Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion has turned into one of those Premier League fixtures that quietly delivers chaos every single time. It used to be a predictable win for the established Merseyside blue. Not anymore. Honestly, if you’re still looking at this through the lens of "big club vs. small club," you're missing the entire story of how the tactical landscape of English football has shifted over the last few seasons.
The matches between these two have become a fascinating clash of identities. You’ve got Everton, a club currently trying to redefine itself under David Moyes while moving into the shiny, £800 million Hill Dickinson Stadium. Then you have Brighton, the data-driven "model club" that seems to find world-class talent in places most scouts can’t find on a map.
The New Era at Hill Dickinson Stadium
The most recent chapter in this rivalry was a massive one. August 24, 2025, marked the first-ever competitive game at Everton's new waterfront home. There was so much pressure. Coming off a depressing 1-0 loss to Leeds, the Toffees needed a statement. And they got it.
The 2-0 win for Everton wasn't just about the points; it was about the debut of Jack Grealish. Yeah, that Jack Grealish. After his move from Manchester City, people wondered if he still had that "magic." He answered pretty quickly with two assists. He set up Iliman Ndiaye for the opener in the 23rd minute, and then teed up James Garner for a rocket in the 52nd.
But don’t let the scoreline fool you. Brighton were arguably the better side for large chunks of that game. Kaoru Mitoma hit the crossbar early on, and Jan Paul van Hecke rattled the post. Brighton had 69% of the ball. They always do. But Jordan Pickford did what Pickford does in an Everton shirt—he saved a penalty from Danny Welbeck and basically sucked the life out of Brighton’s comeback hopes.
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Tactical Friction: Moyes vs. Hürzeler
What’s really interesting is the contrast on the touchline. Fabian Hürzeler is the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history, a tactical obsessive who wants his team to build from the back and suffocate you with possession. He’s basically the antithesis of the "old school" approach.
On the other side, David Moyes has returned to Everton to steady a ship that was rocking under previous regimes. He’s made them harder to beat, more clinical, and—with the addition of players like Grealish and Thierno Barry—a lot more dangerous on the break.
Why the Head-to-Head Stats are Deceiving
If you look at the all-time record, Everton leads the way with 13 wins to Brighton’s 7. But that’s a legacy stat. If you only look at the last five years, it’s a total toss-up.
- August 2025: Everton 2-0 Brighton (The historic stadium opener)
- January 2025: Brighton 0-1 Everton (A gritty Ndiaye penalty win)
- August 2024: Everton 0-3 Brighton (A total dismantling at Goodison Park)
- February 2024: Brighton 1-1 Everton (A late Lewis Dunk equalizer)
Brighton has this weird habit of winning big at Everton. That 3-0 win in 2024 was a masterclass in verticality and pace, with Yankuba Minteh and Mitoma tearing the Everton full-backs apart. Yet, Everton seems to have figured out how to win at the Amex, often playing a low block and frustrating the life out of the Seagulls.
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Misconceptions About the "Style" of Play
People think Brighton is all "tiki-taka" and Everton is all "long balls." That’s sorta lazy analysis. Under Hürzeler, Brighton is actually quite aggressive in their counter-pressing. They don't just want the ball; they want to hurt you the second you win it back.
Everton, meanwhile, has become much more technically proficient in midfield. Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam provide the engine, but having Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish in the side means they can actually keep the ball when they want to. They aren't just "Route One" anymore.
What to Watch for in the Next Clash
The next time these two meet—scheduled for January 31, 2026, at the American Express Stadium—the stakes will be even higher. Everton is pushing to prove they belong back in the top half of the table, while Brighton is constantly knocking on the door of European qualification.
Keep an eye on the fitness of Jarrad Branthwaite. When he's in the Everton defense, they look like a different team. Without him, they struggle with Brighton's high-line and the pace of players like Georginio Rutter and Brajan Gruda.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Full-Back Duel: Brighton’s wingers (Mitoma/Minteh) are their primary weapons. If Everton’s full-backs (likely Mykolenko and a makeshift right-back like Garner or Patterson) get isolated, it’s game over.
- The "Pickford Factor": In low-scoring games between these two, Pickford’s distribution and shot-stopping often provide the margin of victory. He tends to have his best games against Brighton.
- Check the XG: These games often have massive discrepancies between Expected Goals (xG) and the final score. Brighton often "wins" the xG battle but loses the game because they lack a clinical "killer" in the box.
- Stadium Atmosphere: The Hill Dickinson Stadium has changed the dynamic of Everton's home games. It's tighter, louder, and seemingly more intimidating than the final years of Goodison.
Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion isn't just a mid-table clash. It’s a recurring study in how two different philosophies can collide to create some of the most unpredictable football in the league. Whether it's a 5-1 thrashing or a gritty 1-0, don't expect a boring afternoon.
To stay ahead of the next match, monitor the injury reports for Lewis Dunk and Jarrad Branthwaite specifically, as the absence of either captain usually leads to a much higher-scoring game than the betting markets predict.