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Report: Albion win at the death to overcome the Toffees

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From the despair of Villa Park last week to the complete and utter joy a week later, Albion are now fully aware of the ups and downs of last-minute winners following a dramatic 3-2 win over Everton at the Amex.

By James Hilsum • 26 October 2019

By Bennett Dean
Albion's players congratulate Pascal Gross on his opener.
  • Albion beat Everton 3-2 at the Amex
  • Lucas Digne’s own goal in stoppage time secures a memorable win
  • Adam Webster's own goal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on target for Everton
  • The Seagulls host Norwich City next Saturday

This time last week it was Matt Targett who was the Villain, but Lucas Digne’s moment of misfortune in the fourth minute of stoppage time gave Graham Potter’s side what will surely go down as one of the most sweetest of Amex victories.

Potter made one enforced change to the side that lost 2-1 away at Aston Villa last week, as Steven Alzate replaced the suspended Aaron Mooy.

Alzate came into a 4-4-2 formation which Potter deployed for the Toffees’ visit, as the 21-year-old took his place on the right side of central midfield alongside Dale Stephens.

Following a cagey opening ten minutes, Albion worked their way into the game and Neal Maupay tested the water with an angled strike that sailed over the crossbar.

By Paul Hazlewood
Pascal Gross celebrates.

The deadlock was broken in the 12th minute through Pascal Gross after Aaron Connolly was brought down on the edge of the area by Andre Gomes, and the German whipped the resulting set piece past Jordan Pickford at his left-hand post.

But just like at Villa Park last week, Albion’s lead was wiped out after Richarlison met Digne’s in-swinging corner with a header that got the faintest of touches off Adam Webster before beating Maty Ryan at his near post.

It wasn’t all good news for the Toffees though, as Bernard was forced off injured after landing awkwardly and was replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson. 

They almost scored again though through another Webster own-goal, as Theo Walcott’s shot deflected kindly into the path of Alex Iwobi, whose shot took a nick of the Seagulls defender before forcing Ryan into a fine one-handed stop.

Potter made a tactical tweak to his line-up at the start of the second half, by deploying Martin Montoya and Alzate in the right and left-wing back positions, and electing to go with three centre-backs to add more width to his side. 

That decision almost paid off immediately when Alzate cut in from the left flank and saw his right-footed strike just clear the crossbar. 

By Paul Hazlewood
Neal Maupay has a word with referee Andrew Madley.

The Albion head coach looked to switch things around personnel wise with 65 minutes on the clock with the introduction of Ezequiel Schelotto in place of Montoya. It was the defender’s first appearance in an Albion shirt since May 2018 – a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.

There was another welcome return to action for Leandro Trossard, who replaced Gross to make his first appearance since August after recovering from a groin injury.

But Albion had to deal with another sucker punch in the 75th minute after Dominic Calvert-Lewin came off the bench to give Everton the lead. The Toffees’ number nine latched onto Mason Holgate’s through ball and clinically fired his left-footed strike beyond Ryan. 

By Paul Hazlewood
Leandro Trossard in action against Everton.

This enthralling game took yet another twist five minutes later when VAR determined that Michael Keane had stepped on Connolly’s left foot inside the area. Maupay stepped up to take the subsequent spot-kick and smashed his shot past Pickford.

The Seagulls were very much in the ascendancy late on, and could’ve snatched a decisive third goal when Pickford palmed Lewis Dunk’s free kick into the path of Trossard, but the Belgian couldn’t make a decent connection on the rebound.

But there was still time for another dramatic twist in this incredible contest, as Trossard raced to the byline and cut the ball across the box for Digne to slide the ball into his own net. 

It finished 3-2 to Albion, and Potter’s men will head into next week’s visit of Norwich full of confidence. 

ALBION: Ryan; Montoya (Schelotto 65), Dunk, Webster, Burn; Propper, Alzate, Stephens, Gross (Trossard 65); Connolly (Murray 80), Maupay.

SUBS NOT USED: Button (GK), Balogun, Bissouma, March.

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