The correspondent for ECHO’s live blog expressed a glimmer of hope that Everton wouldn’t rue Beto’s miss. Unfortunately, they did. The match’s first two-thirds saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin running himself into the ground with relentless but largely thankless forward play. Chasing lost causes, trying to hold the ball up, and having next-to-nothing in chances to hit the target. It was only in the latter stages, when the game started to open up and fatigue set in, that his replacement showed a different kind of threat against Brighton & Hove Albion’s defense. The missed opportunities from the substitute were all the more frustrating, given his proven scoring record in Italy’s Serie A.
Calvert-Lewin’s current goal drought extended to 20 matches, coinciding with Beto’s 15. Both players are struggling, and the team failed to secure an important win. The concern was amplified by the fact that Everton’s rivals effectively increased the gap in points. Despite their struggles, however, Everton must focus on themselves and work towards getting back on track, leaving aside the frustration of seeing their position in the league.
The 6ft 5in centre-back, Jarrad Branthwaite, added a glimmer of hope with a fantastic left-footed finish that looked like it could win the game for Everton. The unexpected display of good touch for a big man, Branthwaite’s precise finish resembled that of a seasoned striker, which is particularly astonishing for a relatively young central defender. His goal-scoring form, with two goals in the last four matches, is heavily contrasting against the struggles of the main Everton forwards.
The team’s struggles from losing positions were highlighted, along with their inability to hold on to a lead, despite their seemingly solid defensive abilities. There was a sense of irony in the match, too, as Everton, initially mocked by Brighton’s home crowd for their “hoofing” clearances, produced the match’s piece of significant quality with Branthwaite’s goal, while Brighton, known for their stylish football, equalized through a late header from their own massive centre-half from a high cross.
The frustration and the focus on the present were highlighted, as Everton’s rival gained a solid win. They must focus on their own performance and work towards earning victories instead of fixating on their rivals’ positions. Despite the disappointment, the team needs to concentrate on their own strategies and improvements rather than getting caught up in comparisons and matches with their competitors.
