The Media Review: Toffees strike late to deny Albion victory

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The draw sees Albion sit 13th in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's fixtures.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-02-01T09:45+00:00

Pascal's fine finish was his first for Albion since 2024. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Most of the Sunday papers led their reports of Albion’s 1-1 draw against Everton with descriptions of Toffees manager David Moyes’ excursion onto the Amex pitch at his side’s 97th-minute equaliser.

But the writers also found plenty to praise in Albion’s performance in the previous 96 minutes.

On The Guardian website, Ed Aarons wrote that “somehow, Everton’s unbeaten record here that stretches back to 2019 is still intact. It had seemed a goal from Pascal Gross would be enough for Brighton to claim victory at the sixth attempt after they had spurned a number of chances in the first half.

“For Brighton this was another bitter pill to swallow after last Saturday’s last-ditch defeat at Fulham. It is now one win in their past 11 Premier League games and hopes of another European campaign are quickly evaporating. They left the pitch to boos, although they were mainly directed at the referee, Chris Kavanagh, for playing beyond the allotted six minutes of added time.

“Brighton were far too slick for Everton in the opening exchanges and almost went ahead twice. Gross was unlucky to see his volley from Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross deflect wide before Danny Welbeck’s improvised backheel was well saved by Jordan Pickford.

“Everton were bystanders again when Kaoru Mitoma brilliantly exchanged passes with Welbeck, but could only poke his shot wide of the far post with Pickford already committed.

“Brighton finally managed to find a way past Pickford when Kostoulas dummied Ayari’s cross and Gross – who rejoined Brighton this month from Borussia Dortmund having spent seven years here this first spell – made no mistake.

“Mitoma had a goal ruled out for offside and it proved to be a vital moment. O’Brien’s shot was saved by Verbruggen but the ball fell straight to Beto.”

Pascal's first Albion goal since February 2024! 🎯 Highlights in partnership with @MPBcom. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/GBNDc0aPVl
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 31, 2026

In The Sun on Sunday, Isabelle Barker wrote that “the heartbroken home players fell to the floor like wounded soldiers.

“German midfielder Gross had been on target 73 minutes in, to show he is hungry to finish where he left off at Brighton. In Gross’ first stint with the Seagulls, he played a key role in securing their highest league finish when they ended the 2022-23 campaign in sixth and clinched a place in Europe.

“Brighton fans had been left heartbroken when he departed for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2024 with 228 Prem appearances, 30 goals and 45 assists under his belt.

“The hosts nearly went ahead early on when Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross was flicked onto Gross, but the German midfielder’s shot squirmed wide for a corner.

Pascal Gross grabs the Albion badge after putting us 1-0 up against Everton. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

“The initial ball in was cleared but a Kaoru Mitoma cross dropped behind Danny Welbeck, who sent a cheeky backheel at Jordan Pickford.

“Brighton were building with Georginio Rutter sending a volley wide of the post before Van Hecke carved out a lovely bit of space, but no one was there to make the crucial touch. Welbeck linked up with Mitoma as the Japan international burst into the box and flashing a shot agonisingly close. Everton did not have a shot on target in the first-half.

“Gross stepped up and showed everyone how it’s done as he finally broke the deadlock on 73 minutes. A peach of a cross from Yasin Ayari fell to substitute Charalampos Kostoulas who dummied it, allowing the ball through his legs, and onto Gross’ plate to rifle home.

“The German midfielder nearly ripped off his shirt as kids were spotted kissing the Brighton badge in the stands of the Amex.”

According to Ed Elliott in The Sunday Telegraph, “Albion were almost rewarded for their greater attacking intent in the 19th minute. Following a sloppy pass from Toffees midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kaoru Mitoma burst into the box after exchanging passes with Welbeck, only for his dinked effort to roll agonisingly wide of the right post.

“Everton resumed with increased purpose and finally threatened when a low shot from Dewsbury-Hall flashed wide in the 52nd minute.

“The away team were made to pay for the missed chances with 17 minutes to go. After Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari delivered a low cross from the right, substitute Charalampos Kostoulas stepped over the ball, allowing Germany international Gross, who rejoined the south-coast club earlier this month, to fire into the bottom left corner from level with the penalty spot.

“Brighton looked to have done enough to survive an initial six minutes of added time. But, with only seconds of the contest remaining, Verbruggen was unable to hold on to O’Brien’s powerful effort and Beto pounced.”

Photo 1/25

Pascal Gross opened his Albion account with a fine finish in the second half, but Beto levels in the dying moments of the game. Club photographers Paul Hazlewood and James Boardman were at the Amex to capture all the action.

Joe Harston of The Sunday Times noted that, “If recent weeks had not been frustrating enough for fans of Brighton & Hove Albion, another week of late heartbreak has made it worse. They were seconds away from a win but hope of respite came to an abrupt end when substitute Beto levelled in a dramatic end.

“Fabian Hurzeler’s side had picked up just eight points since November so Pascal Gross, who returned from Borussia Dortmund last month, appeared to be the perfect man to drag them out of the slump. He netted at the back post with 17 minutes left but it was not enough.”

James Sharpe of The Mail on Sunday pointed out that “that makes it just one league win in 11 for Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who has been feeling the heat from a small section of Seagulls fans in recent weeks. When a club normalises overachievement, it does not take long before ruts are seen as canyons.

“Moyes, however, was far more bullish about the pressure the 32-year-old up-and-comer is under.

“'I'm sat here with my mouth ajar, saying, Are you having a laugh?" said Moyes. ‘He's doing a brilliant, brilliant job for Brighton. You should consider yourselves incredibly lucky to have such a manager. You might have a manager who, in the end will probably go on to be the manager of the German national team in years to come’.”