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
It's a strange choice from Pinnock to cross it to Mee in his own box and the power sends it bouncing off him and out for an Everton corner under no pressure. McNeil's corner is nodded down by Doucoure, but not on target.
Everton vs Brentford
GREAT CHANCE! It's a wonderful delivery from Janelt on the right and Toney manages to shake Coleman before stooping to header it. He can't direct it back on target though, and it bounces wide of the far post.
Everton vs Brentford
SAVE! It's better from Brentford here as Damsgaard darts down the left before switching it to Henry. He cushions it into Mbeumo, who gets a lot of power behind his shot from the edge of the box. Pickford initially spills it but keeps it on the second attempt.
Everton vs Brentford
Jensen's corner is flicked away from Pickford's outstretched hands by Tarkowski and it falls to Hickey on the far side. He tries to take it past Gray, who nudges him over to prevent another cross from going in.
Everton vs Brentford
The Everton fans aren't happy as they think that Jensen is taking too long over a throw-in. He eventually decides to put a long one into the box, but can't pick out a team-mate.
Everton vs Brentford
GOOD SAVE! Henry gifts the ball to Coleman, who touches it forward for Iwobi. His whipped cross is too close to Raya, who pushes it away from his goal, but only as far as Onana, who fires his first-time effort high over the bar.
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