Everton’s last season at Goodison Park started in a dismal manner as Brighton’s youthful manager Fabian Hurzeler began his Premier League debut with an outstanding victory. Everton has called this location home since 1892, however as of the beginning of the upcoming season, they will relocate to a new stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock. Hurzeler, who took over as the Premier League’s youngest permanent manager at age 31, had his Brighton team in no mood to show sympathy for their opponents.
In an explosive first half, tackles were flying in as Joao Pedro struck the post with a low drive and Everton’s Jack Harrison had an early goal disallowed for offside. Kaoru Mitoma’s simple finish at the back post gave the visitors the lead after excellent work from rookie Yankuba Minteh, who was strongly linked to Everton before signing with Brighton this summer.
Referee Simon Hooper examined the incident on the pitchside monitor at the beginning of the second half, overturning the penalty award given to Everton despite Lewis Dunk appearing to have caught Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Feeling betrayed, Everton was further punished when Danny Welbeck finished beautifully from the edge of the box after Idrissa Gueye misplayed a pass in midfield, allowing the Seagulls to counterattack.
After Everton’s Ashley Young was sent off for dragging back Japan international Mitoma, Simon Adingra scored a third goal late on to give the home team a terribly humiliating first-leg loss.
SOURCE: dew360.net
