EVERTON - Home, Falmer Years: 17/18 - 20/21 Prem, seasons 7 - 10.
Manager; Carlo Ancelotti (2019) - Wins = 38.0% @ Aug '20 . Goodison, ave gate; 39K, cap; 39.2K . Nickname: Toffees . Shirt: dark blue.
Prem Lge record from 11/12 to 20/21; 7, 6, 5, 11, 11, 7 / 8, 8, 12, 8 @ 20/4/21 . . . . Best finish = 5th '14, Worst finish = 12th '20.
C21; top four - '05, top six - 5 times, top ten - 7 times . Stayed up - 3 times in bottom six. '01, '02, '04.
Points last decade: 54, 56, 63, 72, 47, 47, 61, 49, 54, 49, (49).
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).

20/21 odds at start: top six 5/1, bottom half 11-10 . Sack Ancelotti 20/1.
Run in from 12/4/21: Brighton 0-0 (A), Spurs 2-2 (H), Villa (A), Arsenal (A), Villa (H), West Ham (A), Sheff Utd (H), Wolves (H), Man City (A).
Run in *forecast @ 9/4/21: 47 > *61pts, Max = 74 . Actual = 49 . Po = 8th, Best poss = 3rd . Actual po = 8th

EVERTON away;
Seasn . W D L . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . . W% L%
20/21 - 9 3 03 . 21 15 +6 .. 30 08 = 2.00 61.2 . 60.0 20.0 - C Ancelotti.
19/20 - 5 3 11 . 20 35 -15 . 18 12 = 0.94 36.7 . 26.3 57.8 - Marco Silva & Carlo Ancelotti, finish 27/7/20.
18/19 - 5 5 09 . 24 25 -01 . 20 08 = 1.05 37.0 . 26.3 47.3 - Marco Silva.
17/18 - 3 6 10 . 16 36 -20 . 15 08 = 0.78 30.6 . 15.7 52.6 - Ronald Koeman & Sam Allardyce
16/17 - 4 6 09 . 20 28 -08 . 18 07 = 0.94 29.5 . 21.0 47.3 - Ronald Koeman.
15/16 - 5 9 05 . 24 25 -01 . 24 11 = 1.26 51.0 . 26.3 26.3 - Roberto Martinez & David Unsworth.
14/15 - 5 4 10 . 21 29 -08 . 19 11 = 1.00 40.4 . 26.3 52.6 - Roberto Martinez.
13/14 - 8 6 05 . 23 20 +3 .. 30 05 = 1.57 41.7 . 42.1 26.3 - Roberto Martinez.

