Premier League GW11 - Everton vs Brighton

Everton vs Brighton | Picture Credits: Getty Images

Everton and Brighton faced battle in an exciting Premier League match, with both teams hoping to take important points. Brighton wanted to halt their losing streak, while Everton wanted to maintain their winning momentum following a run of victories.

Early Lead for Everton:

With three victories in their previous five league games, the Toffees were riding high. They had won 3-0 against Burnley in the EFL Cup and had overcome West Ham in their previous Premier League match going into this one. Everton had a chance to repeat their thrilling 5-1 triumph over Brighton in the previous campaign.

Brighton's Struggles Continue:

On the other side, Brighton was going through a difficult time in the Premier League after losing their last four games. They gave up eight goals in total in their last two road games. Nevertheless, they were focused on turning things around against Everton, who had had a hit and miss campaign thus far.

Starting Lineups:

Everton (4-4-1-1):

• Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
  

• Defenders: Vitalii Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski, Ashley Young
  

• Midfielders: Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner, Jack Harrison
  

• Forward: Abdoulaye Doucoure
  

• Striker: Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton Subs: Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane, Arnaut Danjuma, Joao Virginia, Beto, Ben Godfrey, Youssef Chermiti, Andy Lonergan, Lewis Dobbin.

Brighton (3-4-2-1):

• Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
  

• Defenders: Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Joel Veltman
  

• Midfielders: Kaoru Mitoma, Billy Gilmour, James Milner, Simon Adingra
  

• Attacking Midfielders: Adam Lallana, Pascal Gross
  

• Forward: Evan Ferguson

Brighton Subs: Tariq Lamptey, Igor Julio, Adam Webster, Mahmoud Dahoud, Joao Pedro, Carlos Baleba, Jason Steele, Ansu Fati, Facundo Buonanotte.

Goodison Park | Picture Credits: Football Ground Guide

First Half: Everton Takes the Lead!

In the seventh minute, Vitalii Mykolenko—an unlikely scorer—scored his first goal of the year, capping Everton's strong start. Verbruggen made an early stop, but Mykolenko was spot on with the rebound. But disagreement did not take long to emerge.

Lewis Dunk appeared to tie the score for Brighton in the fifteenth minute with an incredible volley. Pascal Gross delivered the message with precision. Following a VAR review, offside was the reason the goal was disallowed.

Despite Brighton having more of the ball, Everton led 1-0 at the break.

Second Half Drama: Brighton Equalizes Late:

Brighton managed just one shot on goal and found it difficult to convert their considerable possession into opportunities. Everton was happy to take the pressure and respond with a strong counterattack because of their compact defense.

Brighton finally started to count their possession in the eighty-fourth minute. After receiving the ball on the left, Kaoru Mitoma delivered a cross into the box that was met with Ashley Young's deflection and eventually looped over Jordan Pickford and into the net. The game finished in a 1-1 draw thanks to the late drama.

Mykolenko burst into the penalty area from defence and gets on the end of it, | Picture Credits: ESPN

Everton and Brighton shared the spoils in a thrilling match, ending in a 1-1 tie. Brighton's late equalizer, a regrettable own goal by Young, nullified Everton's early lead through Mykolenko. Everton, who put up a strong fight the entire way, had to settle for a draw. The Toffees will want to continue their strong play against Crystal Palace, while Brighton's next Premier League matchup against Sheffield United will see them try to end their losing skid.

Mitoma delivered a cross into the box that was met with Ashley Young's deflection goal, | Picture Credits: Brighton's Website