Brighton boss Hurzeler hoping to build on ‘perfect’ week against Everton

The Seagulls became the second team to record three consecutive top-flight away wins at Old Trafford after beating Manchester United 3-1 last Sunday.

Brighton’s latest victory means they are now seven games unbeaten in all competitions, though four of those matches have ended in draws, leaving them ninth in the table.

But after a hat-trick of wins in the space of seven days, Hurzeler is hoping to use that momentum to cement a place inside the European places this term.

"If you have nine points it is the perfect week, so I am happy and proud of the team," Hurzeler said post-match.

"That's a positive thing. You always want to trust the process and follow the process, and now it's about getting consistency in the results.

"The performances in the last games were very consistent, which is positive, so now it's about consistency in results.

"There were very good phases, especially the first minutes. When we scored, we got a little bit passive, but then we conceded and were active again.

"Especially in the second half, I think there was a good balance between the defence and controlling the game in possession and creating chances.

"We were always a danger to them, so I am pleased with the performance."

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— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 22, 2025

David Moyes, meanwhile, oversaw his first win in charge of Everton since returning to Goodison Park with a 3-2 victory over out-of-form Tottenham.

The Toffees’ win moved them four points clear of the bottom four, while there was also a rare goal from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who opened the scoring.

Calvert-Lewin netted his 57th in the Premier League overall, moving him above Tim Cahill (56) and into third for Everton, with only Romelu Lukaku (68) and Duncan Ferguson (60) scoring more in the competition for the Toffees than him.

He was also the first Everton player to score a Premier League goal under Moyes since Steven Naismith netted 11 years and 245 days ago for the Toffees vs Chelsea (May 2013), and the Scot is hoping Calvert-Lewin can take confidence from that moving forward.

"Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] had three big chances in midweek and was a little bit unlucky. If they get chances you are saying 'come on, it is your job to score it' so maybe confidence is coming back into his game," Moyes said.

"He played more like a traditional centre forward today and was a real handful for them. He probably could have scored another one today, but that is a good start for him.

"Sometimes centre forwards need goals and then can start to work on things they need to do better. He doesn't feel like he's been getting chances, but in the past couple of games he has been.

"Everybody has to chip in because goals have certainly been difficult to come by here."

Mitoma has been directly involved in three goals in his last two Premier League games for Brighton (two goals, one assist), as many as in his previous 18.

With a goal here, he would become the first Japanese player to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances.

Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring for Everton in their 3-2 win against Spurs last time out, ending a run of 16 Premier League games without a goal.

He also had six shots against Spurs, as many as he had in his previous six league appearances combined.

Brighton are looking to complete the league double over Everton for the first time, with this the 12th different campaign in which they’ve met.

After an eight-game winless run in the Premier League, Brighton have now won both of their last two and last won three in a row in the competition in September 2023. However, the Seagulls are winless in their last four at home in the league (D3 L1).

Everton, meanwhile, have won just one of their last 21 Premier League away games (D8 L12), beating Ipswich Town 2-0 in October. Since that victory at Portman Road, the Toffees have scored just one goal in their six league games on the road (D3 L3).

But having been winless in their first four Premier League away games against Brighton (D2 L2), the Toffees have won two of their last three visits to the Amex Stadium (D1).

However, no team have scored fewer second half goals than Everton (seven) in the Premier League this season, while the Toffees have also shipped a league-high 68% of their goals after half-time this term (19/28). Indeed, in a Premier League table based on second half results this season, Everton would be bottom.

Moyes has won just one of his 10 Premier League meetings with Brighton (D5 L4), though this did come in his last visit to the Amex Stadium in August 2023 with West Ham. It’s the Scotsman’s lowest win rate against any side in the competition (10%).

Brighton – 56%

Draw – 23.5%