Everton manager Sam Allardyce admits his side have put pressure on themselves after back-to-back away defeats but a return to Goodison Park should bring some home comfort.
The Toffees have secured 26 of their 34 points at home and while their record on the road – one Premier League win all season – has caused them problems, their manager is looking for a reaction from his players on a return to familiar surroundings.
“We have put a lot of pressure on ourselves because of the last two away results and we have to cope with that pressure and deliver for the fans,” he said ahead of the visit of Brighton, who have won five of their last seven matches.
“It will be a hugely difficult game for us (and) massively important.
“We are all aware of the disappointment away from home but we have to look at our home results and at the moment that is where our bread and butter lies.
“That is where we have been good, we’ve won the last two home games and only conceded two goals which were penalties.
“We have to make sure there is no legacy of the disappointment of the last two away games and be on top form on Saturday because we need to obviously get a win.
“We need to lift ourselves and if we do that through our level of performance shown at home, we can deliver a performance which could win and that could give everyone a bit of satisfaction at the weekend.”
Despite their slip down the table to 11th, seven points above the relegation zone, Allardyce remains confident they can still mount a challenge for seventh place.
“If we can keep our home results going we must turn our away results around if we are to get into that position,” he added.
“We put ourselves quickly (after his appointment in November) into a position where we could try to achieve that but we have failed.
“The first thing for me is picking up a couple more wins to be safe and then see how far we go.
“You can win three or four out of the last five games and finish seventh if you have a good run at the end of the season.”
