Everton have taken a huge step towards Premier League survival after beating European-chasing Brighton 5-1 at the Amex.
Sean Dyche’s men were in dreamland by half-time after they raced into a 3-0 lead with an exhibition of devastating counter-attacks. Abdoulaye Doucoure was twice the beneficiary of the visitor’s fast-break potency and Jason Steele an unfortunate contributor, as he ricocheted the ball into his own net.
The pattern of play remained the same after the restart despite wholesale changes from Roberto De Zerbi. Everton held the fort and broke to make it four through Dwight McNeil, while Brighton continued to probe, eventually drawing one back through Alexis Mac Allister — but it was too little, too late as McNeil smashed home a fifth at the death.
Here is how the players rated at the Amex:
Brighton
Jason Steele – 3 – When your lucks out. Steele had the unfortunate task of picking the ball out of his net five times, one of which was a result of his own goal.
Pascal Gross – 4 – Tried to make things happen going forward, but defensively he was a bit all over the place as Everton surged forward in cyclical waves of counter-attacking motion.
Adam Webster – 4 – Really struggled to deal with Everton’s quick counter attacks as Dyche’s men split through them at sheer will in the first half. It was Webster’s loose pass to Mac Allister that led to Doucoure’s second on the stroke of the half-hour mark, before he was eventually hooked at the break.
Lewis Dunk – 3 – Struggled to really impose his authority as Everton charged forward, with De Zerbi’s backline at sixes and sevens for much of the match. It was Dunk’s initial mistimed lunge on Calvert-Lewin for Everton’s first that really set the tempo.
Pervis Estupinan – 4 – Wasteful going forward and in no man’s land for most of Everton’s goals as he recklessly surged forward and gave away space.
Moises Caicedo – 5 – Controlled the tempo well enough, but Brighton needed urgency, and he didn’t really offer enough. When Dyche’s men set up in a low block, he struggled to unlock doors.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6 – Pressed and probed and eventually got the goal for Brighton, but this was not a vintage display from the World Cup winner.
Facundo Buonanotte – 5 – Ineffective and quiet. The Argentine teenager showed flashes of quality but not consistent enough to really test Mykolenko and offer a tangible final-third threat in what was a shocking first 45 minutes.
Deniz Undav – 4 – Completely anonymous. The 26-year-old German just couldn’t find the space or incentive to really unlock doors for Brighton and worry Everton’s backline. He was another of the unfortunate victims of De Zerbi’s half-time cull.
Sean Dyche has never lost a Premier League away game against Brighton on his managerial career.
And that's the bottom line… pic.twitter.com/P8FYVT3Kf3
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 8, 2023
Kaoru Mitoma – 6 – Brighton’s biggest threat. Defensively they were all over the place, but their only route to goal was through Mitoma who, of course, was heavily involved in their only goal of the game.
Danny Welbeck – 4 – Similar to Undav, the robust centre-forward was kept muzzled by Dyche’s centre-backs, who suppressed his attacking output and influence.
Substitutes:
Julio Enciso (for Undav 45′) – 6 – Looked lively and brought a renewed vigour to the pitch, but Everton were firmly set up by that point.
Solly March (for Buonanotte 45′) – 6 – Similar to Enciso, he brought an injection of pace and life, but ultimately not enough.
Levi Colwill (for Webster 45′) – 5 – Just as guilty at the back as Webster as Everton continued to drive forward in quick counters.
Evan Ferguson (for Welbeck 45′) – 6 – Had a few openings, which is more than can be said of Welbeck.
Billy Gilmour (for March 79′) – N/A – Came on as a late substitute.
Everton
Jordan Pickford – 8 – Made some absolutely vital saves to protect his net and keep Everton breathing. His defenders put their bodies on the line in front of him, but when openings were created, he was there to shield the net. He was, of course, unfortunate to pick the ball out of his net. Deserved a clean sheet.
Nathan Patterson – 7 – It’s never an easy task coming up against the delightfully unpredictable and dazzling footwork of Mitoma, but Patterson stood up to the challenge well and stifled his on-field opponent for the most part.
Yerry Mina – 7 – Heroic and aggressive, the often bumbling Colombian was anything but error-laden this afternoon as he threw his body at every shot, through ball and cross. He formed a formidable partnership with Tarkowski to thwart most of what Brighton threw at them.
James Tarkowski – 8 – His blocks were world class. When Brighton did manage to sneak through Dyche’s well-oiled midfield, his trusty centre-back was there to neutralise their threats. A real heart-on-sleeve performance.
Vitalii Mykolenko – 7 – March was having a bit of joy in the second half, but his handling of Buonanotte in that opening 45 minutes was top class.
Idrissa Gueye – 7 – Tackled with energy and protected his backline diligently. This was Gueye at his best as he shielded his centre-back team-mates and anchored the midfield.
James Garner – 7 – A superb showing from the former Man Utd midfielder, who won the initial ball that set up Everton’s counter for Doucoure’s second, while a neat through ball nearly resulted in McNeil baging from a curling effort — only to be blocked by Webster. His persistent harrying and drive really energised Everton’s midfield.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 9 – Dyche’s midfield engine and difference-maker. Doucoure showed tremendous industry and drive to consistently surge forward and offer a threat in the final third. His role for Everton’s second summed him up as he played the initial pass which led to McNeil’s counter, before getting on the end of his eventual cross. Pure heart and desire from the dynamic midfield star.
Alex Iwobi – 8 – The incisive winger ran his socks off and gave everything for the cause. He was immense in the first-half to get Everton out of tight corners and drove with explosive energy: it was his run and ball through that set up McNeil for Everton’s fourth.
Dwight McNeil – 10 – A perfect display! Defensively McNeil tracked back and blocked everything Brighton had to offer, but going forward he was immaculate. The emblematic player of Dyche’s fast-break system, he was inspirational to dart forward and tee up Doucoure; cross for Steele’s own goal; and then round the game off in the 76th minute and right at the death. Absolutely sensational stuff from Dyche’s star man.
Dwight McNeil's game by numbers vs. Brighton.
100% take-ons completed
45 touches
13 touches in opposition box
9 duels won
8 x possession won
5 take-ons
4 shots
3 fouls won
3 chances created
2 shots on target
2 goals
1 fantasy assist
1 assistUnplayable. ♨️#BHAEVE pic.twitter.com/8S02wTNgsH
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) May 8, 2023
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7 – Set the tone in the opening seconds as he raced through and set up Doucoure — and he carried that on all throughout the match to give Everton an option up top and relieve the pressure.
Substitutes:
Amadou Onana (for Gueye 86′) – N/A – Came on as a late substitute.
Neal Maupay (for Calvert-Lewin 87′) – N/A – Came on as a late substitute.