Seamus Coleman acknowledged Everton "really let ourselves down" and must "look at ourselves in the mirror" following their spectacular late collapse against Bournemouth.

Sean Dyche's side, who were seeking their first points of the season, led 2-0 in the 87th minute at Goodison Park through goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

However, the hosts were undone by three crosses in the latter stages, with Antoine Semenyo pulling a goal back and Lewis Cook levelling, before Luis Sinisterra completed a sensational turnaround in the sixth minute of stoppage time. 

Boos rung around Goodison Park as the Toffees remained pointless and rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, and Coleman echoed the supporters' frustrations.

"We really let ourselves down in front of our fans," the skipper said. "We cannot take our foot off the gas at this level. Unfortunately, we did that.

"We cannot be conceding the goals that we did. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror."

Meanwhile, Dyche bemoaned the lack of responsibility amongst his players, as they became the first side in Premier League history to lose a game after leading by two or more goals in the 87th minute.

"We did so much right until they scored their first goal," the Everton head coach said. "The game should have been out of sight. We conceded one and then threw it away. I can't put my finger on it right now.

"They kept raining it forward and got their reward in the end. They were playing it forward and crossing it into the box, and we didn't deal with it. Simple stuff, but we threw it away. It is the third game we have thrown away this season.

"Everyone was looking at someone else to deal with things and that is when there is trouble. You could see the body language change. You have to see games through, and we have enough experience to do that, but today we didn't."

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola added: "It was the worst game we played this season. Everton deserved to win today, but the players kept pushing.

"I always have hope because this team has spirit. We have done it before and had some good comebacks. The spark of the first goal made us believe we could do it again."

Luis Sinisterra's last-gasp strike completed a remarkable turnaround for Bournemouth, who recovered from 2-0 down to stun Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park.

The hosts were two goals to the good until the 87th minute, when a spectacular collapse saw what appeared to be a routine victory snatched from under their noses, while leaving them rooted to the foot of the Premier League table.

With both sides seeking their first victory of the season, Everton took control of the contest with two goals inside the first 12 minutes of the second half.

Michael Keane drilled the Toffees ahead five minutes after the restart, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin rounded off a neat team move to double the lead and put his side on course for their first points of the campaign.

However, Bournemouth pulled a goal back through Antoine Semenyo three minutes from time, while Lewis Cook nodded in Sinisterra's cross to level in the 92nd minute. 

Sinisterra then remarkably sealed all three points in the sixth minute of stoppage time, as he ghosted in at the far post to head in from Justin Kluivert's centre. 

Data Debrief: Toffees make unwanted history after late collapse

Everton had not won a Premier League game in the month of August since beating Brighton in 2021, but they appeared well on course to finally end that drought.

However, the Toffees could not see out their healthy advantage and became the first side in Premier League history to lose a game having been two or more goals ahead in the 87th minute.

Furthermore, Sean Dyche's losing streak in August continues, with Everton now having failed to win all six such top-flight matches under his guidance.

Sean Dyche is "super-proud" of his Everton side, as well as the staff aiming to bolster his squad before the transfer window shuts.

Everton have lost their opening two Premier League games by an aggregate score of 7-0, and sit bottom of the early standings.

Dyche's team beat Doncaster Rovers 3-0 in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, and now prepare for an early-season crunch clash against Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

Everton, whose financial issues have been well documented, are still aiming to add to their squad before Friday's deadline, with midfielder Orel Mangala nearing a loan move from Lyon, while a winger is a target.

Uncertainty remains over Dominic Calvert-Lewin's future, too, but Dyche said he is content with the work everyone involved has done this window.

"We've been as active as we could be with the signings and trying to bring in players who can operate immediately and also grow into the club in the Premier League," he said.

"That's a big challenge. We want them to do that, and obviously the players that have been here before.

"I'm super-proud of everyone here and what they've given to the cause, that's for sure, and that remains.

"They've given a lot over the last couple of seasons, the players who have been here. The added players coming in, we want them to get that feeling and attachment to the club and the same work ethic to go and deliver."

