Everton returned to Hill Dickinson Stadium after back-to-back away fixtures, claiming four points and two clean sheets. With David Moyes’s men having three home games in the space of a week, this presented an opportunity to gain momentum and continue to pick up valuable points. The opponents, Brentford, have defied all expectations and sat only a place below the Toffees, with Keith Andrews impressing in his maiden managerial position in the Premier League. Michael Keane and Jack Grealish were deemed fit enough to start, replacing Nathan Patterson and Merlin Röhl from the recent win at the City Ground.
After a never-ending siren blared on the tannoy, eventually followed by the famous Z-Cars soundtrack, Everton began on the front foot and managed to create a couple of half-chances. Dwight McNeil had an early effort on target as Jack Grealish picked up a loose ball and drove towards the box before setting up McNeil, only for his deflected effort to be palmed away by former Red, Caoimhín Kelleher. The resulting corner was met by James Tarkowski, whose header was cleared off the line by in-form striker Igor Thiago.
Unfortunately for the Blues, this was to be the end of any hope all afternoon, as both the aforementioned Tarkowski and Thiago were involved when Brentford took an early lead in the 11th minute. The centre-back took a chance and played a risky pass into the feet of Tim Iroegbunam, who was already under pressure. Vitaly Janelt nicked the ball and played a dangerous cross between Michael Keane and Jordan Pickford, which was met on the volley by the Brazilian striker.
The remainder of the half was ominous for Everton, as Brentford looked sharp—cutting out attacks, winning second balls, and carving the Toffees open with ease. Thiago should have made it two just before the break after being threaded through by Mathias Jensen, but his effort was expertly saved by Pickford as he rushed out to close the angle.
Moyes reacted to a woeful first half by bringing McNeil and Tyler Dibling off. Neither could have any complaints, having failed to make an impact. Beto and Röhl were introduced as the Everton boss opted to field two strikers.
Beto showed fight and instantly closed down an attempted clearance, but he couldn’t get control of the ball to set up a shot in the box. However, Nathan Collins silenced the crowd just as Beto and company had given the home supporters a glimmer of hope, as the Irish centre-back rose highest at the near post to nod a corner home. The set-piece goal felt all too familiar, notably recalling concessions against Spurs and Newcastle.
Inexplicably, Brentford struck again just a minute later. Iroegbunam lost possession once more—one of many who looked lost on the pitch—and the ball eventually fell to Jensen, who played the lively Kevin Schade through. The forward waited for Thiago to arrive, who collected possession and slotted home for his second.
The mood turned sour, with some fans having seen enough already. An ever-ringing tannoy announcement did little to help, as the away fans cheered every time it echoed around the ground. Jack Grealish, the only man in blue who looked in control on the ball, whipped in a dangerous delivery after the hour mark and found Beto, who guided the ball into the back of the net. The Portuguese striker rushed back to the centre circle, but Brentford remained in control and looked unlikely to relinquish their two-goal advantage.
As Everton threw bodies forward, Brentford delivered the killer blow in the 88th minute. Thiago stood unmarked on the halfway line and was released by Collins following a poor home cross. The striker raced clear and coolly lofted the ball over Pickford, wheeling away to complete his hat-trick.
Jack Grealish registered his second assist of the afternoon as he hung a ball towards the back post, where Thierno Barry rose to score his third goal of the season—a small glimmer of positivity in a dismal 90-minute display from the home side. Once again, Everton failed to capitalise on a promising position in the table and slipped down to 12th.
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