Everton 1 - 0 Brentford
Everton made it a hat-trick of home wins in the space of six days by edging Brentford 1-0 thanks to Idrissa Gueye’s 60th-minute strike that ensured the Blues’ Premier League survival for another season.
After a fairly flat first half that saw precious little goalmouth action at either end, Dwight McNeil hit the crossbar as Everton came the closer to breaking the deadlock before Gueye popped up with his second goal in three games.
Brentford were coming off the back of their biggest away win in the Premier League having thrashed Luton Town 5-1 last weekend and they had their moments after half-time, but Jordan Pickford came up trumps again when needed to deny Ivan Toney, Keane Lewis-Potter and Kevin Schade.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin still dogged by a stomach bug and knee complaint and Beto ruled out by concussion protocols, Sean Dyche handed a first League start to Youssef Chermiti while Ashley Young replaced the injured Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back.
With all the emotion from Wednesday night’s dramatic win in the Merseyside derby, there was always a risk that Everton might struggle to raise their game but there was no shortage of effort in the opening minutes even if the quality in their play was largely lacking.
In general, there was too much reliance on long balls which Chermiti often struggled to win against the likes of Ethan Pinnock and Kristoffer Ajer, but the Blues came close to registering another early goal in this fixture when McNeil flashed a shot across the face of Mark Flekken’s goal with Chermiti stretching to try and get a toe on it.
Jarrad Branthwaite was called into action in the 20th minute to make a terrific block to deny Mathias Jensen after Vitaly Yanelt had found him with a cut-back from the byline and the Dane picked his spot past Pickford.
Back down the Park End, Everton were being frustrated themselves by Bees defenders getting in the way of shots that might have tested Flekken as Jack Harrison and McNeil saw efforts charged down and the former lashed a first-time shot wide from the second opportunity.
The best chances of the first 45 minutes fell to either side late in the half, first when Abdoulaye Doucouré, played in by a very neat touch from Chermiti that put him into space in the box, snatched at a left-foot half-volley and made a complete mess of the connection with just the keeper in front of him.
Then Jensen bent an inviting ball behind the Toffees' defence for Toney but Pickford did brilliantly again to cover the angle and stop the shot, gathering at the second attempt after it has squirmed under his body.
The contest started to come to life after the interval as Everton's confidence to move the ball on the deck increased and when Branthwaite made an uncharacteristic error by missing his challenge on Yoane Wissa and Toney was played in, Pickford came to his rescue with a smart save.
McNeil, meanwhile, was enjoying the more roving role that he was given by Dyche against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, picking up space behind the striker, and when he had time to look up and unload from 25 yards, he cracked a tremendous shot off the face of the bar.
The deadlock was broken on the hour mark, though, when Ajer touched the ball behind for a corner. McNeil’s delivery was initially cleared by Brentford but it came back to Gueye who chipped it out to Harrison who squared it to Branthwaite.
He found his route to goal blocked by two defenders but when Ajer shovelled the ball away from the big defender’s feet, it fell invitingly for Gueye to sweep into the top corner and make it 1-0.
McNeil drilled another left-footer across the face of Flekken’s goal before Brentford, amid a flurry of changes from the bench by Thomas Frank, tried to press home an equaliser.
Pickford was alert to save by his feet when Toney flicked the ball on off a corner and Ben Godfrey had to clear the ball behind from Schade’s low centre but, in between, the Toffees’ goalkeeper pulled off his best save of the match, palming aside Lewis-Potter’s fierce drive.
Chermiti, who would end up playing 20 minutes more than the sum total of all his Premier League minutes all season before today, had been growing into his challenging role as the lone striker and his best chance to score his first Everton goal would come six minutes from time but he knocked his shot wide just before the offside flag went up.
It very nearly was 2-0 in the closing stages, however, first when substitute Amadou Onana led a really promising break but delayed his pass too long so that Doucouré strayed offside, with the latter seeing his shot saved regardless.
Then, after Mbeumo had cynically felled McNeil as the winger led another charge down the left, James Garner shuddered the bar with a curling free-kick that just didn’t dip enough to sneak in.
Pickford got down to save a final low drive from Schade as Brentford tried to spoil the afternoon but after six minutes of added time, enough for Michael Keane to come on for Chermiti and play up front, referee Darren England called time to signal Everton’s safety from the drop with three games to spare.
The Club still have an appeal to be heard over the second points deduction which, combined with the six taken away by the first Independent Commission, have prolonged the Toffees’ battle to make sure of top-flight football in Goodison Park’s final season and there is an outside chance that the Appeal Board adds to that second sanction rather than reduces it.
But it’s unlikely to make any difference in the final reckoning. For the second season running, Dyche has steered Everton to safety despite challenging circumstances and lifted the immediate weight off Blues fans’ shoulders, even if, off the pitch, the takeover saga remains of huge concern.
