Everton face the long trip to Brighton this weekend in their first match after the international break. What does the trip to the Falmer stadium hold for the toffees? We take a look at this weekend’s opponents and indulge in a little nostalgia.
Despite sweatbanded centre half Steve Foster’s efforts, Brighton lost the FA cup final and were relegated in 1983. The seagulls disappeared into the wilderness of the lower leagues and even skirted with relegation to the conference in the late 90’s. The last 2 seasons saw them challenge for the spots before earning automatic promotion after finishing 2nd last season.
Chris Hughton took over a club in disarray in 2014. Ex Liverpool grock Sami Hyppia had taken the Seagulls into the relegation zone. The former Newcastle manager steadied the ship and helped them avoid relegation by finishing 20th. Hughton had always been unlucky in his managerial career, being fired by Newcastle when 12th in the table, a season after promoting them.
He then guided Birmingham City to the playoffs before taking over at then Premier league Norwich City. His spell at the Canaries was a difficult one with 2 relegation battles leaving to his firing. Brighton offered him the chance at redemption and he has grasped it with both hands.
Influential midfielder Davy Propper will return to the side this weekend after a hip injury. Former Everton youth centre half Shane Duffy will anchor the defence, whilst Tomer Hemed is suspended. Their dangerman is Pascal Gross who has been by far their most creative player. The former German youth international has scored 2 and assisted 2 whilst creating 18 chances so far this season.
Club captain Phil Jagielka will return to the Everton squad this weekend, providing a boost to a defence which has already conceded 12 league goals this season. Everton’s last clean sheet in the league was in the first game of the season against Stoke and Koeman may be tempted to play a back 3. Ashley Williams is likely to keep his place despite his unconvincing recent form.
“Ashley is an experienced player for sure” Koeman told the Liverpool Echo. “In a career you’re not always on that level and you find you’re in a difficult period. The experience can bring the player back on the level.”
Speaking of experience, Koeman has intimated that Wayne Rooney will likely return to the starting 11 after his surprise benching against Burnley. Whoever he picks, he will be hoping for a more cohesive performance from a team who have suffered from a difficult start to the season. “It’s for everybody who starts to be a team and get a good result. “
Everton haven’t played Brighton since 1983 and what an eventful game that was! Kendall was still putting together his title winning team and Mark Higgins had just taken over as captain. The shy and retiring (or shite for short) Clive Thomas gave another masterclass in how not to referee but Everton came away with the points with 2 goals from Kevin Sheedy.
Who do you think will start this weekend? Will Koeman drop Williams? Will we revert to a back 3? Let us know in the comments section below.
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