It took just 34 seconds for Doucoure to net the opening goal in what had been dubbed a ‘must-win’ for the Merseyside outfit, with the midfielder ghosting in at the back-post to convert Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s pin-point cross.
A profitable start would get even better for the travelling supporters packed into the South Stand behind the goal, as Doucoure doubled his and Everton’s tally for the afternoon on the half-hour mark.
This time through a delightful first-time right-footed volley inside the penalty area, with the ex-Watford man, who had previously scored just twice all season, proving a menace to the struggling Brighton defence.
Already in dreamland, the Toffees would find themselves in paradise just before the break, as a strong advantage became a seemingly unassailable lead, albeit from a touch of fortune.
Darting down the right-hand side, McNeil’s cutback found its way into the Brighton net, via the outstretched leg of Seagulls goalkeeper Jason Steele.
An astonishing first half, with the home side the ones looking and playing like the relegation strugglers, as opposed to European challengers.
Dyche had never previously lost a Premier League match away to Brighton and despite his side’s three-goal advantage, it looked as if that record would be under threat early in the second half.
Goalkeeper and stand-in skipper Jordan Pickford twice denied Evan Ferguson, firstly with a close-range header that was tipped onto the post, before a finger-tip save thwarted the Irishman’s speculative effort from outside of the box.
Their defensive resilience would prove beneficial, as having been under the cosh for almost all of the second half, McNeil added a fourth for the visitors late in the game.
With a swift counter-attack, the ex-Burnley man was slipped in behind by Alex Iwobi to round the goalkeeper and put Everton out of sight.
But just as the crowds began to seep out of the Amex Stadium, Brighton’s comeback challenge officially got underway.
Dragging one back in the most bizarre of fashions, Alexis Mac Allister added to his growing tally for the season when the Argentine midfielder was struck by the ball while lying on the ground in front of an empty net.
Too little too late? It proved so, as in the depths of added time McNeil capped off a stellar away day for the Toffees with a thunderous left-footed strike into the top corner.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
