Everton suffered a deflating defeat to Brighton on their return to league action on Sunday.
In the Blues’ first game at Goodison since the victory over Arsenal last month, Rafa Benitez’s side found themselves behind after just three minutes and 2-0 down at the break, compounded by a missed penalty from the returning Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Two goals from Anthony Gordon lifted Everton’s spirits but Alexis Mac Allister’s strike with 20 minutes remaining proved to be decisive.
A result that gets Everton off to a less-than-ideal start to the New Year, here’s what the national media had to say about the performance.
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“Brighton’s Mac Allister doubles up to pile misery on Benítez and Everton”
Andy Hunter of The Guardian wrote:
Everton paraded an expensive recruit before kick-off and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the first time in four months but any sense of a fresh start for Rafael Benítez was obliterated by Brighton’s maiden victory at Goodison Park. Errors continue to litter Everton performances, from players and manager alike.
Everton had not played for 17 days as a result of three consecutive postponements because of Covid outbreaks. According to Benítez’s programme notes: “We have used the time without matches to prepare as intensively as possible for the challenges Brighton present. This means understanding how to make it difficult for them to impose their style and, equally importantly, knowing how to create the chances to win the game.”
His words appeared ludicrous given what unfolded in the first half. Brighton were the more coherent, composed and dangerous side from the outset. They were aided and abetted by dismal defending from an Everton team that created little plus the approach adopted by Benítez himself.
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“Alexis Mac Allister and Brighton kill the mood at Goodison Park and heap pressure on Rafael Benitez”
Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph wrote:
Everton were enjoying an encouraging festive period until they lost to Brighton.
There is an obvious punchline. This was their first game since drawing at Chelsea on December 16. At the moment it seems the small matter of Everton actually playing Premier League matches has the impact of souring the mood of their fans.
For the first time in their history, Brighton won at Goodison Park, taking advantage of the errors of the hosts and incessant threat of rancour from the stands.
In his post-match debrief, Rafa Benitez could again point to self-inflicted mistakes, not least a penalty miss by Dominic Calvert-Lewin on his first appearance since August. It is too much of a trend.
“Brighton pile pressure on Rafael Benitez with first win at Everton”
Carl Markham of The Independent wrote:
Brighton’s first victory at Goodison Park piled more pressure on Everton manager Rafael Benitez as Alexis Mac Allister scored twice in a 3-2 win which the Seagulls made harder work of than they should have.
It was a case of new year, same old Everton as even the long-awaited return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin after almost five months out with a thigh injury failed to change their fortunes, with the striker’s main contribution being a missed first-half penalty.
By then the home side were already 2-0 down after Mac Allister’s opener was followed by a Dan Burn header as the Toffees conceded the first goal for the 14th time in 20 matches this season and seventh time in succession
And while Everton academy graduate Anthony Gordon – their one positive on a chastening afternoon – scored his first two goals for the club, Mac Allister’s second in between that double made it an unhappy start to 2022 for Benitez, whose side have now won just once in the last 12 matches.
“Rafa on the rocks? Everton lose at home to Brighton and are stuck in 15th in the Premier League, after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's skied penalty proves costly on another day of boos at Goodison Park”
Joe Bernstein of the Daily Mail wrote:
Having lost 11 times at Goodison in 2021, Everton wanted a better start to home life in the new year than this.
They showed spirit in the second half when local youngster Anthony Gordon scored his first senior goals but it can't hide the fact Rafa Benitez's team stay in the bottom six following only one victory in 12.
There were predictable boos towards the struggling manager as even the return of talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin turned sour.
After missing four months to injury, Calvert-Lewin blew his comeback lines by sending a penalty into orbit when Everton trailed 2-0.
“Alexis Mac Allister double inflicts another damaging defeat on Everton and Rafa Benítez”
Paul Joyce of The Times wrote:
Rafa Benítez has been bullishly confident that Everton will improve markedly during the second half of the season. Increasingly, he must hope he remains in command to put the theory to the test.
This was another damaging loss to test the patience against a slick Brighton & Hove Albion outfit, who performed with a pizzazz that should not have necessitated withstanding a late push for parity from the hosts.
Instead of an equaliser to celebrate, however, the final whistle was greeted with the familiar refrain of a chorus of boos. The new year has started for Everton much like the old one ended. And the one before that.
