Everton finally got their well-deserved lead on the hour mark after dominating against Brighton & Hove Albion. Yannick Bolasie cut in from the left with intent and floated in a cross to the far post. Theo Walcott rushed in pressuring Gaetan Bong and the ball went in for an own goal off the defender’s shin.

Doesn’t matter how they go in, they’re all good and Everton lead 1-0.

These two teams last met back in October in one of Ronald Koeman’s final games in charge. They drew 1-1, but only because of a 90th minute penalty kick from Wayne Rooney. It was an even match in which Everton probably deserved the point that they got, but it was disappointing display.

Lineups

Everton

Starting XI: Pickford; Baines, Jagielka, Keane, Coleman; Davies, Rooney; Bolasie, Sigurdsson, Walcott; Tosun

Subs: Robles, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse

Brighton & Hove Albion

Starting XI: Ryan, Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Kayal, Propper, Izquierdo, Gross, Murray

Subs: Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Suttner, March, Ulloa, Locadia