Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Everton 1-4 Brighton: Dismal Toffees thrashed by rampant Seagulls as Frank Lampard’s problems deepen
A new year brought no change in fortune for beleaguered Everton manager Frank Lampard as Goodison Park turned toxic after Brighton and Hove Albion recorded their biggest away win - 4-1 - in the Premier League.
Any sliver of confidence gained from the weekend’s creditable draw at Manchester City was shattered by a performance lacking guts and guile and justifiably greeted with loud boos.
It was typified by a catastrophic seven-minute spell at the start of the second half in which they conceded three soft goals to 18-year-old Evan Ferguson, Solly March and Pascal Gross to add to Kaoru Mitoma’s early first-half strike.
Demarai Gray’s added-time penalty consolation merely prompted yet more chants of ‘Sack the board’. For the second successive home match the Toffees were booed off as a pivotal month in which they are required to, at the very least, beat fellow strugglers Southampton and West Ham and make some new signings began in the worst possible fashion.
Relive you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton get the game restarted. They have a lead to hold onto.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton were the better side for the first minutes, but couldn't handle the Brighton attack when they started getting into the groove of the game. Full-backs Mykolenko and Patterson have struggled, regularly getting beaten on the outside by March and Mitoma respectively. Gray and McNeil have shown promise, but have not performed on a consistent basis in the first 45 minutes. They have had spells where they have looked dangerous, but also extended periods where they have offered very little. As for Brighton, they have been the better side. Mitoma should have two goals to his name, with De Zerbi's side clearly bolstered by the return of Caicedo, who has been excellent.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have the lead at half-time thanks to a strike from Japanese international Mitoma. Under pressure in the opening exchanges, with Iwobi and Davies both denied by Sanchez, it was the away side who broke the deadlock. Mitoma should have had his first after missing a header from close range, before supplying a composed finish. Switching the play out to the left, Caicedo’s driven pass beat Patterson, with Mitoma dribbling past Coady before shooting low beyond Pickford. Scoring against Arsenal, Ferguson could have doubled Brighton’s advantage when he got on the end of Mitoma’s cross but hit the post.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Sanchez makes a save in the final few moments of the first half. Gray cuts inside from the left, unleashing a dipping shot from the edge of the box. The strike goes straight at the goalkeeper, but he parries it away to avoid any late embarrassment.
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Gueye chips the ball into the box, but Estupinan is there to clear the immediate danger.
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