MATCH REPORT : BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 EVERTON 2

Marco Silva could be forgiven for thinking that the gods are against him this season as the toffees somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at the Amex Stadium.

The Blues arrived on the south coast hoping to build on their excellent victory over West Ham last week but did not start with the same intensity as they had done 7 days previously. Both sides made tentatives start and so it was of great surprise when Pascal Gross arrowed a brilliantly struck free-kick through a gap in the wall and into the net from 20 yards. It was a beautifully struck shot but Jordan Pickford’s attempt to stop it was not impressive. It wasn’t the only question mark that Silva will have regarding the goal after witnessing André Gomes’s lazy attempt to stop Aaron Connolly which resulted in the Brighton free kick from which Gross scored.

Gross’s goal seemed to wake Everton into life and the visitors drew level within five minutes of conceding. The equaliser came from a corner that Bernard had won, Lucas Digne sent over an out-swinging delivery and Richarlison nodded it against the head of Webster and in.

Everton had stirred and Richarlison began tormenting the home defence. In the 23rd minute he threw a low cross in from the left across the face of goal and Theo Walcott really should have done better but Matt Ryan rushed off his line to smother the shot.

Everton lost Bernard after half an hour after the Brazilian slipped on the pitch and jarred his knee, which will be a worry to Silva and Everton as he is often their chief creator.

Richarlison carved out another chance for Walcott after showing skill and speed down the right he set up Walcott again but this time Lewis Dunk hurled himself in front of the Everton winger’s shot to avert the danger.

Brighton had enjoyed moments of good possession but struggled to create anything for  Everton to worry about and it ended all square at the break.

In the second half Everton took control of the game and forced Brighton into playing on the counter attack as the toffees had begun overpowering them in midfield. Ryan did well to hold a strong drive by Iwobi after a corner was only half-cleared,  and the keeper had to deny the same player again moments later as Everton cranked up the pressure.

The introduction of  Dominic Calvert-Lewin soon paid off, as the striker accepted an elegantly crafted pass from Mason Holgate, who strode forward and slid the ball into the path of the striker. Calvert-Lewin fired emphatically past the onrushing Ryan to give Everton a 2-1 lead.

It lasted 8 minutes before the game was turned on its head when Brighton were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. A coming together between Michael Keane and Aaron Connolly was not detected by anybody in the stadium, so there was widespread astonishment when the referee pointed to the spot after VAR concluded that Keane had stepped on the striker’s toe as the pair ran for the ball. It was a ridiculous decision after Connolly made a meal of the incident but the referee had waved it away only for VAR official Lee Mason sat in Stockley Park to deem it was a clear and obvious foul. Neal Maupay scored from the controversial penalty and parity was restored at 2-2.

To make matters even worse for Everton and kick Marco Silva at the same time, Lucas Digne gave Brighton all three points by turning a Leandro Trossard cross into his own net in stoppage time. And yet again Silva’s Everton lost on their travels when they really should have been celebrating a victory. Marco Silva was left devastated by the VAR decision and even Brighton manager Graham Potter admitted that Brighton had got lucky.

How they lined up :

Barry Cass