Season › 2024-25 › News Bright start descends into miserable farce Michael Kenrick 17/08/2024 42comments | Jump to last Everton 0 - 3 Brighton & Hove Albion [95'] Tim Iroegbunam makes his Everton debut Everton began their final season at Goodison Park with a lively start against Brighton & Hove Albion but an early goal disallowed was just the beginning of a ridiculous descent into laughable farce with everything going wrong that could. Despite Sean Dyche and his coaching team taking an ultra-cautious approach to the management of niggles that could develop into more serious problems during a particularly strenuous pre-season, his team selection has been knocked for six by the absence of Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner and Youssef Chermiti — along with promising youngster Stan Mills — all sidelined by significant injuries. Of the young and inexperienced newcomers incoming during thee transfer window, only Tim Iroegbunam makes it to the starting line-up, the others on the bench where U21 players Metcalfe and Armstong make up the numbers. Everton got the final season underway in the hazy sunshine with a wonderful upfield punt from Pickford to give Brighton the ball. An excellent challenge by Iroegbunam stopped Mitoma in his tracks. A second punt from Pickford went straight into touch. Article continues below video content Jack Harrison burst into the Brighton area and lashed a meaty shot that forced Steele into a good save at the expense of a corer that Harrison put into the net for Everton's first goal... but no, he was declared offside having stayed pretty close to Steele as the ball was played on to him. Iroegbunam was keen on the midfield challenge but the other blue shirts failed to anticipate his liveliness. Everton escaped a penalty call on Tarkowski when Joao Pedro went down before Doucoure broke at pace with McNeil in support and fired onto the post before failing to net the rebound when he finally discovered the offside Flag was raised. In some lively action, Joao Pedro fired a surprise shot past Pickford and onto the post! No shortage of excitement in the first 10 minutes! Calvert-Lewin did well to set up Jack Harrison but he was put off by a defender as he shaped to shoot feebly wide. Wieffer fouled Iroegbunam in an advanced position, McNeil taking charge, Tarkowski heading over his free-kick off the top of his head at the far post. But Everton kept pushing forward in a fairly positive way until a poor pass allowed Brighton to break at pace until Tarkowski got in their way at the expense of Brighton's first corner, headed behind. Mitoma got inside, easily past Young, but Tarkowski again blocked him. Some really lively challenges excited the crowd, with Everton winning on points but still awaiting the first goal, as more crosses from Harrison went astray. Iroegbunam stole the ball off a poor Brighton clearance and strode forward but curled his shot wide when he really should have at least kept it on target. From Pickford, a good flick-on by Calvert-Lewin was followed by a dreadful return cross from Doucoure. Brighton's attack looked to have some better shape and a Millner cross could have easily been converted. Keane played a great ball out to Harrison but he overran it and the turnover saw Brighton scamper upfield for Mitoma to score very easily off Minteh's cross to the far post. Brighton realised they could slice through this Everton defence at will, Minteh spooning his shot over. At the other end, a cleared cross came out nicely for Gana to lash his customary shot off target over the bar. Iroegbunam worked his way forward but Doucuore had strayed offside before his shot was blocked. Milner was booked for his very late studs-up challenge on Mykoenko. Calvert-Lewin collected a dropping ball very well but then lost it immediately. Calvert-Lewin got another good flick-on but Doucoure lost it almost immediately. Everton countered the lively Brighton press but again both Dooucoure and Calvert-Lewin were offside for the forward ball. Iroegbunam again got forward but was deemed to have pushed a defender. Pickford finally punted left rather than right before the ball was switched across to Harrison, Iroegbunam keeping the attack alive without creating a proper chance. Everton tried to build again and McNeil played in his first cross from the left – which perhaps showed why he had been denied the ball played down his side. Mykolenko was released only so he could reprise the shocking crossing skill that had been very much the theme of this half. Minteh came in hard into Mykolenko as he cleared a dropping ball in the Brighton area, and managed to hurt himself in the process, eventually withdrawn for concussion, with Mykolenko walking away unscathed. McNeil got in a quick cross but again it only found a yellow shirt. Another forward ball over the top; another yellow flag for Docure again offside. It looked like a lively and entertaining half but any meaningful critical analysis would surely show that Everton's play was riddled with technical mistakes which Dyche should have been doing a lot more to counter and rectify in pre-season. No changes, of course, as Brighton restarted. Iroegbunam again