Jonty Banks

Mon 8 May 2023 19:30, UK

Everton propelled themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone with a scintillating 5-1 win against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Monday evening (8 May).

Sean Dyche couldn’t have asked for a better start, with Abdoulaye Doucoure netting after just 35 seconds and doubling his individual tally with a brilliant volley after 30 minutes.

A Jason Steele own goal just five minutes later saw the Toffees race into a three-goal lead at the break before Dwight McNeil wrapped up all three points with a breakaway goal on the 75-minute mark.

The five-star performance was wrapped up with a second McNeill goal in added time.

The victory saw Everton climb up to 16th in the Premier League table and two points clear of the relegation zone with just three games of their season remaining.

Here Goodison News rates the players out of ten for their performances on the south coast.

Jordan Pickford – 8

After a quiet first-half in which he was barely brought into use, the England shot-stopper was on hand to deny Brighton with a quick-fire brace of saves just after the break. Produced a quite superb save to deny Ferguson from point-blank range, and although the offside flag went up, it did look an extremely tight check on further inspection. The highlight reel continued with yet another brilliant one-handed stop, which was made to look even more important considering Everton went on to score at the other end through McNeil just moments later. After strong performances from his England competitors on Sunday, Pickford more than lived up to his billing as his country’s number one.

Nathan Patterson – 8

The first 20 minutes was a baptism of fire for the young defender in coming up against Kaoru Mitoma on the Brighton wing, but after a couple of lost duels, Patterson started to come into his own. He was full of energy and endeavour, pressing whenever possible and snapping into tackles all evening long. Looks nailed on for the right-back role for the remainder of the season in Seamus Coleman’s injury absence.

Yerry Mina – 7

Dyche offered Mina his first start since mid-January and he wasn’t let down by the 28-year-old. Was needlessly given a yellow card after just 17 minutes for time-wasting – a move that didn’t please Dyche in the slightest. Produced a brilliant headed block to deny a certain goal-bound March shot after the break. Lost his marker for the Seagulls’ goal after 80 minutes, but other than this was pretty solid all evening long.

James Tarkowski – 8

Marshalled his defence well as Everton came under serious pressure in the second half, heading clear numerous corners and popping up with vital interceptions time and time again. Even without usual partner in crime Michael Keane, the 30-year-old was an immense presence in the heat of Everton’s defence. Back to best with a colossal display.

Vitalii Mykolenko – 7

After a strong and largely untroubled opening 45 minutes, Mykolenko’s task was made far harder by the introduction of Solly March at half-time, who got on the ball constantly and troubled the Ukrainian with his trickery. Brighton’s late goal came from his flank, which will frustrate the 23-year-old, as Mac Allister bundled home a cross.

James Garner – 7

After a tough season in which the former Manchester United man has barely featured, this finally felt like a coming-of-age moment for Garner in an Everton shirt. Despite not having as much of the ball as he would have hoped, the midfielder used it well when needed and remained cool and composed under a Brighton second-half barrage.

Idrissa Gueye – 6

While others around him turned on the style in attack and stole the headlines, this wouldn’t have been possible without the dogged work of Gueye in midfield. Everton came under severe pressure after the break but the midfielder’s efforts never reduced, sticking to Alexis Mac Allister like glue at times. No standout moments for the former PSG man, but this win wouldn’t have been possible without his industrious effort.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 9

Wow, where to start? Doucoure was simply outstanding all night long, scoring the opening goal after jut 35 seconds, netting his second with a superb dipping volley directly from McNeil’s cross, and even coming close to netting an outlandish hat trick. Dyche offered the Frenchman a more advanced role from the offset, almost playing in a three-man attack behind Calvert-Lewin. This allowed him to surge forward into the final third consistently throughout the game, a trait which he performed to great effect. His most impressive performance in an Everton shirt to date.

Alex Iwobi – 8

Iwobi was Everton’s major driving force on the counter-attack in the first half, running through the Brighton lines with ease at times and having some sort of say in almost every one of his side’s attacks. Was the orchestrator of Everton’s opener, playing a piercing ball into Calvert-Lewin’s feet, before the striker found Doucoure for the goal. Finally got the goal he deserved on the counter-attack to send Everton 4-0 up as he walked the ball into the back of the net.

Dwight McNeil – 9

After a couple of poor performances in recent weeks, this was very much the McNeil from the good old Burnley days. The winger was absolutely everywhere in the first half, sitting back and helping to double up in defence but still possessing the energy to burst forward on the counter-attack. Displayed some superb vision for the second goal when breaking down his left wing and lofting an inch-perfect cross for Doucoure to volley home. Got his second in added time with a great finish.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 8

Calvert-Lewin delivered a quite audacious piece of skill to assist Doucoure after just 35 seconds and was a willing runner into the outside channels throughout. The Englishman drew both Brighton centre-backs into yellow cards within the opening 20 minutes, which was clear evidence of the advantage he held over them in the early stages. Even as his service was limited as the game progressed, he continued to hold the ball up and bring his players into the game.

Substitutes

Neal Maupay – (On for Gueye, 85′) – N/A

Amadou Onana – (On for Calvert-Lewin, 85′) – N/A