Brighton and Hove Albion enjoyed a fine start to the new Premier League season with a 3-0 victory against Everton at Goodison Park.
It was an impressive beginning for Albion's new head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who, aged 31, become the youngest ever permanent manager in Premier League history.
Hurzeler's agressive and front foot approach proved too much for Sean Dyche's Everton to deal with and even more so on 66 minutes as Ashley Young was dismissed for a foul on Kaoru Mitoma.
Albion silenced a lively Goodison Park crowd on 25 minutes as Mitoma scored from close range after excellent build up play from £30m new signing Yankuba Minteh. The former Newcastle man was however forced off just before halftime due to concussion protocols.
Everton had a penalty overturned after the break after VAR adjudged Lewis Dunk's challenge on home striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be fair. Probably the right decision.
Experienced striker Danny Welbeck then made Everton pay further on 56 minutes as he drove at the defence and calmly slotted home with his left foot. Substitute Simon Adingra added a late third, while Yasin Ayari had a fourth ruled by VAR for offside. Brighton fans left the stadium singing: “we are going to win the league.”
Here’s how the Albion players rated at Goodison Park...
9. Yankuba Minteh - 8
Provided an early glimpse of his blistering pace as he burst from the halfway line on 15 minutes. Great skill to tee-up Mitoma for the opener. Subbed for a concussion at the end of the first half. Photo: Carl Recine
10. Joao Pedro - 7
Cracked the inside of the post with a low effort from outside the box. Still working to full match fitness and will get better with a run of games. Replaced by Sarmiento on 82. Photo: Carl Recine
11. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion is fouled by Ashley Young of Everton results in a red card during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Goodison Park on August 17, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
He's off the mark for the season. Tidy finish from close to open the scoring from Minteh's cross. Looks back to best following his lower back injury last term and always a threat down the left. Young was sent off for hauling him down Photo: Jan Kruger
12. Danny Welbeck - 8
Linked well with Joao Pedro in the early stages. Made it 2-0 after the break with a classy left footed finish. Still has a huge role to play alongside the new signings Photo: Carl Recine