Brighton & Hove Albion have climbed up to eighth in the Premier League table after thrashing relegation-threatened Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park on Tuesday night.
Goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Solly March and Pascal Gross saw the Seagulls race into a four-goal lead before the hour mark, before Demarai Gray netted a consolation strike in stoppage time for the Toffees.
The pressure continues to pile on Everton head coach Frank Lampard, who has seen his side lose eight of their last 11 competitive matches, and they remain embroiled in a battle to avoid relegation from the top flight.
Indeed, the Toffees remain 16th in the Premier League standings and just one point above the drop zone with all four teams below them having a game in hand.
Brighton, meanwhile, bounced back from their 4-2 home defeat against league leaders Arsenal with an impressive display on Merseyside and Roberto De Zerbi's men now sit just three points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place.
Everton made two changes to their starting lineup, with Lampard opting to recall Tom Davies and Dwight McNeil, while Brighton made four changes to their first XI, with 18-year-old Ferguson handed his full Premier League debut after scoring as a substitute against Arsenal.
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In grim weather conditions on Merseyside, Everton enjoyed an early spell of possession and came close to netting the opener after six minutes, but Robert Sanchez got down well to keep out an effort from Alex Iwobi.
Brighton responded well, though, and managed to open the scoring on the 14-minute mark when Mitoma received a fizzed pass from Moises Caicedo on the left before cutting inside and slotting the ball past Jordan Pickford from around 12 yards out.
The Seagulls were then inches away from doubling their lead six minutes later when Mitoma – who looked a constant threat down the left flank – picked out Ferguson who directed his effort off the base of the post.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggled to get himself into the game during the first half with Everton unable to provide their No.9 with the right service, but the Englishman was eventually presented with an opportunity in the 37th minute, directing an effort just wide of the post.
The first half ended in fiery fashion, with Everton initially refusing to kick the ball out of play after Mitoma hit the deck, before Ferguson needlessly pushed over Idrissa Gueye which sparked a reaction from both sides, and the Irishman was subsequently booked for his actions.
Ferguson was back celebrating after the break, however, after he put Brighton two goals in front in the 51st minute, lifting his finish from close range into the top corner after receiving a cross from Jeremy Sarmiento.
Everton then capitulated and the floodgates opened, with the Seagulls scoring two more goals with a three-minute period courtesy of well-taken strikes from March and Gross.
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Ferguson turned provider for March who cut inside from the right and calmly placed a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.
Gross then rubbed salt into Everton's wounds with a fourth before the hour mark, capitalising on a poor back-pass from Gueye before racing clear and expertly chipping Pickford to send the Seagulls supporters into pandemonium.
Lampard's side were left stunned, and an unsavory atmosphere soon echoed round Goodison, with some supporters heading for the exits early, while others stayed to voice their opinion and boo their side's abysmal performance, and chants of "sack the board" were also heard from the Toffees faithful.
Brighton ultimately eased to victory and were able to bring on in-demand midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for his first appearance after winning the World Cup with Argentina, while 19-year-old Andrew Moran was handed his Premier League debut as a late substitute.
The Seagulls were unable to keep a clean sheet, though, as Gray – who scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City last weekend – smashed the ball down the middle of the goal to pull one back for the Toffees.
Nevertheless, Everton were beaten in convincing fashion by an impressive Brighton side, and the two teams will now turn their focus to FA Cup third-round action, with Lampard's men facing high-flying Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday, while the Seagulls make the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
