Matt O’Riley struggles: Five things we learned from Brighton’s defeat at Everton
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler may have a few decisions to make in his next starting line-up, but there was one positive to take from the Seagull’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.
The Seagulls could not spoil the party as Everton won their first ever competitive match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium thanks to goals in either half by Illiman Ndiaye and James Garner.
Danny Welbeck missed a penalty in the second half to halve the deficit, and Brighton had plenty of chances from a promising first half display.
Here are five things we learned from Brighton’s defeat Everton.
Yankuba Minteh shows his quality
Yankuba Minteh was Brighton’s most dangerous player against Everton, in what was a fine display, and a a rare positive for the Seagulls on Merseyside.
Minteh was positive up against his full-back and he should have had an assist when he set Welbeck up with an open goal from a couple of yards out, which the striker somehow missed.
The 21-year-old won the penalty in the second half, and was the only player that was going to get Brighton back into the game.
Matt O’Riley influence fades
Matt O’Riley was Brighton’s star performer against Fulham on the opening weekend, and the Dane looked to be exerting his influence again in the first half.
The midfielder was taking up positions in-between the Everton defence and midfield, which was causing the Toffees problems.
However, in the second half O’Riley, who has been linked with a Brighton exit, was nowhere to be seen as Everton outfought the Seagulls and seemed to want the win more.
O’Riley too should have taken the penalty, the 24-year-old netted from the spot against Fulham and that was a pivotal moment in the second half.
Danny Welbeck suffers a poor afternoon
Welbeck made his first start of the season, but Hurzeler will have to decide whether the striker keeps his place in the team against Manchester City next.
Not only did Welbeck miss the penalty and an open goal, but the 34-year-old was not bringing his team mates into play or winning the physical duels against the Everton centre-back’s.
| Minutes Played | 90 |
| Touches | 24 |
| Big Chances Missed | 2 |
| Ground Duels Won | 0/5 |
| Ariel Duels Won | 0/3 |
Georginio Rutter was not in the squad at Everton, but Hurzeler would have brought the striker on if he had him among his options on the bench.
Full-back duo struggle against Everton’s wingers
One of Brighton’s biggest defensive concerns was the problems which Ndiaye and Jack Grealish gave to full-back’s Maxim De Cuyper and Mats Wieffer.
Both were booked in the contest and substituted, with the pair needing to work on the defensive side of their game.
De Cuyper in particular is known as an attacking full-back, but in that area both full-back’s did not make an impact or threaten.
Substitutions make zero impact
With the absence of Rutter in particular, Hurzeler had few attacking options on his bench to change the game.
The substitutes who did come on offered next to no impact on proceedings, as Everton ran out comfortable winners.
The lack of affect on the match will concern Hurzeler, whose side still had over half an hour to get back into the game after Everton had netted their second goal.