Everton took a massive step toward avoiding relegation from the Premier League, as the Toffees trounced European hopefuls Brighton 5-1 at Amex Stadium on Monday.
Everton wasted no time whatsoever, as they took the lead after just 34 seconds. A midfield giveaway was quickly followed by a sensational turn into space by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, beating Lewis Dunk with ease before racing into the penalty area and crossing the ball to the far post. Abdoulaye Doucoure arrived at exactly the right time and swept the ball past Jason Steele for an unlikely, early 1-0 advantage.
Doucoure made it 2-0 just before the half-hour mark, when Dwight McNeil floated a cross from the left wing to the back post, where the Malian international smashed a right-footed volley and narrowly guided the ball around the post for goal no. 2.
Six minutes later, Everton scored again, making the first time they scored three goals in a Premier League game since beating Crystal Palace 3-0 on October 22.
McNeil made his way down the end line and tried to play the ball across the face of goal for Calvert-Lewin, but it hit Steele’s leg and went into his own net.
McNeil put the game to bed on 76 minutes, when he rounded Steele and walked the ball into an empty six-yard box and goal after Alex Iwobi went by two defenders on the left flank.
Brighton winger Solly March pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury as Iwobi raced away into the open field, leaving him unchallenged for nearly 30 yards.
Brighton got a consolation goal just three minutes later, as Kaoru Mitoma got on the end of a cross and put the ball off the front side of the post. Alexis Mac Allister, who had been upended by a strong challenge as the cross came in, laid on the ground as the ball ricocheted back into play, off of him and into goal.
The victory sends Everton (32 points) up to 16th in the PL table (up from 19th) with three games left to play.
The gap between Everton and 18th-place Leeds is two points. Brighton (55 points – 7th place), meanwhile, slipped one place since the weekend began, though they trail 6th-place Tottenham by just two points with two more games still to play.
