Match Preview – Everton v Brighton
Everton – the club
Everton were meant to be this seasons surprise not-so-surprise-package. Having spent £135.8m in the summer and coming off an impressive 2016-17 in which they finished seventh, Ronald Koeman’s side looked like they had all the tools to smash through the glass ceiling into the top six. Turns out they actually only had one of those inflatable hammers that gypsies give away at the funfair. By the end of October the Toffees were in a relegation battle, Koeman was gone and Big Sam Allardyce was summoned to put down his pint of wine and rescue them from trouble. He’s done that to a certain degree and they’ll start this game above the Albion in the table but the locals aren’t too impressed by the appointment and Everton have been on a pretty poor run of form recently. Given how tight it still is from ninth down, they aren’t entirely out of trouble yet either.
Everton – the place
Everton herald from the city of Liverpool which gave the world the Beatles and Cilla Black. During the Industrial Revolution, it grew as major port thanks to its position on the River Mersey. It was the home to some major shipping firms including both Cunard and White Star Line, which of course means it was the port of registration of the Titanic, starting a long association between the city and victim hood.
Everton – the people
Although less famous then their cross city rivals Everton, Liverpool do have their fair share of celebrity fans. For reasons I’m not entirely sure of, hard men actors Sylvester Stalone and Dolph Lundgren both support the Toffees and they were even owned by a former celebrity in Bill Kenwright who swapped acting in Coronation Street for the boardroom. This is a move you don’t see enough of but we’d love the Albion to embrace it if the day ever comes when Tony Bloom decides to stand down as chairman with either Max Branning or Ian Beale taking over. Anybody who is thinking of taking their hamster to the game may also want to reconsider with Freddie Starr being a bluenose.
A good WeAreBrighton.com memory of Everton away
This is our first visit to Everton since 1982 so we’ve never actually been to Goodison Park. The closest we’ve got was parking in the Goodison Park car park for the Liverpool FA Cup tie in 2012. In a strange turn of events, one member of the WeAreBrighton.com Mobile had made the journey straight from a Saturday night out and therefore didn’t have a coat. Thankfully, the Everton club shop was open so he was able to fork out £50 on an Everton branded managers jacket to wear into Anfield.
A bad WeAreBrighton.com memory of Everton away
Looking forward to adding to this one after a 3-0 defeat inspired by Palace basted Yannick Bolasie.
Played for both
One of Micky Adam’s many catastrophic signings was Kevin McLeod and he began his career at Goodison Park, playing five times in the first team before moving onto Queens Park Rangers, Swansea City, Colchester United, the Albion, Wycombe Wanderers and presenting Grand Designs.
Dangermen
Remarkably given all the money Everton spent in the summer, they didn’t think to replace Romelu Lukaku who was their one and only goalscorer. Former England captain Wayne Rooney will probably be worth looking out for – he scored the Toffees last minute equaliser at the Amex in October from the penalty spot – while if Gareth Southgate has any sense, he’ll make Everton number one Jordan Pickford his first choice goalkeeper for this summers World Cup. As well as picking Glenn Murray. Don’t forget Glenn #GetGlennOnThePlane
Betting
We’ve only been to Everton five times previously and three of those have ended in draws while both teams have scored in nine of our past 13 meetings. That makes the draw and both teams to score the value bets.
Prediction
Three of our last four games on the road have finished level and although the Albion are in their best form of the season so far and Everton are stuck in something of a rut, winning at Goodison Park might just prove to be beyond us. 1-1
