)
The Toffees profited from swift and incisive counter-attacks to secure three points, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil both scoring braces alongside an own goal from Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Everton's energy and tactical discipline paid off with a 5-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Monday, moving them out of the relegation zone.
Despite the win, manager Sean Dyche remains cautious, saying it's just another step in their battle to avoid relegation this season.
The Toffees profited from swift and incisive counter-attacks to secure three points, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil both scoring braces alongside an own goal from Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Reflecting on the match, Dyche told BBC, "To score five goals with 23 percent of the possession is a reflection of how they allowed Brighton the ball, but were lethal once they won it off their hosts.”
“They play a particular way with two boxes in midfield. I said to the lads it is about focus. Our tactical shape has been pretty good since I've come in here.”
“But it's about focus when they change their tune and try and pop it around the corner and play neat and tidy,” he explained.
But equally it's not just about shadow play, you've got to go and break it up and first half we did that so many times.”
“Second half they had a good spell but we calmed that down and I thought we saw the game through very well," Dyche added.
Everton drew 2-2 at Leicester City in their previous game and created more than enough chances to win, and Dyche believes they gained confidence from that result.
"A lot of people thought we were good at Leicester; we were very good and conceded soft goals.”
“Tonight, we got paid back for that performance because the energy was there, the tactical performance, but also the quality,” Dyche said.
“This is just another step as I said when we beat Arsenal, it's just one step," Dyche said. "We'll see what happens over the next few games. The players have delivered. They deserve a lot of credit."
The Toffees are now two points clear of the relegation zone with a home game against Manchester City to come on Sunday.
After that, they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers and host Bournemouth in their final game of the season. Despite the upcoming matches, Dyche remains cautious and takes it one game at a time.
The victory over Brighton was an important step towards avoiding relegation for Everton, but with three matches remaining, the Toffees still have work to do.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)