stopped a poor attempt to play out and eventually the ball fell to Calvert-Lewin who was clattered by Dunk and Simon Hopper gave a penalty. But then of course VAR had to get involved and, in the slo-mo, contact did look very limited as Calvert-Lewin went down in overly dramatic fashion. No penalty. Harrison's was headed by Doucoure but deflected off Veltman and it grazed off Dunk's arm but VAR again said No Penalty. Meanwhile, Veltman needed treatment but was not withdrawn for concussion. Gueye then simply gifted the ball away and Welbeck strolled forward to slot far too easily past Pickford. Shocking defensive play by Everton. Everton laboured to create anything, Harrison getting a millsecond to shoot before two defenders blocked him out. Pickford out quickly to nulify a good ball out that would not have been offside. Harrison again got forward but again the cross was easily snuffed out. It had of course taken Sean Dyche over an hour and two goals concede before he would concede this probably wasn't working. But the only change was Iroegbunam was next to give the ball away and Mitoma came so close to beating Pickford. Everton cleared the corner but Calvert-Lewin, who had been offside for Pickford's previous punt, was now way too far back in defence to profit from it. Another ridiculous moment made this shitshow go immediately from seriously bad to absolutely shocking — Young getting done by Mitoma, grabbing his arm to stop him escaping, and getting an obvious red card. Somehow the ragged Blues defense prevented Mitoma from scoring Brighton's third off the free-kick. Tarkowski was lucky not to see a yellow card for his clumsy tackle on Joao Pedro. Tarkowski was called upon for another superb stop on the other side of the field to stop Adingra. Beto replaced Calvert-Lewin with 15 minutes left. Iroegbunam's first attempt to feed him wasn't accurate enough. The yellow card that Tarkowski had been working hard for finally came when Joao Pedro spun him and needed stopping illegally. Another Brighton attack sliced through the beleaguered Blue shirts and Pickford had to make a crucial interception. Everton managed to clear the following corner but again, no-one forward and Brighton free to build their attack again. Harrison's replacement by Holgate 5 minutes from the end signalled that resistance was futile; Adingra found it very, very easy to scamper forward and slot past Pickford again. What was meant to be a wonderful start to the final season at Goodson Park had begun brightly with Everton getting forward but crucially with nothing gained before the game descended into a dismal farce before a rapidly emptying Goodison Park as a ridiculous 9 minutes were added as Brighton scored their fourth goal – clearly offside. Everton: Pickford, Young [R:65'], Tarkowski [Y:78'], Keane, Mykolenko, Gana, Iroegbunam, Harrison (85' Holgate), Doucoure (63' Ndiaye), McNeil, Calvert-Lewin (76' Beto). Subs: Virginia, O'Brien, Maupay, Lindstrøm, Metcalfe, Armstrong. Brighton & Hove Albion: Stelle, Dunk (75' Webster), Milner [Y:31'] (82' Gilmour), Joao Pedro (82' Sarmiento), Minteh (45+1' Adingra), Welbeck, Mitoma (89' Ayari), Wieffer, Van Hecke, Veltman, Hinshelwood. Subs not Used: Rushworth, Barco, Baleba, O'Mahony. Referee: Simon HooperVAR: Darren England Live Forum Reader Comments (42) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Mike Hayes 1 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:00:39 Fingers crossed for 3 points 🤷💙 Simon Dalzell 2 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:18:24 Team as expected. Can't argue with it. Will watch on TV. Wishing I was There. Hopefully an enjoyable and safe day for all who are. At least it seams we have one or two options off the bench as well. COYB. Dennis Stevens 3 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:22:30 I know nobody seems to do 442 anymore, but I do wonder whether Maupay playing off Calvert Lewin might be quite effective, especially at home. Mark Ryan 4 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:22:48 Holgate & Maupay on our bench. God help us Steve Shave 5 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:25:28 Looking at that squad we need back up LB, RB another winger and a starting CM. Good lord. We can do this though, have to stay tight, hopefully the improved bench will keep the starting 11 on their toes. COYB. Robert Tressell 6 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:25:29 Exciting to see how Tim Iroegbunam fares in midfield.Well done, Jenson Metcalfe. Hope he gets some minutes this season to help his development.COYB. Alan J Thompson 7 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:29:48 Well, I suppose he has made some changes to the bench.Otherwise, it's the same old spots, but did we have three keepers to put there? Christine Foster 8 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:34:29 I'm surprised Keane got the nod, not surprised at the line-up, First home game of the season: handed the initiative to Brighton with our team selection. Safety and caution first, so a bit disappointed with that but it's up to the guys, create the chances and we will win this! Will Mabon 9 