Premier League: New Brighton boss makes impressive start
Everton 0 - 3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton's young manager, Fabian Hurzeler, made an impressive start to his Premier League career, delivering a victory that left Everton's final season at Goodison Park off to a dismal start.
Everton, who have called Goodison Park home since 1892, will be relocating to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock at the beginning of next season.
At just 31, Hurzeler became the Premier League's youngest-ever permanent manager, and his Brighton team showed no mercy towards their opponents.
The first half was fiercely contested, with tackles flying in from both sides. Everton's Jack Harrison had an early goal disallowed for offside, while Brighton's Joao Pedro struck the post with a powerful low shot.
Brighton took the lead through Kaoru Mitoma's simple finish at the back post, following excellent work from debutant Yankuba Minteh, who had been linked with a move to Everton before joining Brighton this summer.
Everton were denied a penalty at the start of the second half, despite Lewis Dunk appearing to catch Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Referee Simon Hooper reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and overturned the decision.
Adding to Everton's woes, Idrissa Gueye's misplaced pass in midfield allowed Brighton to counter-attack, with Danny Welbeck curling in a fine finish from the edge of the box.
Everton's Ashley Young was shown a red card for pulling back Japan international Mitoma as the last man, and Simon Adingra added a third goal late on, sealing a thoroughly miserable defeat for the home side.
A closer look at what happened
Eyebrows were raised over the summer when Brighton replaced the experienced Roberto De Zerbi, who left by mutual agreement, with the relatively unknown Hurzeler.
The German manager had impressed by leading St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga, which convinced the Seagulls to take a chance on him.
At 31 years and 173 days old, Hurzeler is the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history and the first to be born after the competition began in 1992.
The former Germany youth international handed debuts to summer signings Minteh and Mats Wieffer, though it was the selection of veteran James Milner that initially drew the most attention.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City utility player, who signed a new contract over the summer, is seven years older than his manager, and his inclusion allowed him to make an appearance in the Premier League for a record 23rd season.
Hurzeler was just nine years old when Milner made his Premier League debut in November 2002.
However, it was Mitoma who stole the show, tormenting the Everton defence throughout the match and capping off his outstanding performance with a goal.
The tricky winger could have added more goals, but his efforts were kept out by England international Jordan Pickford.
The travelling Brighton fans thought they had a fourth goal to celebrate in injury time, but Yasin Ayari's close-range strike was ruled out for offside. Nevertheless, their spirits remained high, and they were in full voice at the final whistle
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