Even though Richarlison restored Everton’s lead just before the break, the pressure paid off in the second half, as Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry scored two goals in three minutes to give Brentford their first league double over Everton since 1936, leaving Frank Lampard’s side only two points above the bottom three.
Everton’s woes were worsened when substitute Salomon Rondon was sent off late for a reckless challenge on Henry. Everton fans had given their players a rousing welcome before the game, with the team vans barely making it to the Goodison gates amid a cloud of blue flares, but they had fled in droves before the final whistle.
At first, it seemed so unusual. When Calvert-Lewin flicked the ball on less than three minutes later, Anthony Gordon burst through, and Richarlison headed just wide after his effort was stopped.
Gordon won a free kick on the right and whipped in a low pass that Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin combined to send into the far corner of the net. The stadium’s roof was on the verge of collapsing, but eight minutes later, the mood had shifted.
Richarlison demanded a penalty for handball, but Brentford pushed the ball long for Toney to race towards the goal. Branthwaite was sent off for clipping his heels, earning Brentford a free kick that Christian converted.
Everton found themselves on the back foot as Alex Iwobi moved to right-back and Brentford pressed forward. After Andre Gomes fluffed a clearance, Mathias Jensen fired just wide, but the pressure eventually got to Wissa, who pinged in a cross that captain Coleman turned into his own net.
Bryan Mbeumo tested Jordan Pickford from range for Everton, but Richarlison is always a threat in any situation, and the Brazilian turned things around for his side once more.
He barged his way into the area, was pulled down by a combination of Mads Bech Sorensen and Kristoffer Ajer, and recovered to score the penalty in first-half stoppage time. After the break, Everton sank deeper to defend, but Brentford quickly exploited the openings.
Toney was unable to avoid a Jensen shot, and as a result, received a hard knock to the face. Pickford then awkwardly punched an Eriksen free-kick into the crowd, thankful that Iwobi cleared it.
It was obvious that there was a lot of pressure. Michael Oliver was content to give both players talking to after Vitalii Mykolenko squared up to him and appeared to thrust his head towards him. Everton had been given a reprieve, but they were in for worse punishment. Wissa met Eriksen’s corner at the near post to head home in the 62nd minute, bringing Brentford level.
Everton fans had barely finished venting their frustrations about the poor marking when they saw Henry break free from Gordon to meet Christian Norgaard’s deep ball and power a header inside the far post, leaving Everton to look for redemption in their final two games against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
Frank Lampard will need to look for a new job if Everton gets relegated. Almost every top Everton player would be looking for a new career with another team so they could also stay and play in the Premier League. Staying in the Premier League helps them to earn a top salary for the work they do.
