LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) – Everton were thrashed 4-1 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion who scored three goals in five second-half minutes in their first Premier League game of 2023 to leave the Blues hovering above the relegation zone after another horrendous defensive display.
Winger Kaoru Mitoma, who scored in Brighton’s 4-2 home defeat by Arsenal on New Year’s Eve, wasted an early chance with a header but more than made up for it with a clinical run and finish in the 14th minute to open the scoring.
Brighton’s teenaged Irish striker Evan Ferguson, rewarded with his first league start after coming off the bench to score against Arsenal, blasted home a first-time shot seven minutes into the second half to extend the visitors’ lead.
That goal prompted a complete defensive collapse by Everton as Solly March was allowed to drift across the box and fire home in the 54th minute before Pascal Gross made it four by finishing a counter-attack with a lovely chipped finish in the 57th.
It took until stoppage time for Everton to get a consolation goal, Demarai Gray scoring from the spot after Alex Iwobi was fouled by keeper Roberto Sanchez, but it was cold comfort for the home fans, who booed their side loudly at the final whistle.
The result leaves Everton in 16th place on 15 points after 18 games, a point above the drop zone and only three ahead of basement side Southampton, with the bottom four having a game in hand on the Blues. Brighton are up to eighth on 27 points.
(Reporting by Philip O’Connor; Editing by Ken Ferris)
