Everton secures 1-0 victory over Brighton with Ndiaye penalty

Everton secured a 1-0 victory against Brighton, buoyed by a controversial penalty converted by Iliman Ndiaye in the 42nd minute, marking David Moyes' 700th Premier League match as a manager. The penalty decision, awarded after VAR intervention for a handball by Brighton's Joel Veltman, sparked discontent among home fans and players who believed a free-kick should have been given instead. Despite Brighton's increased pressure in the second half, they failed to equalize, continuing their struggle at home against lower-ranked teams. The win also marks Everton's second consecutive victory following their triumph over Tottenham, easing concerns over relegation as they moved seven points clear of the drop zone. However, the match saw the early departure of Everton's striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to injury, which remains a negative for the team. Moyes' experience proved pivotal in this tightly contested match as Everton aims to build on their recent success.