Everton will come away from yesterday’s match with Brighton and Hove Albion feeling like they have dropped two points, given the manner of the visitor’s equaliser and the fact they led for so long.
Having scored so early, with Vitaliy Mykolenko’s right-footed effort deflecting past the goalkeeper after just seven minutes, it really felt like they might leave with all three points as Roberto De Zerbi’s side continued to push and probe with no success.
It always felt like it would have to be a stunner or a huge fluke for the Seagulls to break down Sean Dyche’s resolute outfit, and in the end, it was the latter, scored in cruel fashion.
As Kaoru Mitoma danced past his man, as he did all afternoon, the Japan international saw his left-footed cross strike Ashley Young‘s leg. Instead of firing out for a corner, the ball would skim off his thigh and loop goalbound.
Jordan Pickford was caught completely off guard, and even at full stretch the 29-year-old could not reach it.
And yet, despite that moment capping off a poor afternoon for Young, it was Dyche who truly deserves to be lambasted for his conduct which arguably cost them the win.
What did Sean Dyche do wrong vs Brighton?
Given the hosts were happy to surrender possession, it seemed like a game plan executed to perfection as the match went on. After all, the clash would finish with Everton having just 20% of the ball, yet recording more shots (10 v 7) and more shots on target (4 v 2), via Sofascore.
However, whilst remaining compact and hard to break down seems easy on paper, it makes for a tiring task for those in the midfield and up front.
It is a thankless task to chase after every lost ball only to be passed around with ease, but that was the role the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison and Idrissa Gana Gueye had to play.
As the game went on though, it took its toll, and the latter in particular was visibly exhausted in the engine room, trundling around with 15 minutes to go.
Given the Senegal international’s last start came five weeks ago, it was harsh of Dyche to persist with the recently recovered 34-year-old when there were substitutions to be made.
Even if they were not like-for-like, just having bodies who could have run that little bit further could have proved pivotal in perhaps closing down the midfielder who sprayed the key pass out to Mitoma, or even doubling up on the winger with a fresh full-back.
Despite that, he would wait until the 90th minute to make a change, only opting for Beto and Nathan Patterson.
Whilst some might rush to lambast Young for another tough outing, it was his manager who truly surrendered the three points yesterday with his stubborn inability to look to the bench.
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