Everton secures Premier League survival with a win over Brentford

Everton capped a season-defining week with a third successive home win to secure their Premier League status as Idrissa Gueye scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Brentford.

For the second successive campaign, it was a midfielder – a year ago Abdoulaye Doucoure did the honors on the final day – who stepped up as the Toffees’ savior and ensured their final season at Goodison Park will be in the top flight.

Last Saturday, the Senegalese international’s first goal since February 2017 paved the way for a crucial victory over Nottingham Forest.

And after a rare win over Liverpool in midweek, Gueye, who had scored just four times in 186 league appearances before last weekend, made it two in three games as he burst through a crowd of players to settle an uninspiring affair .

However, the quality of the entertainment will make little difference to Everton and their fans as a win in any way puts them beyond the reach of 18th-placed Luton, who were defeated at Wolves earlier in the day as they move ahead of 11 points. with only three games to go.

At the final whistle the celebrations were muted with the knowledge that, had it not been for two separate deductions totaling eight points for breaches of profitability and sustainability rules, life would have been a lot more comfortable for Sean Dyche’s side.

But with Goodison deservedly handed a farewell season in the Premier League – their 71st consecutive top-flight campaign – before moving to Bramley-Moore Dock, the club’s future now hinges on the takeover of 777 Partners, which is set to culminate in a 10th month.

After a first half without a shot on target, the game came alive five minutes after the break when Mathias Jensen’s low pass behind the back four found Ivan Toney at the far post, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford threw himself in the way.

It was the wake-up call the hosts needed and after Dwight McNeil’s rising 30-yard drive bounced back off the crossbar, the breakthrough came from Everton’s new goalscoring midfielder.

A corner was not cleared properly and when Nathan Collins’ challenge put the ball into Gueye’s path he drove home with great joy.

James Garner’s free-kick rebounded off the crossbar in extra time, but they didn’t need the safety net of a second goal.

Everton’s stats in the first half of this season have been both impressive and dismal, depending on which side of the pitch they are on.

They are the best in the league when it comes to opposing goals. They have kept a clean sheet in 23 of their 35 games but have failed to score themselves on 23 occasions, with only Luton and Sheffield United being worse.

So it was perhaps no surprise that the first 45 minutes ended with a total of 16 shots, but none on target.

Youssef Chermiti was handed his first Premier League start in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was still battling illness despite his man-of-the-match display in the midweek Merseyside derby victory, and Beto, out due to concussion protocols .

The 19-year-old had previously played just 70 minutes, with all but one of his 15 substitute appearances coming in the final ten minutes, with his longest spell of 24 minutes coming back in August.

However, he almost had a dream start when his lunge to the far post almost linked up with McNeil’s angled drive.

The chance fell to Abdoulaye Doucoure, from Chermiti’s shot, but he hit wide with his weaker left foot.

That aside, the half seemed to be one for England auditions, with Jarrad Branthwaite improving his reputation and Toney, without a league goal since mid-February, doing the opposite as his season reflects his club’s descent into mediocrity.