‘Absolute stinker’ – Everton get huge boost in survival push as they hit five past Brighton

Relegation-threatened Everton raced to a shock 3-0 lead against Europe-chasing Brighton, with goalkeeper Jason Steele having a moment to forget.

Everton are in dire need of a victory as they fight for survival in the Premier League, and whatever Sean Dyche fed them for breakfast has worked, with the Toffees dismantling their high-flying opponents on Monday afternoon.

Everton came flying out the blocks against Brighton

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What was Steele doing for their third?

They were 3-0 up after 35 minutes when Dwight McNeil’s low cross diverted off Steele’s leg, who stepped out.

The Brighton keeper made the decision to move out of his net, in anticipation of a cut-back pass.

But it never came, instead McNeil’s driving the ball straight at the goalkeeper, who could not react quick enough as it hit his leg and went into the net.

Speaking on BT Sport on co-commentary, Sutton was less than impressed with the 32-year-old.

He said: “An absolute stinker for Steele, it really is… a really poor piece of goalkeeping, an absolute shocker.”

The Toffees’ first two goals came through Abdoulaye Doucoure, who struck after just 34 seconds before volleying his and Everton’s second on 29 minutes.

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Everton will be out of the relegation zone if they go on to win

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McNeil caused Brighton all sorts of problems

Brighton have had a brilliant season under Robert De Zerbi but found themselves on the end of a thrashing on Monday, despite coming out with intent after the break.

De Zerbi made four changes at half-time with Solly March, Julio Ensico, Levi Colwill and Evan Ferguson coming on but Jordan Pickford made a string of truly world-class saves.

Against a side that is fighting for its life, the Seagulls have been blown out of the water, though they did manage to breach Pickford’s goal.

Alexis Mac Allister, strongly linked to Liverpool, did not know much of his goal when Kaoru Mitoma’s effort hit the post and hit the Argentine on the floor before going in.

But McNeil caused all sorts of carnage on the left-hand side, leading counter-attack after counter-attack, grabbing a deserved goal when he rounded Steele to tuck into an empty net.

He netted two, in the end, just before full-time as he charged up the pitch on his own before lashing past a ferocious drive into the roof of the net.

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McNeil put in an incredible performance

Everton put five past Brighton

Doucoure was also a benefactor, getting on the end of one of his crosses to double the scores to make it 2-0 after 29 minutes.

The Frenchman had already struck in the first minute in an electric start for the visitors.

Steele might have been at fault for the third goal of the contest but he pulled off a fine stop right at the end of the first-half.

McNeil, again, paraded forward on the counter before slipping in James Garner, just yards from goal.

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Doucoure scored twice in the first-half

But Steele, who has recently been picked ahead of Robert Sanchez by De Zerbi, arrived on the scene to snuff out the danger.

Going in at 4-0 would have been incredible for Everton, who are taking full advantage of their rivals suffering a heavy defeat earlier in the day.

Leicester were beaten 5-3 by Fulham at Craven Cottage, though that scoreline even flatters the Foxes, who were 4-0 down after 51 minutes.

The result puts Everton out of the relegation zone and into 16th, while also giving their goal difference a healthy boost.

They are now two points from the drop zone with three matches left and Dyche will be keen to advocate calmness and to keep going with Manchester City, Wolves and Bournemouth to come.

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