Everton vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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An early goal from Dwight McNeil earned Everton a precious 1-0 win over Brentford at Goodison Park that dragged Sean Dyche’s struggling side out of the Premier League relegation zone on Saturday.
McNeil put Everton in front with a superb left-footed finish in the opening minute after an assist by Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The home side spurned several chances to extend their lead in the first half, with Michael Keane, Amadou Onana and Demarai Gray all guilty of poor finishing, while Brentford keeper David Raya saved well from Alex Iwobi following a corner.
Gray, who shot straight at Raya when put clean through by Idrissa Gueye just after the half-hour mark, bundled home minutes before halftime but the video assistant referee ruled the goal out for handball.
Everton keeper Jordan Pickford denied Rico Henry with an excellent save minutes into the second half in a match in which Everton’s back line did brilliantly to deny Brentford’s prolific target man Ivan Toney the time and space to operate.
Brentford pushed hard for an equaliser and dominated possession after the break, coming agonisingly close in injury time when Raya went up for a corner in the dying minutes but headed narrowly wide.
Victory moved Everton up four places to 15th in the table on 25 points, while Brentford stayed ninth.
Everton vs Brentford
The teams are out on the pitch now, with kick-off just moments away!
Everton vs Brentford
London clubs have lost their last three Premier League away games against Everton since Chelsea won 1-0 on the opening weekend. Indeed, three of Everton's four home wins this season have come against London sides (West Ham, Crystal Palace and Arsenal).
Everton vs Brentford
There's just one change by Thomas Frank from the win over Fulham on Monday. Janelt is brought in for Wissa, who drops to the bench.
Everton vs Brentford
Despite not holding out for a win against Forest last weekend, Dyche was clearly pleased with his side's performance as he names an unchanged line-up here. Gray continues to lead the line in Dominic Calvert Lewin's absence. They do have Mykolenko back on the bench after he missed that game through illness.
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