Royal Blue Mersey - Everton vs Brighton: Premier League Matchday 30It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2018-03-11T10:00:01+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/168912852018-03-11T10:00:01+00:002018-03-11T10:00:01+00:00Everton 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 0: Toffees regain form in bounce back victory
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<img alt="Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FAwIu6xmm6YxYD2RbxKfCIR_fc0=/0x0:3408x2272/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58983715/930093686.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Three thoughts from Everton’s win yesterday</p> <h1 id="zvg2SK">
<a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s best attacking line-up</h1>
<p id="Yy2rP8">There have been flashes of what a full strength Everton attack could look like over the last few weeks. As players begin to come back from injury and return to full fitness, there has been hope that <span>Sam Allardyce</span> can finally put out an entertaining line up that can put pressure on opposing defenses. </p>
<p id="ssfdE5">One player who was very impressive was Yannick Bolasie, who appears to be at full health and is ready to be the x-factor that Everton have needed in the attacking third. It was refreshing to see a player who is so comfortable with the ball keep the attack from growing stagnant. Many of Everton’s attackers are competent dribblers, but Bolasie has that extra skill and creativity to keep the ball away from defenders. </p>
<p id="gmflIi">The midfield trio of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Tom Davies and <span>Wayne Rooney</span> were also at their best today. This group seemed to have figured out a way to give each other space and they look to be a formidable group. While they may not be the most sound defensively, they provide so many options in attack that they will be difficult for opposing teams to plan against. </p>
<h1 id="FlcWGA">Full strength at full back</h1>
<p id="L6ghms">Everton received a huge boost against Brighton when <span>Leighton Baines</span> and <span>Seamus Coleman</span> were announced in the starting line up. Both players have had their fair share of injury issues and this match showed what both of them can bring to the side. </p>
<p id="aXEbYE">Without Baines and Coleman in the line up, Everton’s ability to attack the flanks is drastically reduced. Cuco Martina and Mason Holgate are decent bench players, but they do not provide the versatility and skill that Everton’s preferred full back duo provide. Many times this season, Everton were unable to effectively overlap on both sides of the pitch, but Baines and Coleman were given full reign to press forward. Baines’ superb movement and passing allowed Everton to put this match away on Cenk Tosun’s beautiful top corner strike. </p>
<p id="5NU7dj">While Baines and Coleman still have a little way to go to get back to full fitness, this match proved that the rest of the season could look much better with them on the field.</p>
<div id="G7aUwZ"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.theplatform.com/p/BxmELC/nbcsports/embed/select/media/yJ_ciKY3aP4K?autoPlay=false" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<h1 id="NUKHPz">Playing for the full 90 minutes</h1>
<p id="L9jjEC">This win was one of the rare instances where this Everton team actually put together a good performance for the full 90 minutes. Throughout this season Everton have either played well in one half or no half. </p>
<p id="Y1HtWG">Everton’s struggles in the first half this season are no secret. Even at home they have often struggled to apply pressure early and have often suffered because of it. While they didn’t score in the first half, the attack looked sharp, kept possession well and was consistency threatening the Brighton defense. </p>
<p id="t3hO3B">The defense even looked solid for most of the match, though they did let Brighton claw their way back in the second half and threaten to tie up the match. In no way am I advocating for another season of Sam Allardyce, but he and his back room staff put together a solid game plan and the players executed it well. </p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/11/17104332/everton-brighton-2-0-match-recap-allardyce-attacking-lineup-rooney-davies-klaassen-baines-colemanmralbaugh2018-03-10T18:30:02+00:002018-03-10T18:30:02+00:00Allardyce praises duo after Brighton win
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<img alt="Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CBAcLAQLaxVB75CbxdlnS0gxT7U=/0x0:1953x1302/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58980223/930100936.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Toffees boss was rewarded for naming an attacking line-up with a much-needed victory</p> <p id="sCV2b6">Relieved <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> boss <span>Sam Allardyce</span> praised the impact of <span>Wayne Rooney</span> and Cenk Tosun following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton at Goodison Park.</p>
<p id="pwrmhv">After near mutiny at Turf Moor last weekend, Toffees supporters were sent home happy after a much-improved display to end a run of back-to-back defeats.</p>
<aside id="DQeSZN"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton 2-0 Brighton: Relief","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104018/everton-brighton-score-recap-result-reaction-goals-highlights"},{"title":"Everton vs Brighton: Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104014/everton-brighton-man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-ratings-recap"}]}'></div></aside><p id="l6quFl">Whether it’s enough to end speculation about Allardyce’s future remains to be seen. But in the short-term it at least eases any lingering fears of relegation.</p>
