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Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday might not fully reflect the performance, but they were ultimately well beaten. Despite a promising first half where Everton looked the stronger side, they went into halftime trailing 1-0, a familiar and frustrating outcome.
The game shifted early in the second half when a penalty decision was overturned. After Brighton scored their second goal and Ashley Young was sent off, any hopes of a comeback faded. From there, it became a matter of damage control for Sean Dyche, whose substitutions once again came under scrutiny.
One change, in particular, seemed to be the tipping point for many fans at Goodison Park. Traditionally, the stadium doesn’t hesitate to express displeasure after a poor performance, often accompanied by booing and early exits. However, this time, the crowd largely stayed until late in the match, likely because it was the first Premier League game after a long break.
That changed in the 85th minute when Mason Holgate was brought on to replace the sent-off Young. The introduction of the out-of-favor defender led to a mass exodus, with some fans even booing the decision. Holgate’s appearance seemed to be the final straw, especially considering Everton’s efforts to sell him.
Holgate wasn’t always so unpopular on Merseyside. Just five years ago, he was one of the club’s most promising young players. However, a loss of form and unsuccessful loan spells at Sheffield United and Southampton have seen his stock plummet. Now viewed as a liability, Everton fans have been hoping for his departure, but with a lucrative £70k-a-week contract, Holgate had little incentive to leave.
His substitution symbolized the lack of progress at the club. A player who couldn’t make an impact at a Championship club is now considered an asset at Everton. For his own sake, Holgate might need to consider moving on after the fans made their feelings so clear.
