Pressure mounted on Everton manager Rafael Benitez after the Toffees slumped to their ninth defeat of the Premier League campaign with a 3-2 home loss against Brighton on Sunday. The Merseyside club are down to 15th after a run of eight defeats in their last 12 games that has wiped out early season progress, which saw the side win three of their four opening games. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a key part of the eary success who was sidelined with a thigh injury for early five months, could not inspire Everton to a win. In fact, the English striker’s only significant contribution was a missed penalty in the first half.  

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This came after Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister gave Brighton an early lead, which was doubled by Dan Burn’s header in the 21st minute. 

While academy graduate Anthony Gordon scored his first two goals for Everton in the 53rd and 76th minutes, Mac Allister’s second in between that double made it an unhappy start to 2022 for Benitez, whose side have now won just once in the last 12 matches.

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Leeds beat Burnley 3-1

Goals from Jack Harrison, Stuart Dallas and Daniel James helped Leeds United put some distance between themselves and the drop zone with a 3-1 win over Burnley. Maxwell Cornet scored what turned out to be a consolation for the Clarets, who are two points off safety in 18th place, but with a game in hand over Watford in 17th. 

Brentford down Villa 2-1

Brentford continued their push for a top-half finish with another three points, with goals from Yoane Wissa and Mads Roerslev helping complete a comeback win against Aston Villa. 

Danny Ings gave the Villians a 16th minute-lead, but the Midlands club have now lost their third in five games. The result saw Brentford and Villa exchange positions, with the London club now in 12th.