Albion v Everton (H) from 17/18: 1-1, 1-0, 3-2, 0-0 . . W = 2 D = 2 L = 0

Season10, 4th Premier League (H) Mon 12/4/21 - 0-0
Covid attendance restrictions: no fans @ post-lockdown (Pre-lockdown: Tier 3/4/5 = 0 fans, T2 = 2000, T1 = 4000).
This fixture was resheduled as the Monday evening elite match (in an empty stadium due to coronavirus protocols) covered by pay tv cameras. Entertaining teams with the status of our current northwest visitors had become commomplace over three previous Prem seasons. Albion's ambitions to move up the table and therefore aspire to be among equals, required getting results from these contests in order to turn dreams into reality. Our record here against Toffees was positve, albeit of close encounters, especially that third kind when something of a fluke - see season9 below. The current situation however appeared less than appropriate for developing desires. Home form pre-kickoff was: lld ddl dld dwd llw. So on the face of it, another win was now necessary for respectable domestic numbers to apply at end of the run-in by mid May. This term's continued absence of crowds had affected H & A results to an extent that many managers considered there was no home advantage prior to kickoff. And some strange scores reflected that trend throughout the Prem. Albion mostly appeared to be on the wrong side of fine lines, although these stats couldn't predict what might happen today. As usual it was a case of scoring more than conceding to obtain three points.
In the event it finished as a no score draw, although Albion were satisfied with receiving that single point to push on 7pts clear of the d-z and gain a place to boot via superior goal difference. See stats below for break down of play - it shows yet another case of flattering to deceive in front of goal this term. In truth both outfits had chances to win the game but each failed to hit the net. BHA took positives from recording a 10th clean sheet, by comparison this was balanced in registering a 9th fail to score. Hosts went for the win but were pretty much off target, while visitors sat back and tried to snatch it on the counter. It wasn't exactly a snore draw, more of an ever so slight bore. Seagulls were left groping towards where they needed to be come late May, which was ahead of other relegation candidates. It's never over until it is but so far so good. Not much more to say bar let's get it done sooner rather than later and relax a bit. Potter could then try a mix & match eleven from various squad members he sees as part of next season's campaign. Perhaps in this way work in progress would become a means to consolidate as a mid-table club free from constant fears of relegation.
Stats: ht 0-0, goals nil, poss 55%-45%, on target 3-1, off target 20-7, corners 10-3, fouls 12-7, yellows 1-2, subs 2-2, shape 343-532 .
Weather: cold.
Team: 26 Sanchez, 3 White, 5 Dunk Y, 34 Veltman, 13 Gross, 8 Bissouma, 14 Lallana, 15 Moder (33 Burn 87),
11 Trossard, 9 Maupay (16 Jahanbakhsh 87), 18 Welbeck . Bench: 23 Steele, 4 Webster, 10 Mac Allister, 17 Alzate, 19 Izquierdo,
24 Propper, 29 Zeqiri . Squad: 6 Karbownik, 22 Tau, 25 Caiceo . Injured: 2 Lamptey, 7 Connolly, 20 March . MoM: White
Prem: P31 . W2 D8 L6 . F16 A19 . W5 D4 L6 . F17 A19 . Pt33 Po15 = 1.06pt/gm. Wins = 22.5%, Loss = 38.7%

Everton:
Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
Total: 31 . 14 07 10 . 43 40 03 . 49 8 = 1.58 . 45.1 32.2
3qtrs: 29 . 14 05 10 . 41 38 03 . 47 8 = 1.62 . 48.2 34.4
Hfwy: 19 . 10 03 06 . 29 24 05 . 33 8 = 1.73 . 52.6 31.5
Start: 10 . 05 01 04 . 19 17 02 . 16 8 = 1.60 . 50.0 40.0 - C Ancelotti.
EFL Cup: Man Utd 0-2 (H) q-f, West Ham 4-1 (H) R4, Fleetwood 2-5 (A) R3, Salford 3-0 (H) R2.
FA Cup: Man City 0-2 (H) q-f, Spurs 5-4 aet (H) R5, Sheff Wed 3-0 (H) R4, Rotherham 2-1 (H) R3.
Nov: at finish of the first quarter, Everton were 8th inthe Prem table, 5pts off the top two.
Jan: at the halfway stage Toffees were 7th and 2pts off a Europa League place.
Mar: threequarters completed and in 8th but 4pt behind 5th.
May:

