Good evening.

Happy New Year and welcome back to Goodison Park for what is another important match.

At the time of writing these notes – after our last-minute defeat to Wolves and before our trip to Manchester City – the emotions we all took from the ending of our Boxing Day match still feel raw, but this is football – the games come thick and fast and you have to be big enough and strong enough to take it on the chin and go again.

The performance against Wolves, while not perfect, was good but the manner of the ending flips the feeling of the game completely. I saw the players trying to do the right things, for the majority of the game our decision-making was good and we created more than enough chances to win.

It is clear we have not been clinical enough in front of goal and with the January transfer window now open, we will be working hard to action the work going on behind the scenes to boost our attacking options in order to help the squad.

We also hope to have Dominic Calvert-Lewin back for this period and getting him on the pitch consistently – something I haven't yet had the benefit of during my time at the Club – will be a huge boost because he is a top-quality striker.

While we are in this period of transition, as we continue to evolve our style and build a robust squad, there will be tough moments where we need to stick together, knuckle down and fight to achieve the results we want.

One thing I have never questioned during my time at the Club is the spirit of the players here. I see their efforts on the training ground day-in, day-out and I also see how much they hurt, as we all do, when things don't go our way.

It is crucial we come together as a collective to fight for Everton.

Of course, that starts with myself, my staff and the players but your support can have a big impact, too. The world saw the effect you can have on the team last season and we saw that in key results, such as the home wins over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as coming from 2-0 down at half-time for the all-important 3-2 win over Crystal Palace during the run-in. While nobody wants a repeat of that time, it is important to highlight the positivity and energy you can have every time we play, particularly at Goodison.

I know how difficult that can be in tough moments but the feeling you can create inside Goodison is something that gives us a unique dimension.

Today we welcome Roberto De Zerbi and the staff and players of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Roberto's adaptation to life in the Premier League has been very impressive. The way he has managed to imprint his own ideas on an established group of players who know each other well, while also maintaining the club's positive trajectory, is something to be commended.

Brighton are a free-scoring team and one that are very comfortable on the road, having secured three convincing wins – against Wolves, Arsenal and Southampton – in their past four away matches.

Like always in this league, we know we must be at our best. If you are even slightly off those levels, you will be punished, especially against an attacking team like Brighton.

Myself and every manager in this league often speak about fine margins and I can assure you we are leaving nothing to chance. We will continue to work flat out as we look to create a sustained period of momentum that will ensure we climb the table.

Tonight, ahead of kick-off, we will take a moment to honour Evertonians we lost during 2022.

The feeling of family at this club is something that makes Everton so special and I know this will be a poignant moment for many of us.

I wish you and your loved ones a happy and prosperous 2023 – let's start it together in the best possible manner and do all we can to achieve a win tonight.

Enjoy the game,

Frank