EVERTON’S clash against Brighton descended into a full-time brawl after a controversial penalty.
The Toffees claimed a vital win thanks to Iliman Ndiaye converting from the spot.
The striker celebrated by flapping his arms like a seagull to rub salt in the wounds of the hosts.
The penalty was a controversial one as Joel Veltman was judged to have handled the ball after a VAR check on 37 minutes which left Brighton fans and players livid.
Referee Tim Robinson didn’t give the penalty initially as he felt it was a coming together of Veltman and Beto.
He was then called to the monitor and it didn’t take him long to change his mind, while cheeky Brighton fans waved money at him in the background.
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In what seemed like a technical cock up, VAR then showed the replay on the big screen, sending Brighton supporters ballistic, while the livid players swarmed him too, with Bart Verbruggen booked for protesting.
But it kicked off at full time as players from both teams were caught in a brawl in the Everton area.
Once the players were separated the Everton squad went over to celebrate the win with the travelling supporters.
David Moyes saw out his 700th Premier League match in style thanks to Ndiaye’s goal.
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Maestro Moyes, 61, has now already overseen two Prem wins in his three league games since taking over – which is already two thirds of Sean Dyche’s wins tally (three) in 19 top-flight games.
Brighton started well with Tariq Lamptey flashing an early warning shot, latching onto an inch-perfect cross and firing the ball across the face of goal.
Disaster struck for Everton with Dominic Calvert-Lewin limping off the pitch after pulling up with a hamstring injury off the ball just 13 minutes in.
The Toffees striker was unable to continue after appearing to over-extend his hamstring when landing.
He made way for Beto and as things stand, Everton now have just one fit senior striker in their first team squad.
Brighton cranked things up a notch with a wide Lamptey free-kick curling towards the back post before Jordan Pickford punched it away.
The game exploded into life when there was the VAR check for what looked like a blatant handball from Veltman.
Cue Senegalese midfielder Ndiaye’s first goal from the spot in league football.
Brighton knew they needed some oomph, and made a switch at the break as Brajan Gruda was hooked off for Georginio Rutter.
It certainly gave the hosts a pep in their step as Kaoru Mitoma lashed a curling shot just wide of the far post and a sprawling Pickford.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side were peppering shots into the box, but it was mostly a desperate scramble of wild, deflected attempts with nothing on target.
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Lewis Dunk fired a peach of a long-range pass straight onto the path of Rutter who cracked a shot agonisingly close.
The Toffees had a go up the other end with Beto rushing toward goal but lashing into the side netting.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
