Brighton v Everton player ratings: Moder 5, Bissouma 7; Gray 8, Calvert-Lewin 7

Benitez's side continue positive start to Premier League season with 2-0 win

BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez – 6 Will probably be examining Gray’s first goal after he went down too early. Made very good reaction save to his left to deny Townsend but, minutes later, he was let off the hook when his poor goalkick saw Doucoure shoot over. Getty

Adam Webster – 7 While he won’t have been happy that Gray beat him for the first goal, he put in a captain’s performance that included numerous positive runs on the wing important interceptions. PA

Shane Duffy 7 – Solid in the air that forced Everton to find other ways through, and produced a fine block to stop a Dignes cross in the final few minutes. Reuters

Lewis Dunk 7 – Made a solid tackle to stop another Gray run after Moder let him run through. Getty

Jakub Moder 5 – Had a shot blocked early in the game and endured a tough shift trying to contain Everton’s wide men. Getty

Pascal Gross 6 – Forced a save from Pickford from a free-kick on the edge of the box. Getty

Adam Lallana 6 – A central figure when it came to starting attacks in the first half, also contributing to his team’s defensive duties. However, his influence waned as the game went on. PA

Yves Bissouma 7 – Linked with a move away from the Amex Stadium, the Malian midfielder had a busy game at both ends of the pitch, but couldn’t create anything of note. Booked. Getty

Alexis Mac Allister 5 – He was beaten on the left-hand side several times, up against Townsend, and Coleman. Couldn’t make anything happen during his time on the pitch. Reuters

Leandro Troussard 7 – Central to Brighton’s attacks, he was a positive influence when his team was in possession. He had the most shots in the game, forced Pickford to make a save in the second half but couldn’t help his team get back into the game. AP

Neal Maupay 6 – Had an early shot that finished over the bar and another effort towards the end. Ultimately, he couldn’t add to his goal tally this season. Getty

SUBS: Joel Veltman (On for Mac Allister 46’) 6 – Brought on to steady the left wing, he was a key player in Brighton’s positive start to the second half. However, found himself on the wrong side of Coleman and brought down the Everton man to earn Merseysiders a penalty. Getty

Danny Welbeck (On for Lallana 59’) 4 – Couldn’t find a way into the game, only making three passes. PA

Taylor Richards (On for Moder 73’) N/A – Positive Premier League debut but couldn’t make anything happen with the side already 2-0 down. Getty

EVERTON RATINGS: Jordan Pickford 7 – A quiet first half with little to do. Made strong save from Gross’ free-kick that Doucoure was able to clear. Had a shaky moment later on when he needed a second attempt to claim a Brighton ball. First clean sheet of the season. PA

Seamus Coleman 7 – He made several charging runs in the first half, though was unable to find his teammates. It was from his run into the box that saw him bundled over by Veltman to earn Everton a penalty. AFP

Mason Holgate 7 – The young defender came in after captaining the Toffee’s in the cup and produced a solid display alongside Keane. AFP

Michael Keane 7 - Supported Holgate to form a solid defence, making several clearances and interceptions throughout the game to keep Everton in control away. Getty

Lucas Digne 7 – Started poorly and was dispossessed on more than one occasion, but improved as match went on. AFP

Allan 9 – An excellent performance from the midfielder. Got the better of Mac Allister to begin the attack for Townsend’s shot in the 30th minute. Was the instigator for Gray’s first-half goal with a perfectly weighted pass for Everton’s summer signing. Minutes later, he followed that with a lovely backheel into Calvert Lewin’s path. Getty

Abdoulaye Doucoure 8 – Always chasing and closing down to get the ball back and helping start an attack. He had a chance just before half-time when he was played in by Townsend, but it flew over the crossbar with Gray a better position. Reuters

Andros Townsend 7 – Came into the side following a goal in the EFL Cup and made an impact again here. Teed-up a shot for Doucoure after Sanchez’s poor ball landed to him. Could have had a goal himself after driving forward and forcing keeper to make a good reaction save. AFP

Demarai Gray 8 – Looked bright throughout and was always part of Everton’s attacking play. Ran onto Allan’s perfectly timed ball to beat Webster and slot into the bottom left corner. AP

Richarlison 7 – Much might be made of the Brazilian’s reaction to Calvert-Lewin taking the penalty, but he was still busy at both ends of the pitch and tried to make things happen. Booked for a foul on Bissouma. PA

Dominic Calvert-Lewin 7 – Shot wide following Allan’s smart backheel, but he was able to convert a penalty to make it 2-0. Later substituted as a precaution. Reuters

SUBS: Alex Iwobi (On for Calvert Lewin 70’) 7 – Made the most of his cameo role and linked-up well with Richarlison to cause havoc. Andre Gomes (On for Gray 81’) N/A – Forced a save from Sanchez. Reuters

Demarai Gray and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were on target as Everton continued their good start to the new season with a 2-0 win at Brighton.

Gray, who joined the Merseyside club from German side Bayer Leverkusen in July, gave the visitors a 41st-minute lead when he beat goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a low shot into the far corner.

Half-time substitute Joel Veltman gave away a clumsy penalty when he clattered into Seamus Coleman and Calvert-Lewin drilled in the spot kick in the 58th minute but not before a tussle with teammate Richarlison.

The Brazilian forward grabbed the ball and refused to let first-choice penalty taker Calvert-Lewin proceed before he was restrained and ushered away by several Everton players.

“We had a conversation before the match and I told them that if we had two penalties, the first one is Dominic and the second one is Richarlison,” Everton manager Benitez said after the match.

“Richarlison wants to score goals, it’s normal, but I’m pleased we won and that Dominic scored. And everyone has to be happy with that.”

While Everton took their unbeaten league start to three matches, Brighton surrendered their 100 per cent opening to the campaign.

Seagulls manager Graham Potter admitted the hosts were beaten by the better side on the day.

“I reckon we played against a good opponent, and we have to give them credit,” said Potter. “We didn’t quite hit our normal level, and we missed Solly March’s balance on the left.

“I didn’t think we were bad, we just weren’t that good. And I thought Everton were good today.”

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.