Everton took 34 seconds to make a perfect start - then they caused an earthquake

None of us were quite sure where it came from but a year ago today Everton showed in emphatic style they were capable of beating the drop under Sean Dyche.

May 8, 2023 was the date that the Blues went to the Amex Stadium and recorded a sensational 5-1 victory over a Brighton & Hove Albion side that had torn them apart 4-1 at Goodison Park on January 3 under previous manager Frank Lampard. In the space of just four months, Everton had pulled off an amazing seven-goal swing against the same opponents.

As this correspondent wrote at the time: “This morale-boosting success – as impressive as it was pleasantly surprising – has suddenly breathed new life into Everton’s hopes of avoiding the ignominy of what would be their first relegation in 72 years. Manager Sean Dyche has always preached for better or for worse that merely climbing out of the drop zone means nothing and the only table that matters is the final one but this felt like something big, something potentially pivotal, like the movement of tectonic plates among those involved in this dogfight. Everton haven’t just shook things up on what looked like a day of destiny for the Premier League’s strugglers, they’ve caused an earthquake…

Everton shareholders release damning statement directed to Moshiri and 777

Everton hero had piece of history taken by pitch invader after sparking incredible comeback

“After months of turmoil and disappointment both on and off the pitch, here was a rare highlight from a traumatic campaign, a moment to savour for beleaguered Blues who once again packed out their away allocation for a 550-mile return trip from Merseyside after being fed a starvation diet when it came to crumbs of comfort in recent times.”

There was an edge to the