Richarlison strike gives Everton 1-0 win over Brighton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Everton's Richarlison in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Bernardo and Dale Stephens REUTERS/Phil Noble

Everton forward Richarlison curled a superb first-half shot past Brighton & Hove Albion keeper Mat Ryan to earn a 1-0 win in their Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Ryan promised to donate 500 Australian dollars ($345.05) to the bushfire relief effort in his native country for every save made in the Premier League this weekend and his defenders were also in charitable mood as they conceded a slew of chances.

Everton's Theo Walcott had two penalty appeals turned down in the opening 20 minutes before Richarlison broke the deadlock seven minutes before halftime, making a quick stop and a tight turn in the box before curling in his effort at the far post.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin is seen to handle the ball as he scores a disallowed goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

"A fantastic goal from Richarlison, he has fantastic qualities. He can play everywhere," Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti said of his Brazil striker.

The Merseysiders are 11th with 28 points from 22 games, while Brighton stand 14th with 24, four above the drop zone.

Leandro Trossard hit the woodwork for Brighton early in the second half while Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had added a second for Everton but the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled he handled the ball when scoring and the goal was disallowed.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Everton's Fabian Delph in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Pascal Gross REUTERS/Phil Noble

Brighton brought on experienced striker Glenn Murray but despite some decent chances for the 36-year-old, the visitors could not find the net and Everton hung on for the win.

"We tried, we put a lot into the game, the effort was there and we hit the bar but we didn't do enough to get that goal," Brighton boss Graham Potter told the BBC. "The difference was a great finish and we were not able to execute that today."

Everton's Ancelotti was not suprisingly a lot more satisfied than his opposite number after the final whistle.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Everton's Michael Keane shoots against the crossbar Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

"For 60 minutes the performance was good, at the end it was normal to suffer a little bit at 1-0 up. We suffered but we were determined to have three points at the end and this is the most important thing," the 60-year-old Italian said.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Everton's Theo Walcott applauds the fans as he is substituted off REUTERS/Phil Noble

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Brighton & Hove Albion's Neal Maupay tries to wrestle the ball from Everton's Jordan Pickford during the match REUTERS/Phil Noble

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti shakes hands with referee David Coote after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Brighton & Hove Albion's Lewis Dunk in action with Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin REUTERS/Phil Noble

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 11, 2020 Everton's Jordan Pickford is shown a yellow card by referee David Coote REUTERS/Phil Noble