Reader Comments (36)
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2 Posted 27/04/2024 at 21:27:17
3 Posted 27/04/2024 at 21:52:25
But hey, they survived, with fan support against a background of a football mess like no other in history, recognised as being so Worldwide, with many illustrious media outlets reporting on it weekly, including ToffeeWeb.
4 Posted 27/04/2024 at 21:54:47
We are not blessed with quality (understatement…) but it's some week to get 3 wins on the bounce in any league – let alone the dodgy Premier League. So relax… and enjoy.
Off the pitch, if there are any more points deducted this season, then it shows even more ludicrous posturing by the Premier League. They should now be responding with settling the charges against Man City, and leave Everton alone to resolve the ownership and new stadium issues.
5 Posted 27/04/2024 at 21:58:19
Including the derby?
Not me.
Anybody?
6 Posted 27/04/2024 at 22:11:27
I'm ashamed now to admit I didn't believe they had this. I haven't been to the Old Lady in some years, but my boy has bought us a stadium tour for two, so I will go at least once more.
Listening to the faithful today was very moving, I lived it and loved it... Whatever happens off the pitch, today was pure Everton. We are all born blue, we deserved today.
7 Posted 27/04/2024 at 22:37:34
8 Posted 27/04/2024 at 22:54:45
That way there is no chance of an increase.
9 Posted 27/04/2024 at 22:59:07
10 Posted 27/04/2024 at 23:04:35
If we would have lost or even drawn against Forest, I don't think we would have got more than two points out of the next two game. The whole squad and backroom staff deserve massive credit for finally proving that there is a backbone that has been missing for years but is now slowly developing inside the changing room.
11 Posted 27/04/2024 at 23:17:04
He never shirks out of a tackle. Always gets up straight away if he is tackled. Plays the game with a combination of toughness and humility. He always keeps trying with a smile and a shrug and never loses his cool to get involved with the playground stuff.
He may not be the most complete midfielder in the Premier League but l am so pleased things have worked out for him over the last couple of games. Pure class.
12 Posted 27/04/2024 at 23:19:01
I thought we were going to have a letdown after the emotion of Wednesday, but we ended up playing well. Let's keep getting points and build on this.
13 Posted 27/04/2024 at 23:35:03
A bright Blue Bonanza at Bramley-Moore Dock can be!
Let the dream be realised! UTFT.
14 Posted 28/04/2024 at 02:25:40
But the blue blood runs very deep and up I get at stupid o'clock every matchday (we are currently 11 hours ahead of the UK) to either listen to match commentary through the Everton website (Snods is awesome) or watch the game through some dodgy stream channel.
At times, this has been a massive struggle between head and heart, especially when it was almost guaranteed we would get a pasting, but the heart always won! This last week though has been a feckin joy! The derby win over the RS was my best game for emotions since being in the Gwladys Street end for the Bayern Munich game.
The relief of securing safety before the last day of the season is immense, I might even sleep through a few of the remaining games now, but I doubt it. We just need the takeover to be sorted by someone better than 777 Partners and all will be good in the world!
Wishing all you Toffees out there all the very best, enjoy a very peaceful and stress free end to the season, feck we have earned it!!! UTFT 💙
15 Posted 28/04/2024 at 05:35:25
Glad we had a manager who navigated around the storm and now we can sail in calmer waters to the promised land.
16 Posted 28/04/2024 at 06:32:08
I also live in Christchurch, New Zealand.
17 Posted 28/04/2024 at 07:08:13
18 Posted 28/04/2024 at 08:07:17
I am both amazed and proud,
Gana getting two goals in a week,
The team bouncing back like this,
I'm ashamed now to admit I didn't believe they had this.
I haven't been to the old lady in some years, but my boy has bought us a stadium tour for two so I will go at least once more, listening to the faithful today was very moving, I lived it and loved it...
Whatever happens off the pitch, today was pure everton, we are all born blue, we deserved today
19 Posted 28/04/2024 at 08:30:20
20 Posted 28/04/2024 at 08:55:09
21 Posted 28/04/2024 at 08:58:45
22 Posted 28/04/2024 at 09:25:09
What to say about our stand-in centre forward? He worked hard for 90 minutes without much going for him and he could easily have become disillusioned but he didn't. Good for him on his first 90 minutes. Even though he didn't score it will have done him good to get a full game behind him as, for sure, he will be needed next season as a contender in the up front role.
Well done to everyone for the unexpected 9 points this week. More of the same please on the run in.
23 Posted 28/04/2024 at 09:39:55
I always look for Jim Bennings, after an Everton victory, and can only assume that he goes on a two day bender whenever the toffees win, which is just another example of silence being golden, sometimes.
This week the silence in the city from the usual self-entitled gobshites, has been absolutely golden, and has only been surpassed, by the beautiful smiling faces of the very happy Evertonians.
25 Posted 28/04/2024 at 12:19:28
Forums are for spleen venting – there are 3 times as many stock phrases for incandescent anger compared to "well done, lads".