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:53:07 Very cautious start. Harrison — so inspiring. Si Cooper 10 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:06:04 Our injuries have really stacked up (on a thin squad) and it's hard to gauge when we will have enough to choose from that Maupay and Holgate will drop out of the matchday considerations.Let's go with ‘Life is Bluetiful!' The steady eddies will keep it tight for 70 minutes and then the flair from the bench will be given a run-out and wrap up the points with a late flourish.COYB / UTFT! Neil Lawson 11 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:06:15 Said it this morning. So predictable. So depressing. A half of tedious bollocks – only likely to improve when the subs come on – may be too late. I just do not understand the rationale. Sean Kearns 12 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:21:27 Same team, same usual shit. Get Lindstrøm, Ndiaye, O'Brien and whoever else on. Brain-dead twats!!! I can't wait til the new lads are in the team… Mitoma runs the length of the pitch, makes and scores the goal. But McNeil can't even score from 3 yards!!! Wankers!!! Dyche was right to say the entire team is for sale! Ernie Baywood 13 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:38:57 This is just incredible from Doucoure. Setting new standards.He can't possibly come back out in the second half. Anthony Jones 14 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:43:12 The best footballers are on the bench.Shocking that we went one-nil down, isn't it? Nicolas Piñon 15 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:48:42 Get Doucoure and Mykolenko off. McNeil left-back, Lindstrøm left-wing and Ndiaye on as a No 10 and see what happens. Good player, the Villa guy, Iroegbunam. Alan J Thompson 16 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:57:23 A funny first half which could be 6 all instead of 1-0.We started by playing the long ball for a few minutes which came out to Harrison and stayed like that for almost the entire half. Iroegbunam apart, the midfield looked disjointed and I couldn't fathom why McNeil stayed so wide left instead of coming inside more often, especially when it was with Harrison.The goal was a bit soft – almost as if a slow defence had been caught too far up the pitch – but I hope Mr Dyche has enough time at halftime to explain the offside rule to several of the players, Doucoure in particular. Ernie Baywood 17 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:06:57 I'll never wrap my head around the concept of Doucoure as a number 10.It doesn't compute on any level. John Wignall 18 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:09:18 Pen Ernie Baywood 19 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:11:22 So VAR is fucked.New season. Same old shit. John Wignall 20 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:12:49 No pen for me Ernie Baywood 21 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:14:31 Soft. But I don't see how VAR overrules when there's clear contact. Stephen Davies 22 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:22:45 From the BBC:Hang on, just on that Everton no-penalty...It turns out there was a technical issue with the VAR screen so referee Simon Hooper wasn't able to see any replays. He overturned his decision on VAR's advice! Kieran Kinsella 23 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:29:13 Young was crap all game — the red just capped it. Calvert-Lewin wants more than £130k a week? Hilarious. Harrison and the new guy were good in the first half. Danny Baily 24 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:30:08 Embarrassingly predictable stuff. Pretty much the worst start we could have made. Ernie Baywood 25 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:33:20 I thought Calvert-Lewin was good first half, Kieran.Based on what we're seeing, we can't afford to lose him. And the words "Mason Holgate is being readied" are uttered… Ernie Baywood 26 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:37:01 Probably 20 minutes left.Are we just not bothering? Simon Dalzell 27 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:49:27 I'll just be true to what I've said from the start. Dinosaur Dyche OUT. John Wignall 28 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:52:00 Awful. Enough said. Andy Mead 29 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:52:38 100% on Dyche. Picked a negative side and has paid for it. Holgate on at home with 10 minutes left and 2-0 down? Your joking. Creative players left on the bench whilst we watch the same shit who can't pass 5 yards. Get him out right now! Long ball punt it into the corner rubbish. Complete humiliation. Ernie Baywood 30 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:53:30 No argument from me, Simon. You change a game when things aren't working but it's still winnable. That's not what happened here. We just persisted with smashing the ball towards Harrison while Doucoure stood offside.That was the plan, right? Dave Lynch 31 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:54:23 So let's get this straight... we have no attack (again) and Dyche has done