Everton – Brighton: Everton Hold Off Battling Brighton In Narrow Win (1-0)

The Premier League schedule threw an interesting matchup between two sides hovering in the middle of the league standings. It was the hosts who claimed a victory despite Brighton’s best efforts to stage a comeback.

Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

Everton came into the game only a point ahead of Brighton in the Premier League table while both sides were coming off disappointing 1-0 defeats in their FA Cup ties. This then presented an opportunity to forget those woes and regain some momentum.

Everton Manager Carlo Ancelotti sent out the hosts in a 4-4-2 formation. Jordan Pickford would start in goal for Everton, with the back four of Djibril Sidibé, Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Lucas Digne ahead of him. Sidibé and Digne would be the fullbacks. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies acted as the central midfield duo in midfield with Bernard and Theo Walcott starting out in the wing positions. Everton’s front two was Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Graham Potter had Brighton start out in a 3-4-3 formation. In goal, they had Matt Ryan and ahead of him were the back three of Adam Webster, Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk. Martín Montoya and Bernardo were the wing-backs who flanked the central midfield duo in midfield of Dale Stephens and Davy Pröpper. The trio up front were Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard with Maupay operating the most centrally.

Everton take initiative in first half
For the vast majority of the first 45 minutes, it was the home side who took control, while Brighton struggled to retain possession for a substantial period. And it was Everton who certainly . . .