Moyes Celebrates 700th Premier League Game with Everton's 1-0 Win Over Brighton

David Moyes celebrated his 700th Premier League game with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton, but Everton's injury concerns deepen.

Everton manager David Moyes celebrated a milestone 700th game in the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Brighton and Hove Albion. However, the victory was marred by concerns over the fitness of key players Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Orel Mangala. Iliman Ndiaye's penalty proved to be the decisive factor, as Everton defended resolutely against relentless Brighton pressure, particularly in the second half.

The win marked a significant achievement for Everton, as they moved seven points clear of the relegation zone and secured back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time this season. Moyes was thrilled with the result, saying, “My 700th game in the Premier League and to come here and win, it is a great result for us.” He acknowledged that the task was far from easy, adding, “It wasn't an easy task and in some areas we needed to play better.”

Despite recognizing that Everton still have room for improvement, Moyes was impressed with his team's resilience and determination. He stated, “We are not at the levels we need to get to, but the players showed backbone and a bit of steel.” Moyes emphasized the importance of his players standing up to the challenge, saying, “The next part is to see if we can be a bit easier on the eye with how we play, but people really stood up and were counted when they needed to be. The players did such a good job.”

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Orel Mangala, two crucial players for Everton, suffered injuries during the match, casting a shadow over the team's victory. Calvert-Lewin was forced to leave the game after just 10 minutes with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, while Mangala limped off near the end. Both players are essential to Everton's gameplay, and their potential absence would be deeply felt.

"I'm still smiling." 😁

Watch David Moyes' full #BHAEVE reaction. 💬 pic.twitter.com/Ef10jJQzHD

— Everton (@Everton) January 25, 2025

Everton manager David Moyes expressed concern over the injuries, saying, “They need to get checked but we are a bit worried about both Dom and Mangala.” Moyes was cautious not to speculate on the severity of the injuries, adding, “I don't want to say they are serious injuries until we find out what they are, but the medical team don't seem to think they look the best.” The team's medical staff will conduct further assessments to determine the extent of the injuries.

Moyes acknowledged that Everton's performance was not aesthetically pleasing, but emphasized that the team's primary focus is on avoiding relegation. He stated, “I think the supporters understand at the moment that we need to get ourselves out of trouble and it is a short-term fix.” Moyes recognized that the team's display was not perfect, saying, “There was bits of today when it was not so good, we could not control the game in the second half and we need to find ways to be better.”