Everton manager David Moyes celebrated his 700th game in the Premier League with a gritty 1-0 win at Brighton, but has been left to sweat over the fitness of two key players in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Orel Mangala.
A penalty from Iliman Ndiaye gave Everton the three points as they defended stoically in the face of relentless Brighton pressure, especially in the second half.
The win moves Everton seven points clear of the relegation zone and is the first time this season they have won back-to-back Premier League games.
“My 700th game in the Premier League and to come here and win, it is a great result for us,” Moyes said. “It wasn’t an easy task and in some areas we needed to play better. We are not at the levels we need to get to, but the players showed backbone and a bit of steel.
Everton put in a battling display that had little finesse, but Moyes said while they ward off the threat of relegation, it is going to be the case that they seek substance over style.
“I think the supporters understand at the moment that we need to get ourselves out of trouble and it is a short-term fix,” he said.
“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.”
