Prince Rupert's Tower
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Everton 3 Brighton 1: Blues get back on track

By Matt Townsend

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Richarlison of Everton celebrates with teammates after he scores his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on November 3, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Richarlison of Everton celebrates with teammates after he scores his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on November 3, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Everton returned to winning ways at Goodison Park yesterday as they defeated Brighton 3-1 to record a third straight home win.

With a run of games against the top three sides in the Premier League coming up, it was important Everton put last weekend’s frustrating defeat to Manchester United behind them and returned to winning ways.

And the Blues did just that as they scored three goals in overcoming a stubborn Brighton side.

As expected Brighton looked to be solid and defend in numbers and it took Everton a while to get to grips with the match although they were dominating the ball.

Manager Marco Silva stuck with the same eleven from last Sunday with Richarlison continuing up front.

The Blues took a deserved lead after 20 minutes as Richarlison returned to goal-scoring form. Gylfi Sigurdsson provided the assist from a quick counter-attack and the Brazilian slotted home superbly.

Brighton though were not perturbed and they were able to equalise just a few mintues later as Everton’s vulnerability at set-pieces once again reared its ugly head.

But in the second half the Blues upped their tempo and added two more goals, including a rare strike from Seamus Coleman, to seal the win and the points.

Richarlison’s brace was the highlight as he produced another dynamic performance up front. But Sigurdsson also had a fine match as he continues to cement his role and influence in the side. The Blues also had a 100% conversion rate with three shots on target and three goals.

And apart from that set-piece weakness, which Everton must address, the Blues defended solidly again too. Toffees fans even got to see summer signing Yerry Mina at last as he came on for a late cameo.

Having previously been questioning of Coleman’s recent form, he turned in a solid performance yesterday at right-back.

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Overall then a fine effort from the Toffees as they bounced back well from that Old Trafford defeat.

But in truth beating teams at home like Brighton from the lower reaches of the Premier League, is not the real test of Everton’s progress.

That will come and with away games against Chelsea and then the derby at Anfield and a trip to Manchester City all before  the Christmas holiday.

If the Toffees can get something from any of those games, then we will know that this developing team has the potential to be genuinely competitive.