Season9, 3rd Premier League (H) Sat 26/10/19 - W 3-2 ~ Gross, Maupay, og.
This fixture registered completion of the first quarter (Q1), to record start of our third Prem campaign but so far results were a tad mixed to say least. Albion had already entertained Spurs and visited Man City & Chelsea, representing a quarter of so-called big-six games now done. Those previously accumulated three points accounted for a third of our total to date, which merely averaged 1.00pt/gm overall prior to kickoff. So earning points from bulk of teams around us was immediately required to rebalance the equation and put Seagulls on track for a minimum target 20pt by end of the year. Graham Potter had most of the squad fit and available, so was expected to field a strong side. Just who were to be selected was open to conjecture because for one reason or another, he had not chosen the same starting eleven for two successive matches as yet this term. Thus it suggested GP might still not know which optimum team or shape to put out on any given day. Fans knew he wanted more possession, forward passing and expansive play than previously in the elite but at what cost? The bottom line appeared to be position = points, where p = goals scored.
Brighton fans have watched hundreds of matches down decades of seasons and some go according to script, while others hang in balance. Every so often there is a game with an unpredictable moment or two that allows fickle finger of fate to point. A goal scored by opposition deep into stoppage but in their own net gave Albion all three points (94min). Earlier, VAR granted Seagulls a way back into a contest they were losing, when informing Ref that a penalty should be awarded to hosts. Connolly had been fouled from behind so Maupay stepped up to equalise (80min). From the get go locals faced visitors press but went ahead from a set piece. Gross slammed a f-k over the wall to beat the keeper (15min). But moments later travellers netted from a corner, the ball diverting off Webster (20min). After turnaround Albion had a goal ruled out for offside then Toffees went ahead via their subs run (74min). Potter had changed shape to 343 and introduced subs but needed a break to rescue a point. Next, VAR gave him that opportunity - you couldn't make it up. Potter said, 'we're still going to get harsh refereeing decisions because ultimately it's someones opinion and part of the game.' Brighton fans went home wet but happy, reflecting on how lady luck decided to grant us rub of the green twice and bestow our first ever winning Prem goal in time added on. If you watch enough football it was gonna happen one day... and did, today.
Stats; shape 442-4231, h-t 1-1, goals 15,80,94-20,74, poss 55%-45%, on target 4-6, off target 3-2, blocks 1-2, crosses 8-11, corners 0-5, o/s 3-2, tackles 18-17, fouls 12-12, yellows 2-1, subs 3-3 . Gate 30,529, away 2894 . MoM - Alzate . Weather - wet & windy.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya (21 Schelotto 65), 15 Webster, 5 Dunk, 33 Burn, 46 Alzate, 6 Stephens Y, 24 Propper Y, 13 Gross (11 Trossard 65),
7 Maupay, 44 Connolly (17 Murray 80) . Bench - 27 Button, 14 Balogun, 8 Bissouma, 20 March.
Ban - 18 Mooy . Squad - 3 Bong, 16 Jahanbakhsh . Injured - 4 Duffy, 19 Izquierdo, 30 Bernardo.
Prem P10 . W2 D2 L1 . F8 A6 . W1 D1 L3 . F4 A8 . Pt10 Po12 = 1.20pt/gm. Wins = 30%, Loss = 40%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm . . W% L%
Total: 38 . 13 10 15 . 44 56 -12 . 49 12 = 1.28 . 34.2 39.4 - C Ancelotti, finish 27/7/20.
3qtrs: 29 . 10 07 12 . 37 46 -09 . 37 12 = 1.27 . 34.4 41.3 - C Ancelotti. PREM SUSPENDED
Hfwy: 19 . 06 04 09 . 21 29 -08 . 22 13 = 1.15 . 31.5 47.3 - M Silva.
Start: 10 . 03 01 06 . 10 16 -06 . 10 16 = 1.00 . 30.0 60.0 - M Silva.
EFL Cup: 5th rnd - Leicester 2pen4 2-2 (H), 4th rnd - Watford 2-0 (H), 3rd rnd - Sheff Wed 0-2 (A), 2nd rnd - Lincoln 2-4 (A)
FA Cup: Liverpool 1-0 (A) R3.
Aug: into top six on goal difference, which is neutral at this stage.
Oct: adrift of bulk of the div and merely two points above d-z by end of start Q1.
New Year: changed manager and tough 2020 ahead. Out of FA Cup to youth on Merseyside.
March: 12th position when PL suspended.
July: merely a mid table finish and owners must have expected better.

