Match Attendance: 30,548
Who was Man Of The Match?
For the tenth consecutive season, Everton have avoided loss in their first two league games. The Toffees shone against Southampton on the opening day, and mirrored a hard-working Leeds in terms of work rate and pressure last Saturday at Elland Road. Ignoring the fact that it is early in the season, Rafa Benitez’s side has averaged 7 shots on goal per game so far, compared to 3.9 in 2020-21. Perhaps an early glimpse of his offensive influence to a side that were quite frankly struggling in the final third last season?
Everton’s undefeated start to the Premier League season was extended with a superb performance against Brighton. Demarai Gray scored four minutes before halftime with a superb solo effort, giving the Toffees their first win against Brighton since April 1983. Richarlison has been involved in 42 Premier League goals since arriving in 2018 (having scored 34 and providing eight assists), the most of any player at the club. Today he had an opportunity to increase his goal contribution for the club when Everton were given a penalty. He unwillingly gave up the ball to Dominic Calvert-Lewin who slotted the penalty giving his side a comfy two-goal cushion. Our Man Of The Match award goes to Michael Keane, who regained his form after his mistake at Elland Road last weekend.
Rating: 7.71
Minutes played: 90
Pass accuracy %: 92.3
Touches: 42
Passes: 26
Aerial duels won: 1
Tackles: 4
Interceptions: 5
Clearances: 3
Blocked shots: 2
Clean Sheets: 1
Only Manchester City have produced more open-play stretches of 10 or more passes than the Seagulls in their two Premier League games so far. The Seagulls should now begin to look upwards rather than down the pecking order based on their entertaining football. After scoring two goals against Burnley and Watford in their opening two games, this was a frustrating setback for Brighton, who struggled to find their attacking rhythm. Lets hope for the seagulls that this isn’t the ghost of last season coming back to haunt them. Anyways, we thought Groß was Brighton’s best performer, Yves Bissouma also looked sharp.
Rating: 7.10
Minutes played: 90
Pass accuracy %: 84.5
Shots (on target): 1(1)
Key Passes: 3
Tackles: 4
Interceptions: 1
Clearances: 1
Touches: 88
MyMOTM 