefeated Everton side travel to the Amex to take on Brighton & Hove Albion. A fixture which promised a competitive and closely contested match. Here is how it happened.
The starting line up which Graham Potter sent out against the Toffees continued to feature in-form hero Shane Duffy. Neal Maupay was available after an injury scare last week and Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman returned as they both featured on the bench.
Potter made one change in his first XI from the 2-0 win over Watford, the absence of Solly March due to a hamstring injury meaning that Jakub Moder gained a starting position in the Brighton side.
The first half kicked off in an exciting fashion as both teams displayed why they have yet to lose so far this season. Exchanges between the sides were had but without any success in the early stages.
It looked like the scores would be level going into the break until Everton pounced on an opportunity at the hands of Demari Gray, the Toffees taking a 1-0 lead into half time with them.
The second half started with one change for the Brighton side as Veltman replaced Alexis Mac Allister. The Seagulls looked to respond very well early on in the second half as they constructed brilliant patterns of play and put a lot of pressure on the Everton defence.
Leandro Trossard spearheaded the attack and ensured Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal was kept busy. Brighton put together three close chances in consecutive minutes early on in the half but were not able to find the breakthrough.
This momentum was severed when Brighton conceded a penalty which Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted and took the difference to 2-0 in favour of Everton. It was frustrating for the Seagulls as this was not a true reflection of the performance they were delivering.
Brighton again responded and showed some fighting character to put the Toffees under more and more pressure but credit to them as they managed to deal with a series of Trossard strikes without conceding. The game came to a close at 2-0 to Everton.
The Seagulls carry on their Premier League campaign after the international break against newly promoted side Brentford on the 11th of September.
No doubt Potter will be looking to respond and get some points from this fixture and build some momentum going forward. Until then, we will catch you soon for some more How it Happened!
