This archive report was first published on 3 January 2022.
Everton manager Rafael Benitez is pinning his hopes on a revival of the team's season, with a focus on striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and new signings in January.
Calvert-Lewin made his comeback after a four-month injury layoff in a 3-2 home defeat by Brighton on Sunday, where he missed a crucial penalty.
Benitez introduced new left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko to fans prior to the match at Goodison Park, with the player joining the team for a reported £17 million ($23 million, 20 million euros).
British newspaper reports have also linked Benitez with a move for Glasgow Rangers right-back Nathan Patterson as he looks to strengthen the team's defense, which has been struggling in 15th place in the 20-team Premier League.
Monday's match was only the eighth time this season that Everton scored more than once in a league fixture, with five of those occasions coming in their opening six games.
“Hopefully Dominic coming back will give a little bit more hope to everyone,” said Benitez after the match.
“And if we are bringing players back, and signing new players, it will bring this desire that everyone is expecting.”
Despite their struggles, Brighton manager Graham Potter expressed optimism about his team's performance, citing midfielder Alexis Mac Allister's double as an encouraging sign.
“He has the quality. He can contribute to the scoring phase for us,” said Potter of Mac Allister.
“So can others. That is something we are trying to improve as it’s too easy to blame the strikers.”
