Everton - Home, Falmer Years
EVERTON PREM Lge record from 11/12 to 17/18; 7, 6, 5, 11, 11, 7, 8. Best finish = 5, Worst finish = 11, Ave finish = 8th.
C21; Ave = 9th (19yrs), Top four - 1 time, Top ten - 12 times from 19, Stayed up - 3 times in bottom 6 (00/01, 01/2, 03/4). Goodison AVE GATE; 39.3K, CAP; 39.6K
RECENT managers; Marco Silva (2018-19), Sam Allardyce (2017-18), Ronald Koeman (2016-17), David Unsworth (2016 & 17), Roberto Martinez (2013-16), David Moyes (2002-13)

Run-in; Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H), West Ham (A), Arsenal (H), Fulham (A), Man Utd (H), Palace (A), Burnley (H), Spurs (A)

EVERTON AWAY;
18/19 - P13 W3 D3 L7 F15 A18 GD-3 Pt12 Po9 = 0.92pt/gm or 36.3% of total points. Wins = 23%, Loss = 53.8% - Marco Silva.
17/18 - P19 W3 D6 L10 F16 A36 GD-20 Pt15 Po8 = 0.78pt/gm or 30.6% of total points. Wins = 15.7%, Loss = 52.6% - Ronald Koeman & Sam Allardyce
16/17 - P19 W4 D6 L9 F20 A28 GD-8 Pt18 Po7 (Po10 away) = 0.94pt/gm or 29.5% of total points. Away wins = 21% - Ronald Koeman.
15/16 - P19 W5 D9 L5 F24 A25 GD-1 Pt24 Po11 = 1.26pt/gm or 51% of total points. Wins = 26.3% - Roberto Martinez & David Unsworth.
14/15 - P19 W5 D4 L10 F21 A29 GD-8 Pt19 Po11 = 1.00pt/gm or 40.4% of total points. Wins = 26.3% - Roberto Martinez.
13/14 - P19 W8 D6 L5 F23 A20 GD+3 Pt30 Po5 = 1.57pt/gm or 41.7% of total points. Wins = 42.1% - Roberto Martinez.

Season8 Premier League (H) 29/12/18 - 1-0 ~ Locadia
This was the first reciprocal PL fixture, marking start of 2nd half of the campaign (Q3-4). And also that one bizarrely squashed between Boxing Day (Q2) & New Year contests (Q3). Albion had visited Toffees during early November to begin Q2 stats (see Away below). So we already knew the proverbial score, at least metaphorically, if not yet factually & arithmetically. Home form was important this term as last and so far BHA had done ok against bigger outfits in the current top ten - 6th Man Utd 3-2, 2nd Spurs 1-2, 10th Wolves 1-0, 7th Leicester 1-1, 4th Chelsea 0-2 & 5th Arsenal 1-1. Now Chris Hughton had to find a way to get the next win against another regular Prem outfit.
Albion ground out a one-nil victory, which hung in balance throughout the 90+ minutes. Fans were entertained on this Saturday afternoon with an open game that had plenty of incidents on & off the ball and good & bad feelings to boot. The first half was goalless with both sides getting chances but failing to take them. Button made his PL debut in goal and had a slice of luck around the half hour mark when the ball got loose. In the second period Seagulls pressed forwards with vigour. From a Gross corner the ball got to Locadia who netted with aplomb. Lino flagged but Ref consulted and gave the goal (59min). Straight away Toffees struck a shot and Button parried onto a post to keep it clean. Hughton put Murray into the fray with 15 mins to go as BHA hung on to the slender lead. Very late in the day visitors hit the bar from a header via a f-k but hosts saw it out, much to Button's relief. Hughton said, 'generally we start well at home. That lifted the crowd and team's confidence. We had good enough passages in the game to warrant the win.' Hughton had soon been four years in the job and said, 'I've had great support from this club. We'll need to continue to get results and I'm hoping we can continue to make progress.' Brighton fans went home happy enough and probably there was an air of optimism going into the New Year and looking beyond until May.
Stats; shape 3421-451, h-t 0-0, goal 59, poss 45%-55%, on target 3-4, off target 3-6, blocks 5-3, crosses 17-20, corners 6-6, o/s 2-1, tackles 23-17, fouls 10-11, yellows 0-2, subs 1-3. Gate 30,597, away 2968. MoM - Dunk, captain courageous.
27 Button (debut), 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 30 Bernardo, 20 March, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 9 Locadia, 13 Gross, 10 Andone (17 Murray 74).
P20 . W5 D3 L2 . F15 A11 . W2 D1 L7 . F7 A16 . Pt25 Po13 = 1.25pt/gm. Wins = 35%, Loss = 45%