<p id="MMATac">The victory puts Everton ninth on 37 points, 10 points clear of the bottom three.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | Here's the manager's reaction to today's 2-0 win...<br><br>Confirms <a href="https://twitter.com/IGanaGueye?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IGanaGueye</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SchneiderlinMo4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SchneiderlinMo4</a> missed out through illness. Adds <a href="https://twitter.com/theowalcott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theowalcott</a> was subbed off with cramp - 'should be okay'. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFCmatchday?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFCmatchday</a> <a href="https://t.co/RJzLHrcl1P">pic.twitter.com/RJzLHrcl1P</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/972526453702254595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="uZuAiE">With Idrissa Gueye and <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> absent, Allardyce played Rooney alongside Tom Davies in midfield.</p>
<p id="JWYnof">Speaking after the game, the Everton manager singled out for the former England captain for praise, despite his late missed penalty.</p>
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<p id="KQ8nrl">“What a masterful job he did for me today. His passes were the reason why we were so fluent. </p>
<p id="HDHDsh">The only thing that let us down in the first half our quality in front of goal, that improved in the second half.</p>
<p id="aLnN7e">“While all of the players played well , I thought Wayne mastered that role today.”</p>
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<p id="dglYU5">After Gaetan Bong put through his own net for the opener, Tosun made it 2-0 with a fine finish in off the bar for his second goal in as many matches.</p>
<aside id="7GERdk"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"WATCH: Bong own goal puts Everton ahead","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104214/watch-video-everton-brighton-2-0-highlights-bong-own-goal-walcott-bolasie-cross"},{"title":"WATCH: Tosun scores to put Everton up 2-0 against Brighton","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104252/watch-video-everton-brighton-2-0-highlights-cenk-tosun-goal-second-in-two-games-turkey-striker"}]}'></div></aside><p id="QMH1hh">After a difficult start to life on Merseyside, the Turkish international seems to be settling into life at Goodison Park.</p>
<p id="P2N2VW">Allardyce is hopeful Tosun can now go on a goalscoring run through to the end of the season.</p>
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<p id="txYSVv">”The second goal is why we brought Cenk into the club. We saw the type of finish he produced at the right time for us.</p>
<p id="eEFBmF"> “I think he needed a bit of time. I think the Dubai trip was massive for him in getting to know the players and what it’s like to play in the Premier League.</p>
<p id="HYmEKG">Hopefully he will continue where he left off today and last week which is to score goals when he plays.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="5n6mbL">Allardyce confirmed that both Gueye and Schneiderlin missed the game through illness. </p>
<p id="MXsESY">He also allayed fears over the fitness over <span>Theo Walcott</span>, revealing that the forward was forced off through cramp rather than injury.</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104334/everton-2-0-brighton-premier-league-sam-allardyce-wayne-rooney-cenk-tosunTom Mallows2018-03-10T17:08:40+00:002018-03-10T17:08:40+00:00WATCH: Tosun scores to put Everton up 2-0 against Brighton
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<img alt="Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CBGSCDyb12RIOiVt1bzZcLcO4-8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58979645/930100672.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cenk seals the three points for the Blues at home</p> <p id="eqP2ll">That should be the three points! Cenk Tosun doubled <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s advantage against visitors <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/brighton-hove-albion">Brighton & Hove Albion</a> with just over fifteen minutes to play. Patient build-up play again, ended up with a <span>Wayne Rooney</span> - Gylfi Sigurdsson - <span>Leighton Baines</span> sequence of passes and the left back squared for Tosun, and he hammered his shot top corner and in off the underside of the bar. It was hit very well and the goalie had no chance at all. </p>
<p id="YZMkDz">2-0 Everton, and that should be that. </p>
<div id="k72x0W"><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.327%;"><iframe src="https://streamja.com/embed/qA0" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen="" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;"></iframe></div></div>
<aside id="tDGzFS"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton 2-0 Brighton: Relief","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104018/everton-brighton-score-recap-result-reaction-goals-highlights"},{"title":"Everton vs Brighton: Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104014/everton-brighton-man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-ratings-recap"}]}'></div></aside><div id="k6zWnV"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://player.theplatform.com/p/BxmELC/nbcsports_embed/embed/select/media/p2VrhAVFH7RW?autoPlay=false" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="ErUtSf">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.</p>
