Everton 1 Brentford 0
After back-to-back wins, most notably ending their locals rivals title challenge in the week, Everton were full of confidence coming into this game. Sean Dyche’s side had the chance of going above the visitors, Brentford, with victory at Goodison Park.
The Toffees started on the front foot. As the ball was played to the back post, it found McNeil who drove a shot come shot across goal. Chermiti slid in and was close to diverting it into the goal. An early warning for Thomas Frank’s side.
Brentford were struggling to cope with the intensity of Everton’s direct play. As the ball was launched forward, it was laid off to Doucoure in the box, but he sliced his effort well wide of goal. He really should be hitting the target from such a position.
Both sides are pretty safe from being involved in the relegation mix now and this game had all the vibes of an end of season encounter. The first half had very few chances with The Bees failing to work Pickford whatsoever. A stern half-time team talk seemed needed.
Credit: @premierleague
After the interval, Jensen put a teasing ball into the back post and picked out Toney. The Brentford talisman looked to hit his shot first time but Pickford did brilliantly to block the ball and gather at the second time of asking.
Dyche’s side started to get into the half more and McNeil picked the ball up some way out and shifted it onto his stronger left foot. He drilled a shot at goal from some way out, only to see it come thundering back off the crossbar. So close to an opening goal.
With half an hour of the game remaining Everton forced a corner. As the visitors struggled to clear their lines, the ball broke to Gueye in the box. He passed the ball into the far corner to give Sean Dyche’s side the lead. Goodison Park erupted.
The visitors forced a corner and as the ball came in, Toney improvised and flicked towards goals with a backheel. It seemed to strike Tarkowski on the hand and Pickford got down to make the save. There was not much of an appeal by any Brentford player.
Everton had a free kick late on in the game and Garner seemed to be looking to curl a cross into the box. It looped over Flekken and cracked against the crossbar and came back out. Not sure whether the midfielder intended it, but he almost caught out the Brentford keeper.
Schade picked the ball up just outside the box and looked to let fly from outside the box. Pickford got down well to make the save and was quick to get up and dive on the ball to ensure that the visitors could not capitalise on the rebound.
Credit: @premierleague
The Toffees held on for the win and their fine end to the season continues. Dyche knows that his side are now mathematically safe and will be playing Premier League football again next season. Thomas Frank was disappointed with his side’s performance but again their safety was all that mattered.
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