An overview of how the wider media covered Everton's draw at Brighton and Hove Albion
Beto celebrates his late equaliser against Brighton. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
Beto celebrates his late equaliser against Brighton. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
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Focus on Everton’s draw at Brighton and Hove Albion understandably pointed at David Moyes’ celebrations and the response his yellow card drew.
The Blues boss was left stunned when Chris Kavanagh punished him for leaping onto the pitch after Beto’s 97th minute equaliser at the Amex. He was an image of defiance in the post-match press conference - insisting he would react with passion again, even if it meant disciplinary action.
That was the starting point for most of the wider reporting on a game that came alive in the last 20 minutes as Pascal Gross opened the scoring before Beto’s late heroics.
In the Times, Joe Harston quoted Moyes’ remarks at length after writing: “If recent weeks had not already been frustrating enough for Brighton & Hove Albion fans, another week of late heartbreak has only made it worse.
“They were just seconds away from registering a much needed win against Everton but any hope of some respite from recent woes came to an abrupt end in the 97th minute when the substitute Beto finished from close range to level up the scoreline, in a dramatic end that had David Moyes galloping on to the pitch to celebrate with his team.”
Over at the Guardian, Ed Aarons described Moyes’ decision to select a back four of centre backs as “intimidating” in a report that started with the late drama. He wrote: “David Moyes could not contain himself. As the ball hit the back of the net after the substitute Beto had bundled in the equaliser in the seventh minute of injury time, the Everton manager set off. Moyes is 63 in April, but he sprinted on to the pitch in a moment of sheer delight as Brighton’s players dropped to their knees in despair.
“Somehow, Everton’s unbeaten record here that stretches back to 2019 is still intact. It had seemed a goal from Pascal Gross would be enough for Brighton to claim victory at the sixth attempt after they had spurned a number of chances in the first half. But while it is one thing to plan how you are going to overcome a team managed by Moyes, it is not quite so easy in practice.”
Adwaidh Rajan wrote for BBC Sport that the goal kept Everton in the hunt for Europe, continuing: “Thierno Barry headed into the game with four goals in his past five appearances, but the striker hardly got a look-in during an underwhelming first half for the visitors. However, Everton's response in the second half was impressive.
“They had seven shots after the break, four of them on target, and Brighton's opener came firmly against the run of play. But Moyes' side did not let their shoulders drop and found the leveller from almost the final passage of play.”
The disappointment in the last-gasp equaliser was clear from a Brighton perspective, with Brian Owen at the Argus writing: “Pascal Gross scored some massive goals for Albion in his first stint with the club. This should have been another. Instead, his crisply-hit 73rdminute strike in front of the North Stand was the precursor to more Albion disappointment.
“And this was as biting as any they have endured in a run which now extends to one Premier League win in 11 games. A strike by Beto in the seventh and last added minute gave Everton a 1-1 draw and brought boos around the Amex. It was a sickening disappointment for home fans and players, some of whom collapsed to the ground at full-time.”
The contrast in emotion on the final whistle - as Moyes danced and home players fell to the floor - was also the starting point for the ECHO’s match verdict: “What a f***ing joke,” a Brighton supporter yelled as he left the stands. Eight rows of seats beneath him, David Moyes was gathering his breath having just crept off the pitch he had sprung onto, dancing and jumping with joy at Beto’s last-gasp equaliser.
“Everton’s number nine, in the distance, thumped his chest before taking his shirt off and climbing into a jubilant away end that swallowed up the birthday boy in an outpouring of pride and relief. On the halfway line, Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba sat with his head in his hands as more of his supporters headed towards the concourses cursing a Blues side that once again left them stunned.
“This was not the battling, hard-fought three points that signalled the fanbase had their club back almost 12 months ago to the day. Nor was it the stunning 5-1 shock victory that did so much to save Everton from relegation under Sean Dyche. And there will be critics who will say a point at Brighton should not warrant such celebration, not when a win would have done so much to burnish the club’s European credentials.
“But that would be a harsh take after a game in which an experimental Blues side began to show menace before being hit with a sucker punch with 15 minutes to go.”