Everton 4 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
Albion were outplayed at Goodison as goals from the in-form Dominic Calvert Lewin, Yerry Mina and two from James Rodriguez – with replies from Albion’s Neal Maupay and Yves Bissouma – saw Everton well on top.
Calvert-Lewin got in front of Ben White for the first although Everton had quite a few more chances to go further ahead.
Albion got back into the game when England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford spilt Leondro Trossard’s shot and Neal Maupay snapped up the rebound to pull Abion level.
Everton, however, went back ahead before half time when Yerry Mina headed home.
Rodriguez then scored on 52 minutes to put Everton 3-1 up and after a few more howlers from Pickford the same player completed his brace and notched Everton’s fourth.
Bissouma scored another screamer, giving Brighton an injury time consolation.