Everton 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
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Everton had lost three of the previous four Premier League games
Everton manager Sam Allardyce said his players "accepted the pressure" and delivered a "big win" against 10-man Brighton at Goodison Park.
Brighton frustrated the Toffees, who had lost three of the past four games, for an hour before they self-destructed to hand Allardyce's side three points.
Gaetan Bong's own goal broke the deadlock before Cenk Tosun's quality finish - his second in as many games - doubled the lead.
Brighton finished with 10 men after Anthony Knockaert's wild challenge on Leighton Baines.
Wayne Rooney missed a late penalty but Allardyce declared himself happy with his side's performance.
"The players had to handle the pressure," he said. "Our form away, that's been a long standing problem and it was a big win under those circumstances.
"The players accepted the pressure and delivered a performance."
Rooney's off Everton penalties now - Allardyce
Tosun warming to life at Everton
This was a much-needed win for Allardyce and his players.
Everton started the day 11th in the table, closer to the relegation zone than a place in Europe.
This result lifted them up to ninth and means they will host runaway leaders Manchester City on 31 March on the back of three successive home wins.
It has been a frustrating season for the Toffees after spending £150m last summer, but at least Tosun is starting to flourish after arriving from Turkey in a £27m deal in January.
His first goal at Goodison Park - a quality finish from just inside the penalty area after Leighton Baines' pass - sealed victory.
Everton had taken the lead when Yannick Bolasie's sumptuous curling cross, intended for Theo Walcott, hit Bong on the shin and flew past keeper Mathew Ryan.
Knockaert's ill-discipline allowed Everton to comfortably see out the match, despite Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan saving Rooney's late penalty.
The spot-kick was awarded when Shane Duffy brought down substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Cenk Tosun celebrates his first Goodison Park goal by pretending to polish the boots of Leighton Baines, who provided the assist
Calvert-Lewin had replaced Walcott, whose suspected calf injury will be a concern for Allardyce on an otherwise positive day.
"Usually when you lose two games and in the way that we've lost them, you have to find a response from the players," added Allardyce.
"At Goodison, I don't think there's been a problem. Our big problem has been away from home."
Knockaert lets down Brighton
This was Brighton's first visit to Goodison Park in 36 years. Barring a disastrous end to the season, the Seagulls will be back next season.
Despite the defeat, the Seagulls need six points from eight games to reach 40 - the magic number that is supposedly needed to guarantee Premier League survival.
Their plan to frustrate Everton was working well until Bong's own goal, while Knockaert's ill-discipline cost his side any chance of a comeback.
Everton fans marked the 80th anniversary of the Gwladys Street End at Goodison Park
The former Leicester man became the first Brighton player to be sent of in the Premier League after a reckless challenge on Baines.
What will concern Seagulls boss Chris Hughton more is his side's lack of goals away from home.
They have managed just seven on their travels in the league since their promotion, and this was the 14th time they have failed to score in a Premier League game this season.
"We fell well below the standards we've set and the level we needed to get a result," Hughton said after the end of his side's seven-match unbeaten run.
"We restricted Everton to minimal chances going into half time. Once the first goal went in, it lifted the crowd and it became very difficult."
Man of the match - Cenk Tosun (Everton)
Yannick Bolasie and Leighton Baines are both worthy candidates but Cenk Tosun's goal was a rare moment of quality
Top of the own goal charts - the stats
Brighton have scored five own goals this season - two more than any other side in the league.
Wayne Rooney is the first player since Darren Bent in 2009-10 to miss three penalties in a Premier League season.
Brighton were the 41st different opponents Sam Allardyce has faced in the Premier League, while Derby remain the only side he's failed to beat in England's top-flight (P4 W0 D1 L3).
Everton have won seven consecutive Premier League home games against newly promoted sides for the first time in the competition.
Hughton disappointed with 'below standard' Brighton
What's next?
If Everton's season had run smoothly, they might be planning for an FA Cup quarter-final tie next. Instead, they face struggling Stoke City away next Saturday (15:00 GMT) in the Premier League.
Brighton can park their Premier League campaign for three weeks as thoughts now drift towards next Saturday's FA Cup sixth round tie at Manchester United (19:45 GMT) before the international break.
- Published11 March 2018
