Everton moved further clear of the relegation zone with a hard-fought victory over Brighton, thanks to a decisive penalty from Iliman Ndiaye. This win marked David Moyes’ 700th Premier League game in charge and his second consecutive victory since returning to the club. The experienced manager’s trademark ability to organize a resolute defense was on full display, as Everton frustrated Brighton with disciplined defending and time management.
The match saw Everton capitalize on a critical moment late in the first half. Brighton’s Joël Veltman inexplicably handled the ball in the box under pressure from Everton substitute Beto, prompting the referee to award a penalty after consulting the VAR. Ndiaye confidently converted the spot kick, though his exuberant celebration earned him a yellow card.
Despite a spirited response from Brighton in the second half, they failed to break down Everton’s defense. Kaoru Mitoma came closest with a curling effort just wide, while Jordan Pickford made key saves to maintain Everton’s lead. Jarrad Branthwaite also played a pivotal role, making a crucial block to deny a goalbound effort from Carlos Baleba.
Everton’s victory came despite early adversity, as they lost striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to a suspected hamstring injury just 13 minutes into the game. His replacement, Beto, proved instrumental in creating the decisive penalty incident. The absence of Calvert-Lewin and Orel Mangala due to injury was the only dampener on an otherwise celebratory day for Everton and their traveling supporters, who serenaded Moyes at the final whistle.
The win extends Everton’s buffer over the relegation zone to seven points, with an upcoming home fixture against Leicester providing another opportunity to consolidate their position. Moyes, reflecting on his managerial milestone, expressed pride in reaching 700 Premier League games, though he acknowledged the challenges of matching the records of legends like Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger.
Brighton, meanwhile, will rue their inability to capitalize on their second-half dominance. Despite entering the match on the back of three consecutive away wins, their struggles at home against lower-ranked teams continued. Manager Fabian Hürzeler’s side lacked sharpness in the final third, with substitute Georginio Rutter and Mitoma unable to convert late opportunities. The frustration of the home crowd was palpable, with boos directed at the referee following the controversial penalty decision.
The result underscores Everton’s newfound resilience under Moyes, whose tactical acumen has already begun to yield results. For Brighton, the defeat serves as a reminder of the need to address their inconsistency at home as they aim to maintain their push for a strong league finish.