Manager; Marco Silva (2018-19), previously Sam Allardyce.
Total; P30 W D L F A GD Pt Po = pt/gm. Wins = %, Loss = %
3qtrs; P27 W9 D6 L12 F36 A39 GD-3 Pt33 Po9 = 1.22pt/gm. Wins = 33.3%, Loss = 44.4%
Hlfwy; P19 W7 D6 L6 F31 A29 GD+2 Pt27 Po8 = 1.42pt/gm. Wins = 36.8%, Loss = 31.5%
Start; P10 W4 D3 L3 F16 A14 GD+2 Pt15 Po9 = 1.50pt/gm. Wins = 40%, Loss = 30% - Silva.
EFL CUP; 3rd rnd - Southampton 3-4 pens 1-1 (H), 2nd rnd north - Rotherham 3-1 (H)
FA CUP; 4th rnd - Millwall 3-2 (A), 3rd rnd - Lincoln 2-1 (H)
Aug; well, the benchmark is to be better than 8th. Pressure is on from word go to make the grade with the shakedown not fully complete.
October; upped the ante to just hold a top ten spot in a competitive middle order group. Out of EFL Cup on pens.
New Year; hanging around mid-table and not the top six fringe as hoped. FA Cup progress.
March;

INS; pre Aug - Kurt Zouma (Chelsea loan), Andre Gomes (Barca loan), Yerry Mina (Barca 27.2m), Bernard (Shakhtar), Lucas Digne (Barca 18m), Richarlison (Watford 40m)

Season7 Premier League (H) Sunday 15/10/17 - 1-1 ~ Knockaert
October contained five Sundays this year and on three of them Albion were playing a Prem fixture. This was the second match on the Sabbath but a first game at the Amex and followed the international break. In particular the contest had added ingredients for a home six-pointer, against a side level on points (7pt) in the bottom seven (14th & 16th), separated merely by GD (-4 & -8). The club wanted wins at Falmer to attempt a minimum average 1pt/gm overall, which gave a basic target of 38pt total for survival. Chris Hughton used the previous no-game time to get injured players back into contention and also drill all those available in the 25 man squad and likely for selection. Duffy, Hemed (suspended) and Ryan had played for their countries but returned fit & able. But although Dutch m-f link Propper had gotten injured he also turned out today.
Albion nearly made it a day to remember but were eventually left with the point they started with and a whole lot of talking points to boot. The game was goalless until less than ten minutes from the end but burst into life for a climatic conclusion. Ref had a mare and upset Brighton fans with a few strange decisions and lack of f-ks for the hosts. Propper & Dunk were booked around the hour mark for innocuous challenges and Duffy went off injured ten minutes later. Izquierdo simultaneously arrived and Albion began to go forward in earnest. Knockaert made the breakthrough when finishing a move that initially involved Izquierdo's shot being blocked (82min). Murray next limped off as the contest opened out with visitors upping the ante. Knockaert got a very late yellow when taking one for the team and from the f-k Ref booked Bruno and awarded a last minute penalty to Toffees (90min). Hughton said, 'I'm incredibly disappointed, it feels like a defeat. I couldn't see them scoring. I thought we were the side that would capitalise. I've no complaints with the penalty. Because there had been a lot of pushing, Refs eyes were on it.' Brighton fans were left frustrated and booed off the officials. But taking the positives, locals could see Seagulls were quite capable of taking points in the division and all in all was a season's work in progress.
Stats; shape 4411-4231, ht 0-0, goals 82-90, poss 47%-53%, on target 3-6, off target 9-7, corners 7-1, o/s 5-1, fouls 12-10, subs 3-3, yellows 4-1. Gate 30,565 (away 3003)
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy (4 Huenemeier), 5 Dunk, 29 Suttner, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 20 March (19 Izquierdo), 13 Gross, 17 Murray (37 Brown)
P 8 . W 2 D 2 L 4 . F 6 A 10. Pt 8 Po 14

EVERTON 17/18 Stats -
Total; P38 W13 D10 L15 F44 A58 GD-14 Pt49 Po8 = 1.28pt/gm. Wins = 34.2%, Loss = 39.4% - Sam Allardyce. R3 Y53
3qtrs; P29 W9 D7 L13 F33 A49 GD-16 Pt34 Po11 = 1.17pt/gm. Wins = 31%, Loss = 44.8%
Hlfwy; P19 W7 D5 L7 F24 A30 GD-6 Pt26 Po9 = 1.36pt/gm. Wins = 36.8%, Loss = 36.8%
Start; P10 W2 D2 L6 F7 A20 GD-13 Pt8 Po18 = 0.80pt/gm. Wins = 20%, Loss = 60% - Ronald Koeman.