Speaking specifically if Everton had received any offers for Calvert-Lewin, Dyche added:  "No, we're just carrying on as we always have done with Dom and all the other players, trying to stay open with our dialogue, that's it."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton - Iliman Ndiaye

Ndiaye netted on his first start of the season for Everton against Doncaster in midweek, and with Dyche's team having struggled to create much in the way of scoring opportunities in their opening league matches, the Senegal international should get a chance to impress against the Cherries.

Bournemouth - Antoine Semenyo

Semenyo has been involved in more shots following a ball carry than any other player so far in the Premier League this season (eight – five shots, three chances created).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Bournemouth head to Goodison Park having drawn both of their league fixtures, and Opta's model suggests that is the most likely outcome this time around. The last side to draw their opening three were Wolves in 2019-20, while the last to draw the first three 1-1 were West Brom in 2004-05.

Andoni Iraola has only won two of his 14 league matches in August across his spells with Mirandes, Rayo Vallecano and the Cherries (D5 L7), while Bournemouth are winless in nine overall in August (D4 L5) since beating Aston Villa on MD1 of the 2022-23 season.

Up to the night of August 30, Everton will have spent 14 days bottom of the Premier League in 2024-25, their most in a season since 2009-10 (also 14). If they are still in 20th after this game, they will be just the third side to be bottom of the table at the end of August in consecutive seasons, along with Wimbledon (1996-97/1997-98) and West Ham (2017-18/2018-19).

The omens are not great. Everton have lost all five of their Premier League games in August under Dyche without scoring a single goal. Indeed, Dyche has a win ratio of just 12.5% in August, the worst percentage of any manager to manage more than 10 games in August.

Everton are just the fourth Premier League side to lose their opening two matches in a season without scoring and shipping 7+ goals, along with Leicester in 2001-02 (nine conceded), Wigan Athletic in 2010-11 (10 conceded) and Norwich City in 2021-22 (eight conceded).

However, Everton have won six of their seven Premier League home games against Bournemouth, with the exception a 3-1 defeat on the final day of the 2019-20 campaign.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton - 35.9%

Bournemouth - 37.4%

Draw - 26.7%

Premier League sides cruised into the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday, but there was concern for Brighton over new signing Matt O'Riley.

Denmark midfielder O'Riley arrived from Celtic this week but lasted just nine minutes of his Seagulls debut, hobbling off with an apparent ankle injury against League One side Crawley Town.

That issue will leave Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler worried, though the performance from the rest of his side left little concern after a 4-0 victory.

Simon Adingra got things going in the first half before Jeremy Sarmiento, Julio Enciso and Adam Webster were on target after the interval in a routine second-round win.

In stark contrast to Brighton, Sean Dyche's Toffees are yet to win – or score – in the Premier League this season but dispatched League Two's Doncaster Rovers 3-0 at Goodison Park.

Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye both scored their first competitive goals for Everton before backup striker Beto sealed a routine victory, which came in similar fashion to Palace's 4-0 win over Norwich City.

Oliver Glasner's side are without victory in the top flight this campaign, too, but eased into the third round after Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice, along with goals for Eberechi Eze and Daichi Kamada, at Selhurst Park.

Leicester City, another side without a point to their name in the top division yet, also overcame Tranmere Rovers 4-0 thanks to goals from new signing Jordan Ayew, Stephy Mavididi, Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks.

Ange Postecoglou has told Yves Bissouma he has "still got work to do" to win back his full trust after marking his Tottenham return with a goal.

Bissouma was suspended by Spurs after filming himself inhaling nitrous oxide and missed Monday's 1-1 draw with Leicester City as a result.

However, he was recalled to the starting line-up for Saturday's visit of Everton and opened the scoring in a 4-1 win with a superb 20-yard strike.

Bissouma celebrated the goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by apologising to supporters and running over to embrace his manager in the dugout.

Asked about Bissouma after Saturday's match, Postecoglou told Sky Sports: "It's a good start. He's still got work to do. 

"I'm not doubting his footballing quality. We want to make him the best version of himself. That starts off the field as much as on it."

Bissouma fired a first-time shot past Jordan Pickford off the underside of the crossbar after being teed up by Dejan Kulusevski.

That was his first Spurs goal, two years after joining from Brighton, making him the 172nd different player to score in the Premier League for them.