Season8 2nd Premier League (H) Sat 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 . Weather - cloudy, breezy, dry.
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). Bench - 23 Steele, 3 Bong, 14 Balogun, 7 Kayal, 8 Bissouma, 42 Gyokeres.
Prem P20 . W5 D3 L2 . F15 A11 . W2 D1 L7 . F7 A16 . Pt25 Po13 = 1.25pt/gm. Wins = 35%, Loss = 45%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . . W% L%
Total; 38 . 15 09 14 . 54 46 08 . 54 08 = 1.42 . 39.4 36.8 - Marco Silva
3qtrs; 29 . 10 07 12 . 39 39 00 . 37 10 = 1.27 . 34.4 41.3
Hfwy; 19 . 07 06 06 . 31 29 02 . 27 08 = 1.42 . 36.8 31.5
Start; 10 . 04 03 03 . 16 14 02 . 15 09 = 1.50 . 40.0 30.0 - 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; still competing to be 7th at the death.

Season7 1st 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).
Prem P8 . W2 D2 L4 . F6 A10. Pt8 Po14 = 1.00pt/gm . Wins = 25.0%, Loss = 50.0%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . . Pt Po pt/gm . . W% L%
Total; 38 . 13 10 15 . 44 58 -14 . 49 08 = 1.28 . 34.2 39.4 - Sam Allardyce.
3qtrs; 29 . 09 07 13 . 33 49 -16 . 34 11 = 1.17 . 31.0 44.8
Hfwy; 19 . 07 05 07 . 24 30 -06 . 26 09 = 1.36 . 36.8 36.8
Start; 10 . 02 02 06 . 07 20 -13 . 08 18 = 0.80 . 20.0 60.0 - 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.

EVERTON PREVIOUS PREM;
Seasn . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . . W% L%
19/20 - 13 10 15 . 44 56 -12 . 49 12 = 1.28 . 34.2 39.4 - C Ancelotti. PL SUSPENDED, complete @ 27/7/20.
Another manager but not perhaps the desired outcome. Worst placing this century.
18/19 - 15 09 14 . 54 46 08 . 54 8 = 1.42 . 39.4 36.8 - Marco Silva
Didn't confirm being best of the rest after the regular top six. And bit of a hit & miss Prem campaign without real progress.
17/18 - 13 10 15 . 44 58 -14 . 49 8 = 1.28 . 34.2 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 - 17 10 11 . 62 44 18 . 61 7 = 1.60 . 44.7 28.9 - 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 - 11 14 13 . 59 55 04 . 47 11 = 1.23 . 28.9 34.2 - 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 - 12 11 15 . 48 50 -02 . 47 11 = 1.23 . 31.5 39.4 - Roberto Martinez.
Trips into Europe seemed to affect the squad's domestic outcome, as RM juggled limited players against longer fixture lists.
13/14 - 21 09 08 . 61 49 22 . 72 5 = 1.89 . 55.2 21.0 - 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, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, q-f.
LEAGUE CUP; 3rd rnd, 3rd, s-f, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, q-f, q-f.
EUROPA LEAGUE; nq, last 16, nq, nq, gp stage, nq, nq, nq.
* * * * *
Falmer years from 2011 to 2017, no meetings.

Withdean Era - from 1999 to 2011, no meetings.

Everton - Away, Falmer Years: 17/18 - 20/21 Prem, seasons 7 - 10.
EVERTON @ home; Goodison Park.
Seasn . W D L . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . . W% L%
20/21 - 05 4 7 . 22 25 -03 . 19 08 = 1.18 38.7 . 31.2 43.7 - C Ancelotti.
19/20 - 08 7 4 . 24 21 03 . 31 12 = 1.63 63.2 . 42.1 21.0 - Carlo Ancelotti, finish 27/7/20.
18/19 - 10 4 5 . 30 21 09 . 34 08 = 1.78 62.9 . 52.6 26.3 - Marco Silva.
17/18 - 10 4 5 . 28 22 06 . 34 08 = 1.78 69.3 . 52.6 26.3 - Ronald Koeman & Sam Allardyce.
16/17 - 13 4 2 . 42 16 26 . 43 07 = 2.26 70.4 . 68.4 10.5 - Ronald Koeman.
15/16 - 06 5 8 . 35 30 05 . 23 11 = 1.21 48.9 . 31.5 42.1 - Roberto Martinez & David Unsworth.
14/15 - 07 7 5 . 27 21 06 . 28 11 = 1.47 59.5 . 36.8 26.3 - Roberto Martinez.
13/14 - 13 3 3 . 38 19 19 . 42 05 = 2.21 58.3 . 68.4 15.7 - Roberto Martinez.

