Alexis Mac Allister and Brighton kill the mood at Goodison Park and heap pressure on Rafael Benitez

Everton were enjoying an encouraging festive period until they lost to Brighton.

There is an obvious punchline. This was their first game since drawing at Chelsea on December 16. At the moment it seems the small matter of Everton actually playing Premier League matches has the impact of souring the mood of their fans.

For the first time in their history, Brighton won at Goodison Park, taking advantage of the errors of the hosts and incessant threat of rancour from the stands.

Graham Potter could raise a toast to the Argentina international with a surname which suggests he enjoyed Hogmanay, Alexis Mac Allister scoring twice in the 3-2 win.

His second was a peach worthy of the three points just as Everton threatened to complete a second half comeback having been roused by the outstanding performance of their youngster, Anthony Gordon.

In his post-match debrief, Rafa Benitez could again point to self-inflicted mistakes, not least a penalty miss by Dominic Calvert-Lewin on his first appearance since August. It is too much of a trend.

"We give ourselves a mountain to climb," he said. An understatement.

Brighton were a goal up within three minutes, Mac Allister benefiting as Everton’s defenders took on the role of passive observers. Joel Veltman crossed, Neal Maupay casually headed to Mac Allister, and he stroked past Jordan Pickford.

The lead was doubled on 21 minutes when Mac Allister’s corner was flicked on by Enock Mwepu so Dan Burn, unmarked at the back post, could celebrate. Too easy.

Any lingering goodwill for Benitez from the result at Stamford Bridge had dissipated, Goodison back in that familiar territory where every stray pass is a sin against football, lost midfield challenge worthy of derision, and contentious tactical switch proof that majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri should be scribbling out another managerial shortlist.

Even a more tangible cause for optimism took time to manifest itself.

Calvert-Lewin’s return will help Everton, although expectations may be out of control. In his absence, Everton have been so bereft of a consistent goal scorer and target man, Calvert-Lewin returned as if expected to have instantly taken on0 the finest qualities of Bob Latchford and Graeme Sharp.

The rustiness showed when he wasted the chance to reduce the deficit on 25 minutes, blasting over a penalty after Mwepu clumsily shoved Gordon.

By then, the home fans were irate at just about everything; the refereeing, the wasted possession, and the five-man defence which had worked against Chelsea but was considered too cautious in a home fixture.

Poor Jonjoe Kenny, playing at right wing-back, took some of the early flak. Rough on him given his lack of recent game time. Seamus Coleman was the left wing-back, Benitez unwilling to risk Lucas Digne given he is trying to sell him.

Brighton seemed only to need to carry on passing, passing and passing a little more. But then the Everton players and crowd did what they have done so often - decided to join forces after 50 minutes. When they’re in tandem, it is like being transported into a different venue.

Gordon cut the gap when his ambitious shot from distance ricocheted off Lallana past the stranded Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez then finger-tipped an Allan drive which was heading for the top corner, and Potter was concerned enough to repel an aerial bombardment by introducing Shane Duffy.

Mac Allister’s second, a thunderbolt from the edge of the penalty area on 71 minutes, seemed to have secured the points only for Gordon to strike again six minutes later, converting Kenny’s cross.

Everton pushed for the equaliser, but Brighton withstood the pressure to make a small slice of history.

“Football changes quickly,” Potter said of his matchwinner Mac Allister.

“A few weeks ago he was disappointed not to have the game time. He has not let himself get too down and carried on working. It’s a fantastic three points for us, a great start to the new year and a great end to a really big week for us after three points against Brentford and a point against Chelsea.”

There were fewer home jeers at the end, the fans instead focusing on the excellence of Gordon. Benitez could again say the endeavour was not lacking. The quality is, though. They need results as soon as possible or they will be looking over their shoulder.

Having unveiled his £17 million left back signing, Vitaliy Mykolenko, before kick-off, he is looking at the transfer market with increasing desperation to save the campaign. And probably himself.

Benitez insists there is hope after latest toxic defeat

By Chris Bascombe

Rafael Benitez insisted there will be light at the end of the tunnel of his Everton reign despite an eighth defeat in 11 Premier League games.

Everton’s latest loss was played in a hostile environment at Goodison Park. But the under-siege Spanish coach will immediately look to start reversing the club’s fortunes with the £12 million signing of highly-rated Rangers full-back Nathan Patterson.

Everton tried to buy the 20-year-old last summer and now believe they have made a breakthrough in talks. Benitez needs good news after another difficult afternoon.

The home fans cheered out-of-favour substitute Lucas Digne as he warmed up, the Frenchman recently left out after a disagreement with the manager.

And there were jeers for another substitute Salomon Rondon when he was sent on to search for an equaliser in the later stages. The loudest boos came at half-time, when Everton trailed 2-0. A second half fightback was led by youngster Anthony Gordon, but Benitez once more found himself trying to win over fans many of whom have never taken the appointment of an ex-Liverpool coach.

He said the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin - the England striker played his first game since August - at least offers some promise that results will improve. Calvert-Lewin missed a penalty on his comeback.

"Hopefully with Dominic back it will give hope to everyone," said Benitez. "Bringing people back and new players will give more hope."

Everton affirmed their enduring faith in Benitez by sanctioning the £17 million purchase of Ukraine full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko. He was paraded before the game.

The Spanish coach is pushing ahead with other January deals. But he knows the recurring theme of sloppy mistakes must end.

"To concede the way we are is making it very difficult for us," said Benitez. "It gives us a big mountain to climb and is not easy later in the game.

"We missed a penalty, which is more complicated for confidence. We reacted and were pushing – but then made another mistake and conceded the third.

"You could see the reaction was there but it is not enough because you still make mistakes. I am concerned that we have to improve, especially in defence. The team pushes and works hard and tries but we are lacking a little quality in the decisions.

"We made a mistake and we know how, and we know what we have to do, but it is just not the time to point fingers. We have to accept responsibility as a group."

Asked why Digne was not selected despite the lack of alternative left backs, Benitez said: "The most important thing for me is to have players on the pitch who want to be there, who want to fight for this club, for these fans and for their team-mates.

"This is the main thing. After that you have to choose the best one possible."

Benitez also expressed bemusement at the reaction to him sending on Rondon."It is difficult to understand," said Benitez. "Usually people are happy changing a defender for a striker.”