Brighton's Aggressivity Is Not Sharp But Enough To Block Everton To Go Top Four

Brighton Vs Everton (Twitter @OfficialBHAFC)

JAKARTA - Brighton &Hove Albion thwarted Everton's ambitions of approaching the top four of the standings after both teams drew 0-0 in the 31st week of the Premier League match at the Amex Stadium on Monday local time (Tuesday western Indonesia time).

The result leaves Everton, who have missed four games without a single win, unbeaten in the top eight with 48 points, still seven points adrift of the top four.

As for Brighton (33), an extra point is enough to widen their gap from the relegation zone to seven points away, the Premier League's official website reports.

Statistics show the ball possession of both teams was relatively even, but Brighton appeared so aggressive in releasing 23 shot attempts throughout the match, 15 times more than Everton did.

Unfortunately, Brighton's aggressiveness was not accompanied by their sharpness in the final finishes of the attack.

Everton created the threat in the 30th minute when Seamus Coleman sent a cross into the centre of the box, but Tom Davies' header was deflected wide of the far post.

A minute later, Brighton threatened again when Leandro Trossard sent a pull-back into the Everton penalty box, but Neal Maupay's finish was blocked by Yerry Mina in front of the goal.

Then in the 35th minute, Yves Bissouma attempted an acrobatic shot only to find his shot landed on the roof of the Everton goal, followed by Adam Lallana's weak shot three minutes later which was easily secured by goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Brighton still created more chances in the second half, but Danny Welbeck failed to beat Mason Holgate in an aerial duel and the resulting corner only ended with Jakub Moder's first touch shot soaring over the post.

Everton had a chance to threaten through James Rodriguez's shot into the box, but his narrow corner was blocked by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

The hosts posed another threat in the Everton defensive area, but Welbeck's shot was blocked by a pair of Ben Godrey, Maupay's shot deflected off the target and Olsen deflected off Lewis Dunk's header.

In injury time, Everton almost sealed a dramatic victory when Alex Iwobi poked into the Brighton penalty box and unleashed a shot that Sanchez had already missed, but the pace of the ball was still narrowly off the outside of the far post.

FT. It's finished all square at the Amex. #BHAEVE pic.twitter.com/FzpKN6F2t9

— Everton (@Everton) April 12, 2021

Everton will play early for their next game when they host Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Friday, 16 April, while Brighton appears just four days later when they visit Chelsea's headquarters.