At the Amex Stadium, the Brighton & Hove Albion striker gave his team a 1-0 lead over Fulham on Sunday afternoon with his fifth Premier League goal of the year.
Despite Evan Ferguson‘s goal during Sunday’s 1-1 draw between Brighton and Fulham, Roberto De Zerbi believes the Republic of Ireland international can still play better.
After 26 minutes at the Amex Stadium, Ferguson gave Albion the lead after receiving the ball from Pascal Gross on the edge of the Cottagers’ box and finishing brilliantly low into Bernd Leno’s net.
“It was one of them,” Ferguson later explained. “Pascal gets on the ball, you make a move, and he finds you.” It was pure instinct.”
Since breaking into the Brighton first team last December, those instincts have served him admirably. Ferguson has drawn comparisons to Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, and current Premier League star Erling Haaland, and is widely regarded as a player who Brighton will eventually sell for a nine-figure fee.
He’s also shown improvement since joining the team. Ferguson’s goal against Fulham on Sunday was his fifth in ten Premier League appearances, one fewer than he had last season despite playing nine more games.
That doesn’t seem to be enough for De Zerbi, who told reporters on Sunday afternoon that he believes Ferguson can play better for Brighton, who are winless in the Premier League after four games.
“Ferguson is not in the best moment of him but he is a different player for us,” the coach said. “He is a different striker than the others in the squad.” He had a good game [against Fulham], and I believe he can play better, but he is not in the best of form.”
Ferguson criticized his own performance against the Lilywhites, saying he and his teammates needed to improve on converting chances inside the opposition’s box.
Brighton finished the first half with 73% possession and four shots on goal, while the visitors had none. Ferguson, Lewis Dunk (who hit the crossbar from a free-kick), Carlos Baleba, and Simon Adingra all had chances, but the hosts were eventually punished when Joao Palhinha equalised in the second half.
“There’s a little bit of frustration,” Ferguson admitted. “We had chances in the first half, which we regret.” They returned and did well in their attempt to end the game with a point.
“We had some half-chances in the first half, but we need to improve and take one of them.” We still had the lead, but they came out flying with a point to prove, made it scrappy for us, and won. I believe we are unaccustomed to the games. It’s not the same playing on Thursdays and Sundays. We’ll rest and get ready for the game.”
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