Everton thrash Brighton to ease relegation fears

Everton put in a commanding performance against Brighton, securing a huge 5-1 win at AMEX stadium. 

The Toffees knew that a win would see them climb out of the relegation zone and with just 34 seconds in, Alex Iwobi stole possession from kick-off and fed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who turned and found Abdoulaye Doucoure for the simplest of goals.

Doucoure then scored again in the 24th minute with a stunning volley from a Dwight McNeil cross.

If anything could of been worse in the first half, it happened six minutes later as Jason Steele inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net from a Dwight McNeil cross.

De Zerbi made changes at half-time, and the hosts threatened to reduce the deficit but were denied by  Jordan Pickford and the crossbar that denied Alexis Mac Allister in the 66th minute.

Dwight McNeil put the game to bed in the 78th minute when he rounded the Brighton keeper to tap into an empty net for 4-0. 

Mac Allister hit back with a consolation for Brighton, but McNeil lashed in a late fifth to round off an impressive day for the visitors.

Sean Dyche's side put on an impressive performance to move out of the relegation zone in style and secure a crucial three points, climbing up to 16th in the table, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Leicester City. 

On the other hand, the result was a blow to Brighton's hopes of qualifying for Europe. Despite their recent good form, they were unable to match Everton's intensity and quality on the day, missing out on the chance to move above Tottenham into sixth place.