When Joel Veltman, Dutch defender tucked his arm into the box three minutes before the break, the tide turned at the Amex Stadium on January 25, 2025. Everton walked away with a slender 1-0 victory over a struggling Brighton & Hove Albion, a result that left the Seagulls' supporters muttering "awful afternoon for awful Albion".

Match overview

From the opening whistle, it was clear Brighton were desperate for a spark. The home side pressed high, but the visitors settled quickly into a compact shape, refusing to give space between the lines. By the 20th minute, the only clear chance fell to Iliman Ndiaye, who skimmed a header wide of the far post. Everton’s defence, marshalled by veteran Abdoulaye Doucoure, held firm, and the first half ended with Brighton having mustered just one shot on target.

The controversial handball decision

The turning point arrived at the 42nd minute. Veltman, in a calculated attempt to win a cheap foul, stretched his arm as he got squeezed by Doucoure inside the penalty area. The referee, Mr. Robinson, initially signalled a free kick, but a quick VAR check flipped the decision. After a tense 30‑second review, the video assistant referee confirmed a clear handball – the Dutchman’s palm had made contact with the ball. handball penalty – the words echoed across the stadium.

Robinson pointed to the spot, and Ndiaye stepped up. The Senegalese forward placed the ball low and to the left of the keeper, sending the net rippling and sealing Everton’s win. Post‑match, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler vented his frustration, yet he was quick to add that the team’s own performance was the bigger culprit.

Brighton's struggles at home

Everton’s goal didn’t just decide the match – it highlighted a deeper malaise. This is Brighton’s third home win of the season and the first since the second weekend of November. In the 15 league games at the Amex, the Seagulls have collected a paltry nine points, a stark contrast to the eight points they harvested on the road.

Statistically, Brighton have attempted just 11 shots on target this season at home, compared with 27 away. Their average possession sits at 48% at the Amex, while Everton have kept a tidy 53% across the 12 fixtures. The numbers tell the same story: the team struggles to create quality chances when the crowd is behind them.

Injuries and squad impact

Adding insult to injury, Veltman left the pitch with a niggling calf problem. Hurzeler confirmed the defender “has a small calf issue” that will keep him out of the next two league games. That means Brighton lose a tall, aerially‑adept option at the back just as they try to shuffle their defense against clubs fighting relegation.

Goalkeeper Jason Verbruggen tried to compensate, even venturing forward for a corner in the dying minutes, but his timing was off and the effort fizzled. Meanwhile, midfielder Luka Webster was briefly pushed into an emergency centre‑forward role, a tactical gamble that produced nothing more than a few desperate headers.

Expert and fan reactions

Local pundit Megan Davies wrote in the Brighton Gazette that the “handball was a textbook VAR call, but the real issue is a side that has lost its belief at home.” She noted that Brighton’s pressing intensity has dropped by roughly 12% compared with October, a decline that correlates with their winless streak.

Fans on social media were merciless. #AwfulAlbion trended for hours, with many calling for an “urgent tactical overhaul” and questioning whether Hurzeler’s man‑management style is still effective. A handful of supporters, however, pointed out that the squad’s depth has been hit hard by injuries, suggesting that “the blame isn’t just on the coach, it’s on an avalanche of bad luck.”

What lies ahead for Brighton

Brighton's next fixture is a trip to Molineux Stadium to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 1. The Seagulls will be without Veltman, and Hurzeler hinted at a possible reshuffle in the back line, perhaps promoting a youngster from the U23s.

In the broader picture, the club’s board has already signalled a willingness to invest in midfield reinforcements during the January window. If those deals materialise, they could finally give Hurzeler the tools he needs to break this home‑ground rut.