Everton v Albion (A) from 17/18: 2-0, 3-1, 1-0, 4-2 . . W = 0 D = 0 L = 4

Season10, 4th Premeir League (A) Sat 3/10/20 - L 4-2 ~ Maupay, Bissouma.
Match played behind closed doors - no fans attending.
October already but this was merely our second away fixture. Albion were on travels once more having begun this delayed fourth Prem campaign during mid September under ongoing Covid19 pandemic protocols. We were back in Liverpool where over three previous seasons we'd not exactly performed with credit. But being at readiness on the blue side of Stanley Park again, at least on paper, gave us a chance of getting a result - given Seagulls desire to compete as a midtable club in future. Scoring goals here and generally on the road, was something in need of improvement. So to make a plan come together BHA had to get shooting boots on then create and take several oportunities. Veteran legend Murray had gone out on season's loan, in the Championship too, so current scorers Maupay, Connolly, Trossard & March had a fair lot to aspire & achieve before matching anything like his BHA Prem goals record. At time of kickoff, signing a new young Swiss striker in Andi Zeqiri for the first-team squad had just been completed before international transfer deadline day.
Albion bombed here once more and continued that poor record at Goodison Park. It was largely of our own failings that Toffees hit four and appeared no stick in the mud outfit on a very wet afternoon. Defensive errors were responsible for the three goals prior to halftime; two by hosts (16 & 45min) and the other from Maupay following keeper's ricket (41min). Lamptey didn't come out for the second period, Seagulls going to 433 but they were soon two behind from another rearguard calamity (52min). A fourth went in with a case of deja vu (70min), which summed up visitors display anyhow. BHA went to 442 but were making the same mistakes time & again... and again. Bissouma got a consolation at the death with a superb volley from distance, worthy of a very late winner in different circumstances. Potter said we had got to improve (stating the obvious), while stay at home Brighton fans were on socials having a drip about all those goals (10) conceded in the Prem so far. Albion did score (8) for the fourth Prem match running, however we'd have required scores of 4-3 twice at home and 4-5 here to collect all the points lost to date. Makes you think... that's a non starter for taking us out of the bottom six and into the top ten by next May.
Stats: ht 2-1, goals 16,45,52,70-41,92, poss 43%-57%, on target 6-3, off target 2-3, blocks 3-5, o/s 0-2, crosses 12-16, corners 3-10, tackles 18-19, fouls 13-14, yellows 0-1, subs 3-3 . Weather: continuous rain.
Team: 1 Ryan, 2 Lamptey (34 Veltman 46), 3 White, 5 Dunk, 4 Webster, 20 March, 8 Bissouma, 17 Alzate Y (13 Gross 82),
7 Connolly (14 Lallana 66), 9 Maupay, 11 Trossard . Bench: 23 Steele, 30 Bernardo, 33 Burn, 10 Mac Allister.
Squad: 19 Izquierdo, 26 Sanchez, 41 Sanders, 49 Molumby . Injured: 16 Jahanbakhsh, 24 Propper, 21 Andone, 31 Walton . MoM: March.
Prem: P4 . W0 D0 L2 . F3 A6 . W1 D0 L1 . F5 A4 . Pt3 Po15 = 0.75pt/gm. Wins = 25.0%, Loss = 75.0%

