Everton scores after 34 seconds, stuns Brighton 5-1 in EPL

By: The Associated Press Posted: 1:49 PM CDT Monday, May. 8, 2023

BRIGHTON, England (AP) — Everton scored after 34 seconds on its way to a surprising 5-1 win at Europe-chasing Brighton that lifted the team out of the English Premier League relegation zone on Monday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $5.77 plus GST every four weeks. After 52 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/05/2023 (1264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Abdoulaye Doucoure converted the 10th first-minute goal in the league this season and volleyed home a second in the 29th to give Everton a dream start at Amex Stadium.

It got even better for the visitors when a cross from Dwight McNeil, who set up Doucoure’s second goal, deflected in off the heel of Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele for an own-goal in the 35th.

Brighton's goalkeeper Jason Steele scores an own goal, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove and Everton, at the AMEX, in Brighton, England, Monday May 8, 2023. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

McNeil got his goal in the 76th when he dribbled around Steele at the end of a length-of-the-field counterattack as Everton powered into a scarcely believable four-goal lead against a team that started the game with an outside shot at Champions League qualification.

Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister grabbed a 79th-minute consolation for Brighton, which stayed in seventh place and eight points off the top four with a game in hand. There was still time for another goal by McNeil — a rising shot inside the near post in stoppage time that capped a brilliant performance from the winger.

After beginning the day in next-to-last place, Everton will finish it two points above the relegation zone and with renewed hope of extending its 69-year stay in England’s top division, with games still to come against Manchester City, Wolverhampton and Bournemouth to close the season.