<h1 id="AhKTsY">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="YuqXMK"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Pickford; Baines, Jagielka, Keane, Coleman; Davies, Rooney; Bolasie, Sigurdsson, Walcott; Tosun</p>
<p id="fKYfDg"><strong>Subs:</strong> Robles, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5">Brighton & Hove Albion</h3>
<p id="8vQ3XZ"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Ryan, Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Kayal, Propper, Izquierdo, Gross, Murray</p>
<p id="Vx480v"><strong>Subs: </strong>Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Suttner, March, Ulloa, Locadia</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104252/watch-video-everton-brighton-2-0-highlights-cenk-tosun-goal-second-in-two-games-turkey-strikerCalvin2018-03-10T17:00:05+00:002018-03-10T17:00:05+00:00Everton vs Brighton: Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll
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<img alt="Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vWOGslZYxllz2bxsGvREQaxtmpI=/68x0:2996x1952/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58979223/930074704.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Grade the Everton players and manager on their performance today</p> <h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a></h3>
<p id="YuqXMK"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Pickford; Baines, Jagielka, Keane, Coleman; Davies, Rooney; Bolasie, Sigurdsson, Walcott; Tosun</p>
<p id="fKYfDg"><strong>Subs:</strong> Robles, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/brighton-hove-albion">Brighton & Hove Albion</a></h3>
<p id="8vQ3XZ"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Ryan, Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Kayal, Propper, Izquierdo, Gross, Murray</p>
<p id="L9xSws"><strong>Subs: </strong>Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Suttner, March, Ulloa, Locadia</p>
<h1 id="5o1bUr">Final Verdict</h1>
<p id="EPNGM9"><span>Sam Allardyce</span> named the attacking lineup at home that fans have been clamoring for all season long, more out of necessity than anything with Idrissa Gueye injured. And for the first half hour it looked great with <span>Wayne Rooney</span> as a defensive midfield pivot with Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson running around in front of him. </p>
<p id="3k8HjL">The Blues dominated possession and created plenty of half-chances but a well-drilled Brighton side kept them at bay and it was 0-0 at the half despite the hosts controlling the game. </p>
<p id="5g29g5">Just when the natives were getting restless near the hour mark, Yannick Bolasie cut inside and his cross to the far post was met by <span>Theo Walcott</span> and Gatean Bong, and it went off the defender’s shin to give Everton the lead. </p>
<p id="IfJQd8">With the Blues in the ascendancy a neat sequence of passes from the Rooney-Siggy-Baines trio created an opening for Cenk Tosun, and he hammered his shot top corner and in off the underside of the bar.</p>
<p id="M92bWr">There was even enough time for Rooney to miss a penalty that DOminic Calvert-Lewin won off former Blue Shane Duffy, but it didn’t matter in the end. </p>
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<p id="FCS5f7">Who was your Man of the Match? Vote on the player grades here on how they did. </p>
<p id="Qm0i1Q"><em>If this poll is not showing up on your screen, please </em><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/Z53mEcsbvhigIU4Y2"><em>click here</em></a><em> to go and grade the players - we apologize for the inconvenience.</em></p>
<div id="1Xo3qE"><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG2e-ZYUoyFT8lPbebc5IolRSddrG9DrP_nDh15cOiEluxaA/viewform?embedded=true" width="100%" height="800" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104014/everton-brighton-man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-ratings-recapCalvin2018-03-10T17:00:02+00:002018-03-10T17:00:02+00:00WATCH: Bong own goal puts Everton ahead
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<img alt="Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/V_RBnd7cW9QTsGEu1hypE5z_NFU=/0x0:2759x1839/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58979585/930081432.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Everton take the lead against Brighton at Goodison</p> <p id="RT5Bnp"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> finally got their well-deserved lead on the hour mark after dominating against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/brighton-hove-albion">Brighton & Hove Albion</a>. Yannick Bolasie cut in from the left with intent and floated in a cross to the far post. <span>Theo Walcott</span> rushed in pressuring Gaetan Bong and the ball went in for an own goal off the defender’s shin. </p>
<p id="Az6XfL">Doesn’t matter how they go in, they’re all good and Everton lead 1-0. </p>
<div id="DGQMcT"><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.327%;"><iframe src="https://streamja.com/embed/K1p" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen="" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;"></iframe></div></div>
