A closer look at Brighton's three-point press

How Albion tailored intense out-of-possession approach to Everton's build-up and were rewarded with winning goal

Brighton’s Nadine Noordam pressures Yuka Momiki of Everton during the visitors’ win at Goodison Park. Credit: Getty Images

Brighton’s winning goal against Everton in Friday night’s Women’s Super League game will show up on highlights reels as a well-worked move inside the box. But the real story starts earlier, without the ball, in how Brighton chose to press a specific Everton build-up structure.

Everton are a team with a clear identity in possession. Their first phase is designed to stretch the pitch as much as possible with their 4-1-4-1: centre-backs split wide, full-backs push high and wide, and even midfielders tend to drift towards the flanks. Progression is heavily channelled through wide zones, with crossing a key attacking outlet. Width first, almost always.

That approach brings consistency, but it also creates a structural trade-off. In early build-up, the central corridor is often sparsely occupied - frequently by the pivot alone - with few close connections. When facing an aggressive press, that lack of central support can quickly turn into a pressure point.

Brighton recognised this pattern and built their out-of-possession approach around it. Rather than chasing Everton wide, they focused on funnelling play inside. Not to allow progression, but to compress space and force decisions in the most vulnerable zone.