Rafa’s on the rocks after Brighton pile on misery
Having lost 11 times at goodison in 2021, Everton wanted a better start to home life in the new year. They showed spirit in the second half when local youngster anthony gordon scored his first senior goals but Rafa Benitez’s team stay in the bottom six following only one victory in 12.
There were boos towards the struggling manager as even the return of talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin turned sour.
after missing four months to injury, Calvert-Lewin missed a penalty, hitting the crossbar when Everton trailed 2-0.
The toxic atmosphere was later underlined by Salomon Rondon being jeered as he was introduced to try to salvage a point.
‘it is difficult to understand. normally people are happy when you are pushing for a goal and take off a defender for a striker,’ said a disappointed Benitez.
‘We tried to change things but we are not capable of avoiding mistakes in games. We specifically practised defending corners but could not stop Brighton scoring their second goal. it left us with a mountain to climb.’
To give this crisis more context, Everton are only one point better off than after 18 games in Mike Walker’s calamitous start to the 1994-95 season — although local favourite Joe Royle had already started a recovery job by then.
Brighton deserve credit for a first win at goodison Park in their history. alex Mac allister’s second was goal of the afternoon, a bullet shot into the top corner following a lovely build-up.
But the visitors were also helped by Benitez’s starting line-up, which saw veteran right back Seamus Coleman selected at left wing-back while Lucas Digne stayed on the bench.
Brighton, who have risen to eighth, went ahead after only three minutes as Everton’s defence was static.
Joel veltman was allowed to cross from the right and neal Maupay headed down for Mac allister to prod home.
The goodison misery only increased when the visitors added a second after 21 minutes.
a barnstorming run from Yves Bissouma forced a corner and Mac allister’s delivery was flicked on by Enock Mwepu. Dan Burn, all 6ft 7in, was left unmarked at the far post to nod in.
Everton were given an opportunity to respond quickly after Mwepu needlessly barged into gordon and referee John Brooks gave a penalty after being ordered to look at his monitor.
The stage was set for CalvertLewin but he skimmed the top of the bar without goalkeeper Robert Sanchez needing to move.
There were boos at half-time but Everton got the break they needed after 53 minutes.
gordon cut inside and hit a low left-foot shot that was unthreatening until it deflected off adam Lallana and diverted into the opposite corner.
The winger was quickly in the action again when he claimed he’d been barged in the back for a penalty, leading angry Brighton players to remonstrate as he lay on the floor.
That roused the goodison crowd and, sensing a shift in momentum, Seagulls boss graham Potter sent on fresh defenders Shane Duffy and Tariq Lamptey after an hour.
Brighton extended their lead on 71 minutes in stunning fashion.
Mason Holgate had made a saving tackle to deny Maupay but the visitors recycled the ball and when Leandro Trossard chipped towards Mwepu his first-time lay-off was belted into the top corner by Mac allister from just outside the box.
There were a few isolated shouts for Benitez to ‘go now’, accompanied by jeers as he prepared to send on Rondon. But Everton threw themselves another lifeline when Calvert-Lewin fed Jonjoe Kenny and his low centre was stroked home by gordon.
That was Kenny’s last involvement as he made way for Rondon but Everton’s best chance of a late equaliser disappeared when gordon fired wide with his hat-trick attempt.
The further boos at fulltime were aimed at Benitez rather than the players, whose secondhalf efforts were applauded.
afterwards he appeared to lay the blame for Digne’s nonselection on the player himself.
‘The important thing is to have players on the pitch who want to be there,’ said Benitez. ‘That is the main thing, players who want to fight for the club.’ The Frenchman’s Everton career now looks over following the signing of left back vitaliy Mykolenko who was an interested observer at goodison. For Brighton boss Potter, the result showed his players’ character following on from a battling draw at Chelsea. ‘it’s an incredible effort from the players and a fantastic three points,’ he said.
‘We have improved our game management this season. The guys are getting older and wiser, they understand you can’t be perfect for 90 minutes and have to see out difficult moments.
‘i’m delighted for alex Mac allister. He would have been frustrated with his lack of games a few weeks ago but he’s stuck at it and been able to contribute when given the chance.’ EVERTON (3-4-3): Pickford 6: Godfrey 6, Keane 6, Holgate 5.5; Kenny 6 (Rondon 76min), Allan 5.5 (Gomes 87), Doucoure 6, Coleman 6.5; Gray 7, Calvert-Lewin 5.5, Gordon 7.5. Scorer: Gordon 53, 76. Booked: Kenny. Manager: Rafa Benitez 5. BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Sanchez 6: Veltman 6 (Duffy 61, 6), Burn 7, Webster 5.5, Cucurella 7; Bissouma 7, Lallana 6 (Lamptey 61, 6); Mwepu 7.5, Trossard 6 (Moder 81), MAC ALLISTER 8; Maupay 7. Scorers: Mac Allister 3, 71, Burn 21. Booked: Webster. Manager: Graham Potter 7.
Referee: John Brooks 6.