1. Dyche, Lampard, Benitez, Ancelotti, Allardyce, Silva, Koeman, Martinez, Moyes MUST GO!!
2. The board MUST GO!!
3. We need a clean slate, the players MUST GO!!
Quiet satisfaction is never a great motivator for bashing the keyboard…
26 Posted 28/04/2024 at 12:49:09
I believe in this second appeal that Everton are being very specific, yet the Premier League now suggest the whole thing is up for debate, further points deduction a possibility. They really are a bunch of corrupt bastards. The Man City case will make for interesting viewing.
It's great to feel calm today, what a wonderful week. Relegation threat behind us. How can we go months without winning and then have weeks like this?
Much to do in the summer. Some out-of-contract leavers, probably a few sales, hopefully a few key acquisitions from the limited spend available, and good use of loan system.
Above all, the ownership of the club must be sorted. We need to start next season with clear heads…
27 Posted 28/04/2024 at 13:04:46
I, like us all, would love a hi-profile manager – fact is, we're miles off. I think the 15 games and 1 win was not good enough.
The Chelsea game was the best thing that happened to Dyche – we all need a kick up the arse at times.
Let's be honest, Moshiri is the main problem. That man… unbelievable how he has ruined this historic club and I can't hate him enough for it, joker that he is.
Make no mistake, it's going to be another tough season but, in all fairness, after this week, Dyche will be the man to move us forward.
I believe that it will be another fight to get players in. I have no doubt we will lose a couple of our best players… thanks, Moshiri, you twit.
In Dyche, at least we have a man who knows this league. My hope is we get at least 2 forwards who are capable of getting 20 goals between them. And if we can somehow keep hold of Jarrad Braithwaite.
It's a start – we are a mess of a club – if this manager goes, god knows what happens. Who the hell would want to manage this club? Rooney… come on!! Not after Birmingham.
So we've got to be realistic for now, let's all get behind Dyche, he works hard with what he's got and no-one else is going to come here and do any better.
All I'd say is he has to learn: 1 win in 15 is not acceptable but he knows that he's learning too. Come on, Blues – this man deserves a chant from the stands a lot more than Lampard did.
I tell you that he is the manager we all want but, with the rubbish he is dealing with, he's doing a great job. Maybe we should show him some love for saving us again?
28 Posted 28/04/2024 at 14:38:05
Thanks Dyche!!!!!
29 Posted 28/04/2024 at 15:55:37
I'm just wondering where exactly the 3-4 Live Forum posters are who were repeatedly insisting that frickin Luton Town were better than Everton?! Where they at now?!
This week has been tremendous, happiness is possible as a Blue!
30 Posted 28/04/2024 at 16:22:53
31 Posted 28/04/2024 at 16:43:09
Cold, hard logic (and much research) shows the benefits of playing to your strengths. We have a good defence and keeper, no goalscorers or pace. Any decent manager would focus on the defence. The idea that underperfoming, relegation-threatened teams will win games by playing all-out attack has been exposed for the nonsense it is.
The last Everton team that entertained me was Martinez's first season. Since then, managers with huge budgets have bored me rigid with the odd good performance.
Now that we've plummeted down the league and have spent every dodgy lender's money in the process, I'm happy to support a manager who knows the obvious; good teams are first built on a sound defence. I hope Dyche is here long enough to have a chance to buy attacking players he wants.
32 Posted 28/04/2024 at 17:01:35
He's got red hair, but we don't care. Track-suited Dyche
?
33 Posted 28/04/2024 at 17:18:57
Seriously though, as we all know, it used to be something to look forward to, good banter, good laugh and some good football comments etc. Only takes a couple of bad apples to turn the rest off. You would never guess we allegedly support the same side in some cases.
34 Posted 28/04/2024 at 20:59:44
Well done to the manager and players. We can enjoy the last three games and it's pissed Sky off that their relegation decider on Friday night is now a damp squib.
What's a squib?
35 Posted 28/04/2024 at 23:04:16
"What's a squib?"
A sea creature a bit like an Octobus! :-)
36 Posted 29/04/2024 at 10:33:34
Our fan base is the best in the Premier League – special is all I can say. Let's get behind Dyche. We're stuck at the moment with what we have.
Dogs of War... Manager, players and fans. Fuck the rest. COYB!.
37 Posted 30/04/2024 at 02:01:32
Having SkyTv, I record the game and get up about 6.30 to see it. Just have to avoid seeing the result on my phone first.
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1 Posted 27/04/2024 at 21:22:11
I don't think even the more optimistic amongst us would honestly have believed that was possible, and especially when one was against our Liverpool rivals, who have had their slim chances of a title shredded.
Okay, the football hasn't been pretty for a lot of the games, and it was evident that confidence was possibly at its lowest.
Fair play, we got there in the end, under the guidance of Dyche. I can't heap enough praise on him for his overall achievement, but especially this week!