Everton Stun Wasteful Brighton as Pickford Saves the Day

Everton capitalised on Brighton’s missed chances to secure a vital home victory, with James Garner’s thunderous strike and Jordan Pickford’s late penalty save sealing the points at Goodison Park.

Iliman Ndiaye broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, arriving unmarked at the back post to convert, though Brighton should already have been comfortably ahead. Kaoru Mitoma rattled the crossbar after a dazzling flick over James Tarkowski, while Danny Welbeck fired over with the goal at his mercy following Yankuba Minteh’s fine delivery.

Even after conceding, the visitors threatened to level before the interval when Matt O’Riley pounced on Tarkowski’s loose pass, only for Pickford to smother bravely.

Brighton’s profligacy was punished again just after the restart. Jack Grealish provided the assist, but it was Garner who took the headlines with a blistering strike from distance that left Bart Verbruggen with no chance.

The Seagulls were handed a lifeline late on when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall handled in the box. Welbeck stepped up, but Pickford guessed correctly, diving low to his left to preserve Everton’s hard-earned victory.


Palace and Forest Share Points Amid Off-Field Tensions

At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw in a contest overshadowed by off-field tensions between the two clubs.

Palace fans voiced their anger after UEFA’s ruling demoted the Eagles from the Europa League to the Conference League, with Forest benefiting by taking their place in Europe.

The home side took the lead when Ismaila Sarr converted Daniel Muñoz’s cross in front of a raucous crowd. But Forest, whose preparations were clouded by doubts over manager Nuno Espírito Santo’s strained relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, battled back.

Callum Hudson-Odoi struck midway through the second half, finishing calmly from Dan Ndoye’s pass to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.