<aside id="D0Y20J"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton 2-0 Brighton: Relief","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104018/everton-brighton-score-recap-result-reaction-goals-highlights"},{"title":"Everton vs Brighton: Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104014/everton-brighton-man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-ratings-recap"}]}'></div></aside><p id="k6zWnV">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. </p>
<h1 id="AhKTsY">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="YuqXMK"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Pickford; Baines, Jagielka, Keane, Coleman; Davies, Rooney; Bolasie, Sigurdsson, Walcott; Tosun</p>
<p id="fKYfDg"><strong>Subs:</strong> Robles, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5">Brighton & Hove Albion</h3>
<p id="8vQ3XZ"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Ryan, Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Kayal, Propper, Izquierdo, Gross, Murray</p>
<p id="VIXxpe"><strong>Subs: </strong>Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Suttner, March, Ulloa, Locadia</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104214/watch-video-everton-brighton-2-0-highlights-bong-own-goal-walcott-bolasie-crossCalvin2018-03-10T16:54:17+00:002018-03-10T16:54:17+00:00Everton 2-0 Brighton: Relief
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<img alt="Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MtvqsSiyTgLQUH2n3k8Sp_peucs=/0x0:3357x2238/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58979543/930093644.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The sterling home form continues. </p> <p id="ruP2oG">Multiple goals? A sensible lineup? A clean sheet? Did...did I just <em>have fun</em> watching an <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> match in 2018? Surely not, right? </p>
<p id="fDQlcb">A Gaetan Bong own goal and a Cenk Tosun howitzer saw Everton ease past Brighton and Goodison Park, and it was a well-earned victory - one of the Blues’ best performances of the season, to the point that Davy Klaassen even got to play. </p>
<ul>
<li id="YnerCG">For perhaps the first time all season, an Everton manager selected what is arguably the first choice back four and first choice front four. Gylfi Sigurdsson was afforded time in his natural position, Yannick Bolasie was restored to the side, and both <span>Phil Jagielka</span> and <span>Leighton Baines</span> returned. Refreshing. </li>
<li id="uIWdHX">With Baines and Bolasie fit and firing, the Blues had a functioning left side for the first time in ages. For once, an attack didn’t die when it went in that direction (sorry, Cuco), and it meant that <span>Seamus Coleman</span> and <span>Theo Walcott</span> were freed up down the right given the newfound balance in attack.</li>
<li id="XJGJKZ">Sure enough, it was a left-sided player who created Everton’s well-earned goal. Yannick Bolasie was afforded time and space to whip in a ball which found Theo Walcott and/or Gaetan Bong - whichever you prefer. </li>
<li id="GWMcFv">I don’t <em>think </em>a two man midfield of <span>Wayne Rooney</span> and Tom Davies would work against a more talented side, but at home against Brighton, it was pretty effective, particularly in possession. Rooney may be old and slow, but he’ll still pick out a pass or two if you give him that much time.</li>
<li id="RA6NYa">Two straight starts, two straight goals for our main man Cenk Tosun - with this one even better than last week’s. Leighton Baines provided some magic in the box, and Tosun <em>hammered </em>a shot past Maty Ryan from the top of the area. Guess the Turkish striker likes the weather after all. </li>
<li id="atLIGM">
<span>Anthony Knockaert</span> was sent off late in the match, and will have earned every bit of his three game suspension. Leighton Baines was standing out of bounds, and Knockaert slid in with two feet and his studs showing, shin high. The “challenge” incensed Seamus Coleman - who will have acutely known the danger - and the Irishman followed Knockaert nearly down the tunnel. Disgrace from the Brighton winger. </li>
<li id="IdPGop">Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned a late penalty, which Wayne Rooney promptly had saved. It was a good stop by the Brighton ‘keeper, but Everton’s insistence on Rooney taking the spot kicks when Leighton Baines and Gylfi Sigurdsson have such excellent career records on penalty duty is baffling. </li>
</ul>
<p id="pSLczv">Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines made it the full 90 minutes. Cenk Tosun was excellent. Yannick Bolasie was fairly effective. Frankly, only the knock to Theo Walcott can sully what was otherwise an excellent day at Goodison Park. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17104018/everton-brighton-score-recap-result-reaction-goals-highlightsevertonchris2018-03-10T14:05:54+00:002018-03-10T14:05:54+00:00Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion: How To Watch
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<img alt="Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5ERk9DMEz_FrQurYxPndWw731ac=/0x0:3915x2610/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58954229/861596446.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Seagulls are flying lately, while the Toffees are in a bind.</p> <p id="OfGLRB"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> could not possibly be catching <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/brighton-hove-albion">Brighton & Hove Albion</a> at a worse time. The Seagulls have not lost a game in any competition since January 20th against <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>. Since then, they have taken 11 points from five Premier League games and advanced to the quarterfinals of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a>. </p>
