Everton vs Brentford. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance39,098.
Report and free match highlights as Everton secure their Premier League status with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brentford at Goodison Park; Idrissa Gueye scored his second goal in three games to clinch a third home victory in the space of a week
Sunday 28 April 2024 07:13, UK
Goodison Park will host Premier League football in its final season after Idrissa Gueye's strike sealed a 1-0 victory for Everton over Brentford.
The hosts scored with their only shot on target for the first time in a Premier League game since their 1-1 draw with Manchester City in December 2022.
After notching the opener in the victory over Nottingham Forest last Sunday, Gueye's influence has shone through during a perfect week for Sean Dyche's side, who backed up Wednesday's colossal Merseyside derby victory with a third straight win.
His swept finish on the hour-mark sparked the game into life after both sides had struggled to create chances in a game low on quality but of huge significance.
The only goal came moments after Jordan Pickford saved superbly to deny Ivan Toney in Brentford's only big chance of the contest. The result moves Everton above their opponents into 15th place on 36 points - an unassailable gap to 18th-placed Luton in the relegation zone.
There shall be a 71st consecutive season in the top flight of English football for Everton. A 122nd campaign when the curtain comes down on Goodison Park, a little over 12 months from now, in the country's top tier - more than any other club in English football history.
The Old Lady shook to its foundations when Liverpool's title hopes were left in tatters. How this true cathedral to the world of football has glistened these past seven days, a fortress that has carried Everton to safety.
"It's been a great week for the club," said Jamie Carragher. "Three clean sheets, not just the three wins. They've gone back to what Everton and Dyche do."
Luton's defeat at Wolves earlier on Saturday had already confirmed Brentford's safety before a ball was kicked on Merseyside. The less said about the first half, the better.
Jarrad Branthwaite made an excellent block to deny Mathias Jensen from Vitaly Janelt's cross while Dwight McNeil's shot fizzed across goal and inches away from Youssef Chermiti's outstretched boot on his full Premier League debut. The defences were on top with neither goalkeeper tested by an attempt on target at the break.
Former Everton defender Phil Jagielka told Sky Sports: "It's a team that has just found out they're safe for next season against a team that knows a point or two will keep them up. It's been a bit scrappy."
That was an understatement - but both sides came close to breaking the deadlock within 10 minutes of the restart.
First, Toney was denied brilliantly by Pickford at the far post after a fine touch from Yoane Wissa into the path of Mathias Jensen. Everton then responded as McNeil rattled Mark Flekken's crossbar from distance.
The hosts still had not mustered a shot on target - until they broke the deadlock on the hour-mark. Brentford failed to clear a corner as Gueye found Jack Harrison in space. His low cross was taken in by Branthwaite, whose blocked attempt squirted free for Gueye to curl a precise finish beyond Flekken.
The impressive McNeil ripped another shot across goal while there were other opportunities to make this a more emphatic win. Chermiti, judged offside from McNeil's clever pass, lifted a shot over when VAR may have ruled him to be on while Abdoulaye Doucoure was also denied by Flekken before the offside flag was again raised.
In the closing stages, James Garner's fine free-kick struck the woodwork before substitute Kevin Schade's shot was saved low to Pickford's left. Both these sides will do it all over again next season, much to the delight of Dyche and the Goodison faithful.
As the players embarked on a lap of appreciation towards fans who have stuck by them through tumultuous months amid financial breaches, The Seekers' We Shall Not Be Moved was played out in defiance.
Attention will turn from staying up to staying alive. With 777 Partners not yet able to convince the Premier League it has the funds to complete a proposed takeover after several months, there remains a protracted uncertainty over Everton's ownership and financial future.
But on the pitch, Dyche, his coaching staff and his players have made light of their predicament compared to recent seasons; they've stayed up with three games to spare - and would now be within a win of the top half were it not for their eight-point deduction.
Everton defender James Tarkowski told Sky Sports:
"It's been some turnaround. Last week [the 6-0 loss to Chelsea] was probably the lowest point of our season. To come back the way we have, with three wins, a derby win, and today again... I think today's the toughest game of the three just because of the high of the other night.
"Fair play to the lads and the manager. We were in a dark place. To turn us around in that time, the lads have shown up and given their all and you can see how much it means to those fans.
"[Idrissa] Gueye has been incredible. Two massive goals, first of all, but the work he gets through for us is unbelievable."
Everton boss Sean Dyche: "It feels very good, coming out of all the knocks we have had.
"We have relied on no-one but ourselves. No-one outside the club and the fans, we have not been given anything, no easy ride and I'm super proud.
"It is my biggest one (achievement), to lead a group from where it was to where it is. It's different to last season, which was tough enough, but this season has been incredibly tough.
"It's been an exhausting week for many reasons, highs from the big win on Wednesday. The emotion that goes into that, I wondered how the players would respond. With xG we've been questioned for how many times we haven't won games. It's paid us back."
On the fact they are safe now but effectively were already: "Yeah of course, that old chestnut. 'You were safe and all that'. You were all desperate for Luton to win and us to lose. This isn't my first rodeo."
Brentford boss Thomas Frank: "Very tight game. Not many chances. Probably a 0-0 game. A little bit boring. We know how difficult Everton are to play against. We had the biggest chance of the game with Ivan."
On avoiding relegation being their goal at the start of the season: "No no no no no. Never never never never. We never talk about a target of staying in the Premier League. We always want to finish as high as possible.
"I don't like losing. It was an average game. It's a little irritating to me."
Former Everton defender Phil Jagielka on Sky Sports:
"First of all, it's relief. You've got to take your hat off. It's been an emotional and massive week.
"Three wins at any time of the season is huge but to do it now and cement your place in the best division in the world is fantastic."
Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports:
"There was an impetus about Everton second half. McNeil started to get on the ball and make things happen.
"They got the goal and they are very good at defending. They know their jobs, they work extremely hard. It was a really important three points for them.
"You knew they would find a win from somewhere but the form they have been in of late has been fantastic."
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds:
Arnaut Danjuma was quick to make the point out on the pitch as he mobbed the match-winner. "The best player on the pitch," he said as he pointed at the head of Gueye.
The Senegalese, whose current deal expires at the end of June, has not been known for his goalscoring prowess during his time on Merseyside. In fact, rewinding only a week and he had scored just once from 99 shots during his time at Everton.
But in making that two from 100 in the vital 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, he backed up an impressive display in the Merseyside derby with another goal to preserve Everton's Premier League status.
Jagielka had warned that Brentford would pose arguably the toughest test of the week, given that the Forest and Liverpool assignments spoke for themselves.
Toney was back, and the shackles were off Thomas Frank's side after their own safety was assured before kick-off. An anxiety that has pervaded matches at Goodison was drifting back in when Pickford made a brilliant save to deny Brentford's returning talisman.
But Gueye's timely intervention transformed the mood, and rubber-stamped just why tying him down to a contract extension is so important this summer.
Everton face Luton Town live on Friday Night Football on May 3, kick-off 8pm, while Brentford host Fulham on May 4, kick-off 3pm.
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