10/05 - 19:30
10/05 - 19:45
10/05 - 20:00
10/05 - 20:00
10/05 - 19:30
10/05 - 19:45
10/05 - 20:00
10/05 - 20:00
A strike from Idrissa Gueye was enough to earn Everton a 1-0 win over Brentford, as both sides celebrated preserving their top flight status at Goodison Park on Saturday.
An uneventful first half was followed by an improved display from both teams after the break. Ivan Toney saw the Bees' best chance saved by Jordan Pickford and Dwight McNeil hit the bar for the hosts with a long-range thunderbolt before Gueye scored the eventual matchwinner with a fierce finish high into the net.
The Action: Although the first 45 minutes was high on endeavour, it was light on goal-mouth action and fluid attacking football.
A blocked effort from Mathias Jensen was as close as the visitors came to opening their account, while the Toffees had a couple of their own efforts charged down.
There may have been 16 shots, but the fact neither side recorded a shot on target in the opening period spoke volumes.
Half-time: Everton 0-0 Brentford
The game livened up after the interval and Brentford striker Ivan Toney was kicking himself for not putting the Bees a goal up after 50 minutes. A beautifully weighted cross from midfielder Jensen found Toney in the box, but his left-footed strike was smothered by Jordan Pickford.
On 54 minutes, Everton showed real attacking intent of their own: Dwight McNeil smacking a lovely 25-yard strike against Brentford's crossbar.
Both sides had fired shots across the boughs of the other, but it was Everton who drew first blood on the hour mark when a sustained spell of pressure ended with Idrissa Gueye blasted home from inside the box. A VAR review ensued, but the goal stood.
Bees sub Keane Lewis-Potter stung the palms of Pickford, and Kevin Schade drew another late stop from the England goalkeeper, but the home side finished the stronger and held on to record a valuable win that sealed their Premier League status for another season.
Despite losing, Thomas Frank's Brentford were also able to celebrate securing their top flight status - the Bees finishing the day 10 points clear of 18th-placed Luton, with three games left to play.