Bissouma dictated play from midfield, with his 26 passes into the final third matched only by James Maddison among both sets of players.

And Maddison, who claimed an assist for Cristian Romero to put Spurs three goals up, hailed his team-mate after the comprehensive victory.

"We all know Yves' ability. He is a ridiculous player at times," Maddison told Sky Sports. "He has got a skill not many have. 

"The gaffer is a great man with good morals. [Bissouma] has to keep working hard. It's important we put into practice what the manager wants."

Maddison has now provided an assist in each of his last four Premier League games against Everton.

Son Heung-min was also on the scoresheet twice, meaning he has scored multiple goals in 20 different Premier League games for Tottenham.

Only Harry Kane has done so more often (47) for Spurs, with Son's double helping his side make it four points from their first two matches.

After beating Everton by four-or-more goals for the fourth time in the Premier League, Postecoglou insisted there is still more to come.

"The performance was good. It's really encouraging for us," he said. "There is more [to come]. We want to keep performing."

Asked if he will add to his squad before Friday's transfer deadline, Postecoglou added: "I think we have spent wisely. 

"The players we have brought in are going to be fantastic for this club. We will see [about more deals]. 

"There are still a couple of players we will look to move on. We'll stay alert."

Sean Dyche claimed Everton do not have the finances to make significant changes in the transfer market.

Everton were hammered 4-0 by Tottenham on Saturday, following on from a 3-0 defeat to Brighton last week.

Those defeats have left the Toffees rooted to the bottom of the early standings.

Everton have signed five players this summer, but with just a week remaining in the window, Dyche does not expect many more incomings.

"There aren’t any finances to change things, this is what we are," said Dyche when asked about potential signings.

Speaking to Everton's media channels, Dyche added: "It's a strange situation here. In my 19 months here, we build something, we have to go back down the hill to remind ourselves of the challenge and go back up again.

"Look at the last three seasons, we're trying to rebuild a team. I still expect more, I don't expect the first two games to go like this, that's fair and definitely my responsibility.

"The Everton fans don’t want excuses, I'm not prepared to make them, at the end of the day we've still got players here I feel can operate at this level.

"We're a good group of people, working hard so let's go and take it on and that’s got to change."

Everton are just the second side to lose their opening two Premier League games in three consecutive campaigns (excluding when a relegation was suffered in between), after Bournemouth between 2015-16 and 2017-18.

And after last week's capitulation at home to Brighton, Everton have lost their first two games in a top-flight season by 3+ goals for the first time in their history.

The Toffees' prospects in the market may change if they are able to sell players in the next week, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin among those linked with a move away. 

Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at the end of the season, and Dyche confirmed the club would likely have to listen to offers for the striker should they come in.

Neal Maupay, meanwhile, is reportedly of interest to Marseille.

Yves Bissouma scored on his return to the side and Son Heung-min netted twice as Tottenham trashed Everton 4-0 on Saturday for their first win of the 2024-25 Premier League season. 

Spurs were held 1-1 by Leicester City in their opening match but showed no such signs of profligacy against Everton, with Bissouma setting the tone inside 14 minutes with a 20-yard rocket – his first goal for the club. 

Jordan Pickford's howler 11 minutes later after dallying too long on the ball gifted Son a simple finish at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Everton, beaten 3-0 by Brighton in their opening match last week, caved under the pressure. 

Everton offered a little more attacking impetus in the second period with the arrival of recent signings Dame Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom, the latter forcing Guglielmo Vicario into a rare save.

However, Cristian Romero's towering header on his 100th Tottenham appearance put the hosts out of reach on 71 minutes, followed soon after by Son's second after a brilliant run from Micky van de Ven. 

Everton remain planted to the bottom of the early standings as one of four sides with zero points after two matches, while Tottenham have four points from their two games. 

Data Debrief: Everton remain pointless

Everton have now lost their opening two games by an aggregate 7-0 scoreline, with this marking the first occasion they have lost their first two games in a top-flight season by three-plus goals in their history.

It is a familiar losing feeling for the Toffees, as they become just the second side to taste defeat in their opening two Premier League games in three successive campaigns after Bournemouth between 2015-16 and 2017-18.

Son played a massive part in Tottenham's victory, with his double meaning he has scored multiple goals in 20 different Premier League games for Tottenham - only Harry Kane (47) has done so more times for the club.

Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Tottenham's £65million signing Dominic Solanke will miss this weekend's Premier League encounter against Everton. 

Solanke, who made his debut for the club in their 1-1 draw with Leicester City in their opening game of the new season, picked up an ankle injury in the East Midlands.

The 26-year-old made a promising start to his Spurs career at the King Power Stadium, recording the most shots (three) and shots on target (three), with his eight touches in the opposition box only bettered by Son Heung-min (10). 

It serves as a huge blow for Postecoglou as he aims to improve on their fifth place finish in the division last season, with Solanke's arrival thought to be the missing piece to his front line. 

His 22 goal involvements (19 goals and three assists) for the Cherries was the joint-ninth highest in the division, but Spurs will now have to turn to their other striking options for the visit of Sean Dyche's side. 

"Dom picked up a knock in the last game," Postecoglou said. "He got through the game, but it flared up the day after, and he'll miss the game tomorrow.

"It's an ankle injury. He copped it really early on, someone went across his ankle."

After full-time on Saturday, Solanke will have missed more league minutes for Spurs than he did in the entirety of 2023-24 (88).

The striker had 100% availability for Bournemouth last season, missing only five league games across three seasons for the Cherries.

Postecoglou also confirmed that midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur would be unavailable for the fixture following a serious head collision against the Foxes. 

The Uruguayan was stretchered off in the 78th minute after an incident inside the area, but there was more positive news on defender Pedro Porro, who was seen struggling during the contest. 

"Irrespective of concussion protocols, any head injury we’ve always got to be more conservative from my perspective," Postecoglou said.

"He’s bounced back really well, he’s done all the tests and feels good but we’ll take our time with Rodrigo to make sure he’s absolutely 100 per cent before we put him out there again. It’s unfortunate for Rodrigo as he had a good game on Monday night.

"Pedro [Porro] is fine, he trained this week and we have no other concerns."

There will be a return for Yves Bissouma to Spurs' ranks, however, after he was suspended for the trip to Leicester following a video surfacing on social media of the Mali international inhaling nitrous oxide. 

"Biss is available but we've got some options there. The whole idea of trying to bulk up the squad is for these situations.

"He's available for selection. The bridge building continues," Postecoglou said.

Eddie Howe said it is "business as usual" for Kieran Trippier despite reports suggesting the defender wishes to leave Newcastle United.

Trippier was left out of Howe's team for Newcastle's win over Southampton last week, with Tino Livramento preferred at right-back.

On Thursday, reports emerged that Trippier was looking to move away from St James' Park, with Everton having supposedly discussed a loan move for the 33-year-old.

Galatasaray and Atalanta were among the other clubs mooted to hold an interest in Trippier, who joined Newcastle from Atletico Madrid in 2022, but Howe reiterated his desire to keep the England international.

Ahead of facing his former club Bournemouth, Howe said: "The situation is business as usual. Tripps has trained really well this week.

"I'm surprised by a lot of the stories that have come out. A valuable member of the squad. His professionalism has been first class.

"He's trained really well since he came back from the Euros, I think he's only had two weeks of training hence the reason why he didn't start last week.

"He continues to be really valued by all of us. He's just trained as normal and he's been very good. I'm not really sure where this has come from. He's preparing as we all are for the game on Sunday."

Trippier also saw the team captain's armband taken by Bruno Guimaraes, though Howe insists he is still very much part of Newcastle's leadership group.

"Jamaal [Lascelles] has been promoted to club captain, so he's going to oversee the other captains," Howe added. 

"He's an incredible leader behind the scenes, and Kieran and Dan [Burn] in the leadership group continue their roles. Bruno has stepped up to be team captain, but we need eleven leaders on the pitch, regardless of who wears the armband."

No defender created as many chances in the Premier League last season as Trippier (65), who registered 10 assists in 28 top-flight appearances.

The former Tottenham full-back crafted 26 goalscoring opportunities from set-pieces, while his 212 crosses also topped the charts among Premier League defenders, with 69 of those being successful. 

Trippier played for Everton boss Sean Dyche during his time at Burnley, before leaving for Spurs in 2015, though the Toffees manager has suggested right-back is not a priority position for his team heading into the final week of the window.

Sean Dyche has conceded Everton are in a tough situation when it comes to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's future.

The striker, who joined Everton from Sheffield United in 2016, has less than a year remaining on his contract.

While a new deal is on the table, Calvert-Lewin – who played in Everton's 3-0 defeat to Brighton last week – is yet to put pen to paper.

And with just a week remaining in the transfer window and the club's finances tight, Dyche acknowledged Everton may have to cash in should an offer present itself.

"Any offer of a certain level would have to be looked at by the club," said Dyche, who hinted the budget for any more incoming players was tight.

"We are in a better position because of player trading and how much we have lowered the wages but it is not solved.

"Therefore there would still be a moment where the big people at the club get a phone call and then it is down to them."

Calvert-Lewin is still expected to lead Everton's line when they face Tottenham on Saturday.

The 27-year-old scored seven league goals last season, though he was the top flight's biggest expected goals (xG) underperformer, with his tally coming from 12.93 xG.

Indeed, Everton were the biggest xG underperformers as a team last season, scoring 15 goals fewer than would have been anticipated based on the quality of chances they created.

Dyche has other immediate concerns, however, with James Tarkowski, who has sustained an injury, and Ashely Young, who is suspended, joining a long list of absentees for the Spurs match.

"We are stretched unfortunately," said Dyche. "We are down to around 14 recognised first-team players at the minute – that is not perfect."

Everton were linked with a loan move for Kieran Trippier on Thursday, though Dyche played down those reports.

However, the club's ownership situation may soon become clearer, with American businessman John Textor, who holds a 45% stake in Crystal Palace, confirming he has put those shares up for sale in order to facilitate investing in Everton.

Textor confirmed he had lodged a bid to buy the remaining 55% of Palace, but suggested his fellow owners at Selhurst Park do not wish to sell up.

The American wrote on his website that he was attempting to sell his shares in the Eagles "so that we can pursue a relationship with the Everton club and community".

Ange Postecoglou is aiming to improve Tottenham's clinical edge as they chase their first win of the Premier League season against Everton on Saturday.

Spurs dominated the first half against Leicester City in their opener on Monday, but only left the King Power Stadium with a point after Jamie Vardy's equaliser in the 1-1 draw.

Postecoglou's side had 15 shots in that game, with seven of those on target, but only created 1.18 expected goals.

With Spurs aiming to challenge for a Champions League place this season, the Australian is keen to finetune their play in the final third sooner rather than later.

"Just really disappointed we lacked a little cutting edge in the front third, made some poor decisions, lacked some composure and didn't get the reward our football deserved," Postecoglou said.

"Everyone performed well, but ultimately that defeats the purpose of what we're trying to achieve and that's winning games of football and bridging the gap to the top teams.

"And the performance of the players in general was very, very good, but we need to turn those good performances into outcomes."

Meanwhile, Everton prop up the early standings in the league after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brighton last weekend.

Ashley Young's red card compounded their misery as they struggled to test the Seagulls in the final third, but James Tarkowski is confident they can stamp out the mistakes to kick-start their season this weekend.

"It's not a reality check. We know the level of this league and how difficult it is," Tarkowski said. "You'll get punished if you make mistakes.

"The foundation which we build on – and we will continue to do – a lot of it was on show. Minor details will cost you in this league and we’ll see that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham – James Maddison

Against no side does James Maddison have more Premier League assists than he does against Everton (four), with each of his four against the Toffees coming in his last three appearances.

He is also off the mark for the season, having assisted Pedro Porro's opener in their 1-1 draw with Leicester last time out.

Everton – Jack Harrison

Despite Everton suffering a heavy defeat to Brighton in their Premier League opener, Jack Harrison was a bright spark for the Toffees.

He had the most shots (three), the most touches in the box (six) and completed the most successful dribbles (three) of anyone in the Everton side.

MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN

Tottenham have won their first Premier League home match in five of the last six seasons, with the only exception being a 1-0 defeat to Everton in 2020-21.

However, Spurs have scored more Premier League goals against Everton both overall (102) and at home (63) than they have versus any other opponent.

After drawing their Premier League opener with Leicester, Spurs are looking to avoid not winning either of their first two games in a single campaign since 2015-16 (drew one, lost one).

Meanwhile, Everton have not won a Premier League game in the month of August in any of the last three seasons (drawn three, lost six), losing each of their last four such games without scoring. Their last such victory was in 2021 at Brighton (2-0).

Sean Dyche's side do not have the best record against teams from the capital, winning just three of their last 20 such top-flight matches (drawn six, lost 11), though those three wins all came consecutively between September and November last season.

After winning four consecutive Premier League away games between October and December last season, Everton are now winless in their last 11 on the road (drawn four, lost seven). Nine of those have come in 2024, leaving the Toffees as the only ever-present side over the two campaigns without an away win this calendar year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Tottenham – 55.3%

Draw – 23%

Everton – 21.6%

Danny Welbeck hailed Kaoru Mitoma as a "special talent" as Brighton and Hove Albion got off a flier under Fabian Hurzeler with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Everton.

Mitoma missed the final few months of last season with a lower back injury but was on target at Goodison Park alongside Welbeck and Simon Adingra as the Seagulls started the Premier League campaign in convincing fashion.

Former Manchester United and Arsenal forward Welbeck was particularly impressed by what Mitoma brought to the team.

In quotes reported by the club's official website, he said: "He is a special talent and we all know the ability he’s got.

"In one v ones there’s not many better in the Premier League and it’s great to have him back and adding to the firepower we’ve got."

Aged only 31, Hurzeler is the Premier League's youngest-ever permanent manager and he was proud of the defensive stability his side showed on Merseyside.

"It was a tough game, especially the first minutes it was exactly what we expected it to be at Goodison Park but we survived together, we defended compact, especially in the box, especially the crosses, there was a lot of crosses from Everton," he told Sky Sports.

"Then also good moments in possession, not so much in the first minutes but then after a quiet time in the game we controlled the game, had some good actions with the ball.

"In the end I think it's a deserved win for us and I'm really happy for the club."

Toffees boss Sean Dyche felt his find were punished for a lack of clinical edge in the final third.

"Certainly the way we performed in the first half was I thought decent. But we know one of the biggest challenges is finding the clinical moments which we didn't do," he said.

"The hardest thing to affect is goal scoring. We've been in a situation this summer where we've brought in players who we think can be more effective but they haven't experienced the Premier League."

Fabian Hurzeler made a fantastic start to his Brighton tenure as the Seagulls opened their Premier League campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over 10-man Everton at Goodison Park.

Having endured a difficult start on Merseyside, Brighton found their groove with goals from Karou Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra securing an impressive triumph.

Mitoma rounded off a fine first-half move after being picked out by debutant Yankuba Minteh, with Welbeck adding a second in the 56th minute. 

Everton’s chances of a comeback were all but halted 10 minutes later as Ashley Young was given his marching orders for a pull on goalscorer Mitoma, with Adingra adding a third four minutes from time before Yasin Ayari saw a goal awarded on-pitch but overturned after a VAR review

The result sees Brighton – at least temporarily – top the pile, with Everton propping up the table.

Data Debrief: Hurzeler impresses on debut

Hurzeler became the Premier League’s youngest ever coach when he replaced Roberto De Zerbi in June, and his side's performance will excite Brighton supporters. 

The Seagulls outperformed their expected goals (xG) by 1.44 from their 10 shots, nine of those came inside the box with five on target. 

Welbeck's goal and assist saw him register his 10th goal involvement against the Toffees (five goals and five assist), more than he has managed against in the Premier League.

Everton, meanwhile, were dealt their biggest defeat in the opening game of a Premier League season since 2009-10, when they lost 6-1 to Arsenal under David Moyes.

Fabian Hurzeler made a fantastic start to his Brighton tenure as the Seagulls opened their Premier League campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over 10-man Everton at Goodison Park.

Having endured a difficult start on Merseyside, Brighton found their groove with goals from Karou Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra securing an impressive triumph.

Mitoma rounded off a fine first-half move after being picked out by debutant Yankuba Minteh, with Welbeck adding a second in the 56th minute. 

Everton’s chances of a comeback were all but halted 10 minutes later as Ashley Young was given his marching orders for a pull on goalscorer Mitoma, with Adingra adding a third four minutes from time before Yasin Ayari saw a goal awarded on-pitch but overturned after a VAR review

The result sees Brighton – at least temporarily – top the pile, with Everton propping up the table.

Data Debrief: Hurzeler impresses on debut

Hurzeler became the Premier League’s youngest ever coach when he replaced Roberto De Zerbi in June, and his side's performance will excite Brighton supporters. 

The Seagulls outperformed their expected goals (xG) by 1.44 from their 10 shots, nine of those came inside the box with five on target. 

Welbeck's goal and assist saw him register his 10th goal involvement against the Toffees (five goals and five assist), more than he has managed against in the Premier League.

Everton, meanwhile, were dealt their biggest defeat in the opening game of a Premier League season since 2009-10, when they lost 6-1 to Arsenal under David Moyes.

Sean Dyche is ready for Everton to put last season's challenges behind them by making a positive start to the Premier League against Brighton on Saturday.

Everton had to contend with two points deductions last season, but an impressive run of results at the end of the campaign ensured they comfortably avoided relegation.

While they did not make the best start to pre-season, going winless in their first three games, they finished on a positive note, with a win against Preston North End and a draw with Roma.

Though they will be without key players for their opener, including Jarrad Branthwaite, Dyche is optimistic about what the season will bring.

"You get the sense that, after last season's challenges and the positive end, I think there is more calmness and positivity," Dyche said in his press conference.

"The reality of knowing the truth of what the situation is helps. But generally, being up and around people there is a better feeling.

"We have been trying to bring in players who fit into the club. We have worked hard collectively with the scouts to get the right players. The only balance to that is that they don't have much Premier League experience, so it is how quick they can be effective and adapt."

Meanwhile, Brighton are preparing for their first campaign under new manager Fabian Hurzeler.

They won all four of their pre-season games, scoring 14 goals and conceding just three, and James Milner believes the German has already started to make his mark.

"There is a good mix of the last manager [Roberto De Zerbi], who was build-up orientated, but maybe a bit of Jurgen Klopp thrown in," Milner told Sky Sports.

"The manager has been very clear about what he wants from us as a team and individuals. He has put his own stamp and intensity on things, he wants us to play front foot with and without the ball."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Jordan Pickford

Everton have lost their opening Premier League match in each of the last two seasons – both 1-0 at home – to Chelsea (2022-23) and Fulham (2023-24).

If they are to avoid starting their campaign with a defeat for a third year in a row for the first time since a run of four between 2008 and 2011, Jordan Pickford could be the key by leading from the back.

Brighton – Evan Ferguson

Evan Ferguson, then aged 18, scored in Brighton's 4-1 win against Luton Town on the opening weekend of the Premier League last season.

The only teenager to score on MD1 in more than one campaign is Michael Owen (1997-98 and 1998-99).

MATCH PREDICTION: EVERTON WIN

Everton won their first four home Premier League games against Brighton but are since winless in their last three against them at Goodison Park (drawing one, losing two).

However, Dyche's side have won five of their last eight Premier League games (drawn one, lost two), having been winless in their previous 13 (drawn six, lost seven). Indeed, since the first victory in that run on April 6, only four teams have won more Premier League points than the Toffees (16).

Meanwhile, Brighton lost their first match in three of their first four Premier League campaigns but have begun their last three seasons with victory. The Seagulls are looking to win their opening league game in four consecutive seasons for the first time ever.

They struggled at the end of last season though, losing their final two games to Chelsea and Manchester United, while they have not lost three consecutive league games since a run of six between February and March 2022.

The team scoring first has never lost a Premier League meeting between Everton and Brighton (won 10, drawn three), although the Toffees went 1-0 up in both games last season and both ended 1-1.

New manager Hurzeler will be hoping to get off to a winning start for his first game in charge. Born in February 1993, he will be the first manager to take charge of a Premier League game who was born after the competition started.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 40.4%

Draw – 26.6%

Brighton – 33%