Season9, 3rd Premier League (A) Sat 11/1/20 - L 1-0.
The Prem resumed for 2020 this January weekend following traditional New Year 3rd round FA Cup ties played a week before, when elite & Championship clubs joined those assorted lower league outfits remaining in the all-encompassing knockout competition. Both these Prem clubs had just been knocked out in that very round, where each had failed to score: Brighton 0-1 @ home to C'ship opposition & Everton 1-0 away on Merseyside. Therefore a reaction was expected from either outfit in order to get back on track pdq. Also the transfer window was now open and Brighton fans regularly checked multimedia outlets for any news of ins & outs. General thoughts were that at least an additional striker was required, given Albion legend Glenn Murray hadn't even figured in the match-day 18 lately. Graham Potter's squad was considered a work in progress, bearing in mind lack of PL apps by some players introduced during 2019. His best eleven was a mix of experience and youth, so needed a full season to get up to speed as an integral unit. Of course this assumed selected personnel capable of reaching necessary physical & mental skills required. Today would be a good test of current standards.
Albion came up short in a single goal game that was pretty basic Prem fare bar the skillful home winner (38min). Visitors were not at the races in the first half, suffering from lack of cohesion and team coordination from back to front. After the break Potter changed shape and moved guys around but Seagulls were always chasing the game. On the hour mark a double swap inserted Gross & Alzate and later vetran Murray (who knew?) entered the fray. VAR was consulted on a couple of occasions but not much else happened to actually alter the score onging. Motd highlights that evening concentrated on Toffees - however Seagulls flattered to deceive in the final analysis. We merely looked a lesser Championship outfit in the final third, quite lightweight and lacking a bit of grit. Brighton fans realised this team wasn't cutting the mustard, missing that edge to get us precious points on the road. It was all big pr talk beforehand on the official web site/app and plenty of excuses given for failure afterwards. Potter was left in the same position as Hughton over the last two seasons, with a huge challenge to eventually hit basic target totals by May. Whether he could prove as good as his predecessor and thereby too become a pukka Prem coach was yet to be determined.
Stats: shape 442-343, ht 1-0, goal 38, poss 53%-47%, on target 6-2, off target 4-6, blocks 4-1, o/s 2-2, crosses 27-14, corners 4-3, tackles 22-14, fouls 7-7, yellows 2-1, subs 3-3 . MoM - Ryan . Gate - 38,772 away 1408 . Weather - dank.
1 Ryan, 15 Webster, 4 Duffy Y, 5 Dunk, 22 Montoya (13 Gross 62), 6 Stephens (17 Murray 72), 24 Propper, 30 Bernardo,
16 Jahanbakhsh (46 Alzate 62), 7 Maupay, 11 Trossard. Bench - 27 Button, 8 Bissouma, 20 March, 21 Schelotto.
Squad - 3 Bong, 14 Balogun, 44 Connolly . Injured - 18 Mooy, 19 Izquierdo, 33 Burn.
Prem: P22 . W4 D4 L3 . F15 A12 . W2 D2 L7 . F10 A18 . Pt24 Po14 = 1.09pt/gm. Wins = 27.2%, Loss = 45.4%

Season8 2nd Premier League (A) Sat 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 . Weather - autumnal.
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk Y10, 3 Bong, 16 Jahanbakhsh, 6 Stephens, 7 Kayal (10 Andone 78), 19 Izquierdo (11 Knockaert 63),
20 March (8 Bissouma 70) . Subs - 23 Steele, 30 Bernardo, 14 Balogun, 9 Locadia.
Prem P11 . W3 D1 L1 . F8 A6 . W1 D1 L4 . F4 A10 . Pt14 Po12 = 1.27pt/gm. Wins = 36.3%, Loss = 45.4%

Season7 1st 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.
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).
P30 . W8 D10 L12 . F28 A40. Pt34 Po11 = 1.13pt/gm . Wins = 26.6, Loss = 40.0%
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Falmer years from 2011 to 2017, no visits.

Noughties last there - Withdean era, no visits.