Aug - no mean feat if momentum can be maintained in both League & Cup competitions from ongoing progress.
New Year - stumbled at the start but getting up to speed with replacement manager.
March - around top half. EFL & FA Cups knocked out early by Prem top six clubs. Europa League - had already failed to advance to later stages.

PREVIOUS FIVE;
17/18 - P38 W13 D10 L15 F44 A58 GD-14 Pt49 Po8 = 1.28pt/gm. Wins = 34.2%, Loss = 39.4% - Sam Allardyce & Ronald Koeman.
The Dutchman was another Prem boss who changed jobs for start of last term. A straight talker, he tried to walk the walk and guide Toffees out of a not so sweet sticky patch.
16/17 - P38 W17 D10 L11 F62 A44 GD+18 Pt61 Po7 = 1.60pt/gm. Wins = 44.7%, Draws = 26.3%, Loss = 28.9%, CS = 34% - Ronald Koeman.
Everton finished as something of an enigma in that they were remote pointswise from the top six and everyone else to boot. But take the positives going forward.
15/16 - P38 W11 D14 L13 F59 A55 GD+4 Pt47 Po11 = 1.23pt/gm. Wins = 28.9% - Roberto Martinez & David Unsworth.
Oh dear, in an year when the blue side of Scouseland should have moved forward with the times, it all rather stood still. RM achieved two Cup s-f but couldn't walk the walk merely regret the big pre-campaign talk.
14/15 - P38 W12 D11 L15 F48 A50 GD-2 Pt47 Po11 = 1.23pt/gm. Wins = 31.5% - Roberto Martinez (P95 W43 D24 L28 Wins = 45.2%).
Trips into Europe seemed to affect the squad's domestic outcome, as RM juggled limited players against longer fixture lists.
13/14 - P38 W21 D9 L8 F61 A49 GD+22 Pt72 Po5 = 1.89pt/gm. Wins = 55.2% - Roberto Martinez.
Toffees had plenty to chew over after coach Roberto Martinez achieved qualification for European matches in his initial season.

FA CUP from 13/14; q-f, 3rd rnd, s-f, 3rd rnd, 3rd rnd, 4th rnd.
LEAGUE CUP; 3rd rnd, 3rd rnd, s-f, 3rd rnd, 4th rnd, 3rd rnd.
EUROPA LEAGUE; nq, last 16, nq, nq, gp stage, nq.

Everton - Away, Falmer Years
TOFFEES FANS Expectation - to continue a rise for entering the top six group with a new manager, so maybe again reach into Europe.
FORECAST at start; title 200/1, top four 20/1, top six 9-2, top half 1-3, top n-w 100/1. Bottom half 5-2, stay up 1-200, relegated 33/1, bottom 100/1. Sack MS 22/1, 1st sack 20/1. FA Cup 20/1, EFL Cup 20/1

Everton @ HOME;
18/19 - P14 W6 D3 L5 F21 A21 GD0 Pt21 Po9 = 1.50pt/gm or 63.6% of total points. Wins = 42.8%, Loss = 35.7% - Marco Silva.
17/18 - P19 W10 D4 L5 F28 A22 GD+6 Pt34 Po8 = 1.78pt/gm or 69.3% of total points. Wins = 52.6%, Loss = 26.3% - Ronald Koeman & Sam Allardyce.
16/17 - P19 W13 D4 L2 F42 A16 GD+26 Pt43 Po7 (Po4 home) = 2.26pt/gm or 70.4% of total points. Home wins = 68.4% - Ronald Koeman.
15/16 - P19 W6 D5 L8 F35 A30 GD+5 Pt23 Po11 = 1.21pt/gm or 48.9% of total points. Wins 31.5% - Roberto Martinez & David Unsworth.
14/15 - P19 W7 D7 L5 F27 A21 GD+6 Pt28 Po11 = 1.47pt/gm or 59.5% of total points. Wins = 36.8% - Roberto Martinez.
13/14 - P19 W13 D3 L3 F38 A19 GD+19 Pt42 Po5 = 2.21pt/gm or 58.3% of total points. Wins = 68.4% - Roberto Martinez.

