Everton 2 Brentford 3: Nine-man Toffees blow chance to guarantee Premier League safety after twice throwing away lead
THE party had started at Goodison Park.
Then Brentford turned the music off, nicked the last of the cans and guaranteed a very bad hangover for every Evertonian.
They had been jumping and shouting as their side twice took the lead in searched of the three points to secure Premier League safety.
But the joy, turned to desolation as Brentford stung Frank Lampard’s side with two second half goals.
Now there are ramifications.
It is still in the Toffees hands to get out of a very sticky situation.
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They could sort it with a win over Crystal Palace at home, but they won’t want to go to Champions League chasing Arsenal on the final day with everything still up in the air.
What and afternoon of drama it was.
They home side lead after 10 minutes through Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the script looked to be written.
But it was torn up with a red card for Jarrad Branthwaite on 18 minutes when he pulled back Ivan Toney who was through on goal.
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Brentford levelled on 37 minutes through a Seamus Coleman own goal, Everton rallied with Richarlison penalty right on half-time but in the second half the extra man told.
Christian Eriksen controlled matters and headers from Yoane Wissa on 62 minutes and Rico Henry just two minutes later won the game.
Another red this time for sub Salomon Rondon completed the misery.
How an atmosphere can change inside a ground.
The team got an incredible welcome in the roads around Goodison as the team bus approached.
Inside it was jumping as kick-off approached.
That wave of emotion spilled on to the pitch as Everton went at it from the start and took the lead.
A clumsy challenge by Mads Sorensen on Anthony Gordon wide on the right gave the home side a free kick.
Gordon himself took it but it was not a great delivery as it swung low into the box.
Richarlison had a swing at it and missed and the ball clipped off Calvert-Lewin’s chest and found it’s way into the far bottom corner.
His first goal since August and he was claiming it.
Then in it all changed when Mathias Jensen turned defence into attack by launching the ball upfield to Toney
Branthwaite, just 19 and starting in only his third Premier League game of the season was in trouble.
He pulled back Toney to stop him having a free run on goal and the Brentford forward went down.
Michael Oliver did not hesitate in giving the red card as Branthwaite was the last man.
But Frank Lampard was furious that they had not been given a penalty just before the ball was launched upfield for a pull on Richarlison.
It brought Brentford back into it and when Wissa’s cross deflected off Coleman’s head and went past Pickford they were level.
Everton van dig deep and did to get back ahead.
Calvert-Lewin won a great flick on and Sorensen made a right mess of trying to clear, compounding his error as he kneed the Everton forward in the chest.
The Everton players thought he should be sent off having already been booked, but only the penalty was awarded.
Up stepped Richarlison with a stuttered run-up and as goalkeeper David Raya went one way the ball went the other.
Lampard punched the air, his passion reflecting that around the ground.
But Brentford despite having long since secured safety were not on the beach, not even in the taxi to the airport.
They have been on such a journey in their first Premier League season that they don’t want it to end.
Eriksen was excellent
It was his inswinging corner that Wissa met with the slightest back flick with his head.
There was so much pace on the ball it only needed that slightest touch and the ball shot across Pickford and into the far side of the goal.
Richarlison lost his man for that one and Anthony Gordon was guilty of doing the same with Henry two minutes later as Brentford took the lead.
Christian Norgaard was the supplier with the delicious delivery from the right, Henry ghosted past Gordon and his thumping header gave Pickford no chance.
Goodison was now shell shocked, heads in hands everywhere.
The frustration was mirrored in Rondon’s awful foul on Henry that got a straight red.
The drama continues, the nails continue to be bitten.
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Everton are still not safe.
See how the action unfolded below...