nothing about it.They have a young inexperienced forward thinking manager.We have a fucking fossil who couldn't organise a gang bang in a brothel.Gonna be a long season. Neil Tyrrell 32 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:00:04 Sometimes teams look galvanized when down to 10 men; we just look beaten. Thanks to our wise old heads Gueye and Young for their contributions to Brighton's cause. Doucoure and Calvert-Lewin need to gain some awareness of what offside is, must have been off 10 times between them in the first half. McNeil was useless too. Very sobering way to start the season. On the bright side, Harrison and (especially) Iroegbunam looked good in the first half. Mark Tanton 33 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:00:48 We all deserve better than to start yet another season in a mess. Calvert-Lewin the main waste of space but not the only one out there. We are so far off, it's almost laughable. Mike Gaynes 34 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:00:49 100% on the players. Veteran defenders making amateur mistakes -- Young, Gana, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Doucoure offside 6 times. You can blame Dyche for putting on Holgate, but the game was already gone by then. Veteran players are expected to perform to their appropriate standards. Only the oft-derided Harrison and Keane did so. And the debut of Iroegbunam was all we could have hoped for. Lindstrøm must be in the lineup for Gana next week. Perhaps Ndiaye for Doucoure. Tragically, Holgate will be at right-back. Sickening. Phil Smith 35 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:01:02 Disgusted by that performance... from Dyche. Made 4 positive signings, 3 with serious goal threat, and only starts the one who doesn't. What did he expect? The same team and same start as last year. On top and should be taking the lead. Don't and pay the price. Carbon copy of last year. Young and Coleman not up to it. No pace in the side. Up against one of the quickest and trickiest wingers in Mitoma and what happens? Bloody obvious. Game crying out for Dixon to have a go, who must be one of the quickest players in the league. I'd rather a young kid be given a chance and make mistakes than a has-been who'll be hanging his boots soon. Criminal from Dyche. 100% blame squarely on his shoulders. Have some balls, man.Calvert-Lewin doesn't move anymore. Beto is shite but at least he tries. Doucoure is a waste of space. Is always offside and offers nothing. McNeil is way off the pace and was all pre-season. Only one who gave a shit was Harrison, who did look bright pre-season. Pete Ellingham 36 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:01:07 These are the games we should win! No excuses — it just isn't good enough. I mean, Holgate… for fuck's sake – I am a better player than him and I'm 47 and my body is knackered! I give up, I'm not doing this anymore! Pat Kelly 37 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:03:36 I said a few days ago that this squad would do well to stay up. We need at least a couple more in. But what's the point really, when Dyche continues to field Young, Keane, Holgate and leaves new signings on the bench? Yes it's only the first game, but this isn't Dyche's first rodeo. We know what to expect. And it's invariably crap. Mike Doyle 38 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:06:54 Same old same old. No pace on either flank. Manager refusing to make changes before 60mins despite being required much earlier.Difficult to see how this season is likely to be any better than the last 2. I think we are in for a long hard season.Well done Tim - easily our best player. Harrison had a do too. John Hall 39 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:09:44 That was a shocker. Hoof ball from the first minute and silly errors from experienced players.Another long hard slog to try to get to the new ground still in the PL.New season optimism has already evaporated.Put your suit back on Dychee. Mike Gaynes 40 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:10:05 I'll say this for Thelwell, the Iroegbunam/Onana swap, +$54 million, was absolute genius. Skinned Villa clean on that one. Steve Brown 41 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:12:02 Get ready for next week Roman Dixon.. It would be a exciting surprise to see a right-footed player on our right flank, given that every quality long diagonal ball was wasted when it landed at Harrisons feet. He tried hard but should not be considered there again.Gana, Tarks, Douc, Young were all atrocious, as was Dyches game management when we went a goal down. His decision to bring on Holgate should have been accompanied by a laughter track over the tannoy.Dyche surely has to change the team for Spurs. he will probably playa back three now. Arnez Desmond 42 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:12:22 Please Everton do not renew SD's contract. Total rubbish. Why play Keane, Young and Doucs? All useless. Why play 4-4-1-1 when you can play 3-5-1-1 just to fit Young and Doucs in the team? This was a disaster waiting to happen. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb