Everton moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with a surprising 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday, whereas Leicester’s hopes of survival are hanging by a thread after a 5-3 defeat at Fulham.
Brighton are within the hunt to qualify for Europe for the primary time within the membership’s historical past, however a heavy schedule seemed to have taken its toll on Roberto De Zerbi’s males as they have been torn aside by an Everton aspect that had not received away since October.
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The Toffees had the dream begin as Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring after simply 34 seconds.
Doucoure’s good volley from Dwight McNeil’s cross doubled Everton’s lead earlier than Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele deflected McNeil’s cross into his personal web.
De Zerbi responded by making 4 halftime substitutions and Brighton peppered the Everton objective however have been caught out on the counter-attack when McNeil confirmed nice poise to spherical Steele to make it 4-0.
Alexis Mac Allister lastly pulled a objective again after Kaoru Mitoma’s preliminary effort got here off the put up.
But McNeil fittingly had the ultimate say as he rounded off an excellent efficiency in stoppage time by smashing into the highest nook.
A primary win in eight video games lifts Sean Dyche’s males two factors away from the drop zone.
Brighton stay in seventh, two factors behind Tottenham with two video games in hand, however their exterior shot at a top-four end now seems gone.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Nathan Patterson of Everton celebrates victory after defeating Brighton & Hove Albion in the course of the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton FC at American Express Community Stadium on May 08, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
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FOXES SHIP FIVE IN EIGHT-GOAL SHOOT-OUT
Leicester boss Dean Smith admitted his gamers is likely to be fighting the pressures of a relegation battle after a disastrous defensive show at Craven Cottage.
The Foxes, who received the Premier League in beautiful trend in 2016 and lifted the FA Cup two years in the past, are staring relegation within the face.
Leicester stay exterior the relegation zone on objective distinction for now however may finish the day within the backside three ought to Nottingham Forest keep away from defeat at residence to Southampton.
Smith’s males additionally face a tricky run-in with Champions League-chasing Liverpool and Newcastle to return earlier than ending the season at residence to West Ham.
Only Leeds and Bournemouth have conceded extra objectives than Leicester within the Premier League and defensive deficiencies have been once more their undoing at Craven Cottage.
Goals from Willian, Carlos Vinicius and Tom Cairney put Fulham 3-0 up earlier than halftime.
“The first-half is what killed us,” stated Smith.
“You can’t give three-goal leads at this degree and anticipate to return again.”
“Some of them are struggling mentally with the pressures, however that’s for me and the teaching employees to kind out and decide the precise staff.”
Cairney and Willian struck once more both aspect of Harvey Barnes’ comfort to make it 5-1.
Jamie Vardy additionally noticed Leicester’s first penalty of the sport saved by Bernd Leno in an action-packed second-half earlier than the guests pulled two extra objectives again within the ultimate 10 minutes.
James Maddison transformed a second penalty earlier than Barnes pounced to make it 5-3 after a calamitous defensive mix-up between Shane Duffy and Leno.
But it was too little, too late for Leicester who face an anxious wait to see the place they are going to sit within the desk earlier than they’re in motion once more in per week’s time in opposition to Liverpool.
