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Everton player ratings: two score 8/10 and plenty of 7/10s in Brighton draw - gallery

Will Rooney
Updated ·4-min read
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Vitaliy Mykolenko of Everton celebrates with teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on November 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Vitaliy Mykolenko of Everton celebrates with teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on November 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Everton stretched their unbeaten streak to three matches as they earned a 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.

An unfortunate Ashley Young own goal in the closing stages denied the Toffees a sixth victory in eight games, however, after Vitalii Mykolenko’s early opener.

Brighton monopolised possession in the first half yet it was Everton who carried by far the greater attacking threat. In the third minute, an Abdoulaye Doucoure volley was well saved by Seagulls keeper Bart Verbruggen.

Barely tested in the first half bar repelling a Mitoma cross, although got off his line alertly several times. Saved Dunk’s free-kick well in the second period and unlucky to finally be beaten by Young’s deflection,
Barely tested in the first half bar repelling a Mitoma cross, although got off his line alertly several times. Saved Dunk’s free-kick well in the second period and unlucky to finally be beaten by Young’s deflection,

But four minutes later, the Blues found the breakthrough. Mykolenko forayed into the Brighton box and while his first effort was thwarted by Verbruggenn, the rebound fell kindly for the Ukraine international to finish for his second goal for the club, n

Brighton thought they’d equalised on 14 minutes when Lewis Dunk was left unmarked from a Pascal Gross free-kick and thundered home a volley via the inside of the crossbar. However, the visiting captain was ruled offside following a VAR check.

Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal was scarcely tested for the remainder of the opening period, with James Garner flying a free-kick over the bar and Dominic Calvert-Lewin dragging wide for Sean Dyche’s side.

Pickford was finally forced into a save eight minutes into the second half when he pushed Dunk’s free-kick around the post. Brighton started to see more joy in terms of goalscoring opportunities although Gross blazed over when the ball was cut back from the byline in the 69th minute before substitute Joao Pedro saw an effort well blocked by James Tarkowski.

Gave Mitoma little joy throughout the encounter and so unlucky the deflection from the Japan international’s cross ended up in his own goal. Subbed in the 90th minute.
Gave Mitoma little joy throughout the encounter and so unlucky the deflection from the Japan international’s cross ended up in his own goal. Subbed in the 90th minute.

Everton then fired a warning shot of their own as Dwight McNeil’s shot from the edge of the box flashed narrowly wide. Then with nine minutes remaining, Doucoure surged into the Brighton box and crossed for Calvert-Lewin, but he just couldn’t get enough purchase on his effort.

And with six minutes remaining, the resolute Blues were finally breached - and rather unfortunately. Young managed to block Kaoru Mitoma’s cross but the ball skewed over Pickford and into the Everton net.

That set up an exciting finish but neither side could find a winner. While the Blues may be frustrated not to have picked up another win, it was further evidence that a relegation battle can be avoided this season. Here’s how we rated the Everton players.

Won plenty of his duels in the first half and one foray with the ball excited the crowd in the first half. Excellent again after the break, with a big block from Pedro the highlight. Solid.
Won plenty of his duels in the first half and one foray with the ball excited the crowd in the first half. Excellent again after the break, with a big block from Pedro the highlight. Solid.
Came up with the key moment in the first half, showing composure after missing the first chance. Sound defensively throughout and kept Adingra at bay throughout.
Came up with the key moment in the first half, showing composure after missing the first chance. Sound defensively throughout and kept Adingra at bay throughout.
Persistently looked to pilfer Brighton of possession in the first half. Resolute in the second period but was booked for tripping Fati.
Persistently looked to pilfer Brighton of possession in the first half. Resolute in the second period but was booked for tripping Fati.
Worked tirelessly throughout, getting up and down the flank without having too much of an attacking impact.
Worked tirelessly throughout, getting up and down the flank without having too much of an attacking impact.
Kept his discpline in the engine room and made one outstanding tackle on the edge of is own box in the first half.
Kept his discpline in the engine room and made one outstanding tackle on the edge of is own box in the first half.
Showed his experience in the first half and took one of the team when collecting a booking. Continued with energy in the second period.
Showed his experience in the first half and took one of the team when collecting a booking. Continued with energy in the second period.
Whipped in the cross for Doucoure’s early cross, while it was his centre that Brighton only partially blocked to slip in Mykolenko. Flashed an effort not to far wide in the second period.
Whipped in the cross for Doucoure’s early cross, while it was his centre that Brighton only partially blocked to slip in Mykolenko. Flashed an effort not to far wide in the second period.
Pressing put Brighton under intense pressure in the first half and was unlucky not to have opened the scoring. Booked in the second half but almost engineered a second for Everton when he darted into the Brighton box although just couldn’t find Calvert-Lewin.
Pressing put Brighton under intense pressure in the first half and was unlucky not to have opened the scoring. Booked in the second half but almost engineered a second for Everton when he darted into the Brighton box although just couldn’t find Calvert-Lewin.
Proved such a handful for Brighton in the first half on the counter, winning a free-kick around 25 yards out then dragging an effort wide of his own. Continued to battle away in the second half and nearly doubled the lead. Subbed in the 90th minute,
Proved such a handful for Brighton in the first half on the counter, winning a free-kick around 25 yards out then dragging an effort wide of his own. Continued to battle away in the second half and nearly doubled the lead. Subbed in the 90th minute,
Sub 1 - Beto - N/A
Sub 1 - Beto - N/A
Sub 2 - Nathan Patterson - N/A
Sub 2 - Nathan Patterson - N/A