Graham Potter was impressed by the way a resilient Everton came through the Brighton and Hove Albion storm during their 0-0 Premier League draw at the Amex last night, speaking to the Seagulls website.
Well, perhaps ‘storm’ is the wrong word. It was more of a heavy drizzle.
Either way, Brighton created more than enough chances to win the game on South Coast soil, with Neal Maupay, Lewis Dunk, Danny Welbeck and Jakub Moder all going close against Carlo Ancelotti’s injury-hit side.
But what Everton lacked going forward, they certainly made up for in defence.
The brilliant Ben Godfrey made a superb, goal-saving block to deny Welbeck in the second half, while Yerry Mina also threw his body on the line to save a point.
In truth, it was a classic showcase of the resilience Ancelotti has introduced at Goodison Park. A handy touch of catenaccio, if you will.
“They had four centre-backs and two full-backs on the pitch so defensively they were set up well,” Potter said after a result that leaves Brighton seven points above the relegation zone with a game in hand.
“We need to be better in the final third but credit to Everton for the way they defended. We had some good moments, they blocked and defended well when they had to.”
With Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin misplacing their goalscoring boots in recent games, a run of four games without a win has surely brought an end to Everton’s Champions League charge?
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