Season8 Premier League (A) 3/11/18 - L 3-1 ~ Dunk
The second quarter had begun and results to date set a trend going into end of the current calendar year, when we were quickly due to meet Toffees once more (see Home above). Albion's basic requirement points-wise was to match last term's survival tally of 40pts and prior to kickoff were averaging 1.40pt/gm or a projected equivalent of 53pts by May. However away form could be cause for concern and remained an area for improvement. Defeats at Watford 2-0, Liverpool 1-0 & Man City 2-0 were so far balanced positively by So'ton 2-2 & Newcastle 0-1. Keeping clean sheets was to be the priority, given Seagulls couldn't rely on Murray to score week in week out. Other players found it extra hard to get on the score-sheet, let alone notch figures to reflect their supposed PL abilty come the final analysis.
A poor second half performance sealed Albion's fate, having scored a rare away goal to get level again by the interval. Hosts fast counter from a BHA corner initially put visitors behind (26). But Dunk (already booked on 10min) got up to head an equaliser from a corner routine (33). In the second period visitors were pressed from word go and an opposing wingback netted from range (50). Hughton sent on Knockaert after the hour to work the home rearguard and later Bissouma to strengthen centrally. He was preparing to introduce Andone when Toffees made it extra sticky for Seagulls to get anything sweet from the contest. Dunk's square pass was picked up by the on-fire striker and he did the biz no probs against Duffy & Ryan (77). Hughton said, 'it's our second season and there is going to be ups & downs. We have to accept that, dust ourselves down and make sure you're ready next time.' Brighton fans could see Albion struggled to penetrate the final third and once more the team lacked PL class in m-f & beyond. The defence also had an off day and so the game was well & truly up.
Stats; shape 4231-451, h-t 1-1, goals 26,50,77-33, poss 61%-39%, on target 3-3, off target 9-0, blocks 2-2, crosses 34-11, corners 6-4, o/s 2-2, tackles 18-15, fouls 9-17, yellows 0-1, subs 3-3. MoM Dunk. Gate 38,966, away 1396.
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 16 Jahanbakhsh, 6 Stephens, 7 Kayal (10 Andone 78), 19 Izquierdo (11 Knockaert 63), 20 March (8 Bissouma 70),
P11 . W3 D1 L1 . F8 A6 . W1 D1 L4 . F4 A10 . Pt14 Po12 = 1.27pt/gm. Wins = 36.3%, Loss = 45.4%

Season7 Premier League (A) 10/3/18 - L 2-0
So began the run-in of nine fixtures and which ever way Brighton fans looked, it was a tough one on paper. Trips to Man City & Liverpool still beckoned. And our PL future would predominately be decided by results against sides established in top half of the table. Thereby only a couple of remaining fixtures could be classed as six pointers versus fellow relegation threatened opposition. Away form to date was: P14 W2 D4 L8 F7 A17 Pt10 = 0.71pt/gm or 29.4% of campaign points tally. At the three quarters stage Albion were 10th and 6pts above 17th, the last place of safety. But results on the road were in need of improvement whichever way you figured it.
It turned out to be another proverbial disaster on the road, not of biblical proportions exactly but maybe amiss according to the travel gospel of Chris Hughton. Albion did what they had to do for an hour, staying in the contest despite being up against it. But once falling behind, there was only gonna be one result. Full backs & wingers had mares and the rest weren't on their game that much either. Schelotto went into the book in the second half and then Bong put thru his own net (60min). Locadia next replaced Kayal and BHA went to orthodox 442. A few moments afterwards Everton won it with a strong shot as defenders gave way (76min). Ulloa turned up but minutes later Knockaert got a straight red for studs up. Suttner came on for closing minutes. All in all a day to forget quickly. Hughton said, 'I was surprised at our performance. But at this level it's difficult to raise your game for every match.' It kinda sounded like an excuse for a team who didn't turn up and shoulda ensured we kept the status quo by not getting beat at least.
Stats; shape 433-4411, ht 0-0, goals 60,76, poss 59%-41%, on target 3-4, off target 7-5, blocked 3-1, crosses 30-11, corners 10-3, o/s 2-1, tackles 10-14, fouls 10-14, yellows 0-1, red 0-1, subs 3-3. Gate 39,199 (away )
1 Ryan, 21 Schelotto, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong (29 Suttner), 11 Knockaert, 7 Kayal (25 Locadia), 24 Propper, 19 Izquierdo, 13 Gross, 17 Murray (16 Ulloa).
P 30 . W 8 D 10 L 12 . F 28 A 40. Pt 34 Po 11