<p id="ElHRjl">On the other hand, Everton are circling the drain for what seems like the millionth time this season. Their last win came against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace">Crystal Palace</a> in mid-February. Since then, they have lost to Watford and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a>. With no other competitions to play for, the Premier League is the club’s only focus. It’s not going great.</p>
<p id="gTYr0R">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. Today, they meet again...</p>
<div id="jGrxBb"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ygYNNVt6FtA?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<h1 id="t9lUce">Match Details</h1>
<p id="Tn0k5V"><strong>Date and start time:</strong> Saturday, March 10th at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m ET / 5 p.m. BST</p>
<p id="jLb1aE"><strong>Stadium:</strong> Goodison Park, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England</a></p>
<p id="sd4UgU"><strong>Capacity: </strong>39,572</p>
<p id="jWmOa0"><strong>Weather: </strong>52°F/11°C, cloudy, 16% chance of precipitation, 9 mph winds</p>
<h1 id="NylbZy">How to Watch/Listen</h1>
<p id="ZqDVb5"><strong>TV:</strong> none - <em>United States</em><em>; </em>none <em>- </em> <em>United Kingdom</em></p>
<p id="mGBAfE"><strong>Radio: </strong>Everton Match Centre, TalkSport 2 Radio World</p>
<p id="41ULCC"><strong>Live stream:</strong> NBC Sports Gold</p>
<p id="1tPHX2"><strong>Gamethread:</strong> Comments section below starting one hour before game time</p>
<p id="eB2O1I"><a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2503018/everton-vs-brighton-hove-albion/">Information from LiveSoccerTV.com</a></p>
<h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="YuqXMK"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Pickford; Baines, Jagielka, Keane, Coleman; Davies, Rooney; Bolasie, Sigurdsson, Walcott; Tosun</p>
<p id="fKYfDg"><strong>Subs:</strong> Robles, Martina, Niasse, Klaassen, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5">Brighton & Hove Albion</h3>
<p id="8vQ3XZ"><strong>Starting X</strong><strong>I:</strong> Ryan, Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Kayal, Propper, Izquierdo, Gross, Murray</p>
<p id="G6UOkl"><strong>Subs: </strong>Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Suttner, March, Ulloa, Locadia</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17096216/everton-brighton-hove-albion-lineups-tv-schedule-live-stream-how-to-watch-online-premier-league-2018_TyYoung2018-03-10T05:00:01+00:002018-03-10T05:00:01+00:00Can returning Everton trio make defensive impact?
<figure>
<img alt="Manchester City v Everton - Capital One Cup Semi Final: Second Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cwWLikvwjqP17qj7n-PajnaTGZQ=/8x0:4928x3280/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58970423/507094638.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who’s in and who’s out for today’s game at Goodison</p> <p id="OggdrS"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> are finally getting fit again which is great news because defensive reinforcements are desperately needed after the last few underwhelming performances by the backline. </p>
<p id="xVuOug"><span>Ashley Williams</span> is mercifully not going to be selected this weekend after he showed how incredibly daft he can be last weekend in the loss at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a>, making multiple defensive errors followed by making his namesake <span>Ashley Barnes</span> the target of his errant elbow not once but twice. He seemed almost relieved when he was sent off, but not as much as the Blues watching the game who will be glad to see the back of the Wales captain at the end of this season. </p>
<p id="Ckv5rV"><span>Phil Jagielka</span> and Ramiro Funes Mori are finally in contention for selection while <span>Leighton Baines</span> was on the bench last weekend and could start today. </p>
<p id="fgLslK"><span>Maarten Stekelenburg</span> is recovering from groin surgery and could be available at the end of the month, while both <span>Eliaquim Mangala</span> and <span>James McCarthy</span> are out with long-term injuries. </p>
<aside id="vXoFRI"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Brighton at Everton: Projected XI","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/9/17096102/everton-lineup-leaked-brighton-hove-albion-starting-11-projected-injury-report-latest-news"},{"title":"There is no issue between two of Everton’s best players","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/9/17093764/everton-issue-jordan-pickford-idrissa-gueye-gana-jamie-carragher-sky-sam-allardyce-comments"}]}'></div></aside><p id="WM24Kf">For visitors <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/football-league-championship/teams/brighton-hove-albion">Brighton & Hove Albion</a>, defender Ezequiel Schelotto left the game last weekend with an injury but should be back for the Everton game. Forward Jiří Skalák is a doubt for this game.</p>
<p id="XVF5hR"><span>Steve Sidwell</span> remains their only player still out, and is yet to play a game this season following back and ankle injuries. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/3/10/17100906/everton-starting-lineup-latest-injury-news-jagielka-funes-mori-baines-brighton-schelottoCalvin