(Football news) Everton were thrashed 4-1 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion as they scored three goals in the first five second-half minutes. The result meant that it left the Merseyside club hovering above the relegation zone after another horrendous display. The result is likely to put immense pressure on manager Frank Lampard, who saw his side secure an impressive 1-1 draw with Manchester City on New Year’s Eve but this match they completely got capitulated in the second half at Goodison Park against Brighton.
Brighton’s teenager Irish striker Evan Ferguson was rewarded with his first league start after coming off the bench to score against Arsenal he gave the visitors the lead when he blasted home a first-time shot in the second half. Solly March quickly waltzed across the Everton defence before firing home in the second goal in the 54th minute. Pascal Gross netted their fourth with a lovely chipped finish in the 57th minute. Demarai Gray scored from the spot after stoppage time. The result leaves Everton in 16th place on 15 points after 18 games, a point above the drop zone and only three ahead of Southampton as Brighton are up to eighth on 27 points.
“Great result, obviously, bouncing back from last week [losing to Arsenal], it was probably the best we could ask for,” Brighton goalscorer Ferguson said. “We came in at half-time and knew we could do better and knew we had them. We came and tried to give our best. Luckily the goals came through.”
Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his fine goal scoring record as his first-half strike earned them a 1-0 win against Leicester City, sending Marco Silva’s side to seventh in the Premier League. Fulham got themselves in front in the 17th minute when the Serbian striker Mitrovic powered home his 11th league goal of the season after being picked out by Willian. Leicester had several chances in the second half to snatch a point but goalkeeper Bernd Leno made some brilliant saves.
Belgium international Youri Tielemans was unlucky to see a shot come out off the crossbar. Despite late Leicester pressure, Fulham held on to move above Brentford and up to seventh position, while a third successive loss for Leicester left them 13th, three points above the relegation zone. Fulham are continuing to defy the odds in their first season back in the Premier League as Mitrovic’s goals record is proving crucial, just as they did in the Championship last season.
“It’s amazing,” Mitrovic said after the match. “When you get promoted the first target is to stay up. I feel we can do a little bit more. We don’t think ahead. We stay with both feet on the ground. We’ll see what happens at the end. I have five-goal targets. I want to try to reach 15 first and then we’ll see.”
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