Everton’s wait for confirmation of Premier League status goes on after ending with nine men in home defeat to Brentford

A torrid season goes on at Goodison Park with Everton still waiting on their Premier League status being confirmed following another disappointing afternoon culminating in a 3-2 defeat to Brentford.

Even with Leeds United’s late equaliser at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, Frank Lampard’s side went into Sunday’s late kick-off knowing that a win would finally see them mathematically safe.

That was not to be how it ended though after an attention-grabbing 90 minutes on Merseyside which saw the Bees come out on top.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin had Everton ahead early on before young centre back Jarrad Branthwaite was sent off. Brentford then equalised through a Seamus Coleman own goal while Richarlison put the hosts back in front in first-half stoppage time from the penalty spot.

Two goals in two second-half minutes won it for Brentford though, Yoane Wissa and Rico Henry on target, with substitute Salomon Rondon receiving his marching orders for Everton late on just four minutes after coming on from the bench.

Calvert-Lewin started for the first time since April 9 and made an almost instant impact, getting the faintest of touches on a whipped in free-kick from Anthony Gordon to convert on seven minutes.

Goodison Park was raucous with smoke bombs aplenty and was filled with anger when young defender Branthwaite saw red from Michael Oliver ten minutes later. The 19-year-old brought down Ivan Toney as the last man, but that came seconds after Lampard’s side were denied a penalty with Richarlison’s shirt clearly being pulled in the box at the other end.

That anger continued with Brentford failing to put the ball out of play when the Brazilian forward was down injured, and though Andre Gomes did try his luck from range seeing a shot well held by Bees goalkeeper David Raya, Everton failed to harness the energy from a baying crowd.

Thomas Frank’s visitors equalised on 37 minutes through Coleman’s own goal, Wissa the architect with a jinking run into the box and a shot at goal which cannoned in off the Irish international’s head.

It had looked like the Bees would go in at least level, Bryan Mbeumo forcing Jordan Pickford into a smart stop soon after, but they conceded a penalty as the board with three minutes of added time went up.

Already booked, Mads Bech Sorensen avoided a second yellow card – and a red – for bringing down Richarlison with the defender replaced at half-time after his Everton counterpart had dispatched the spot-kick.

Up until the hour-mark, the 10 men held on in a low block, but their resolute defending was undone on 62 minutes by Wissa and of all places, it came via a set-piece. The Brentford forward glanced a corner on at the front post with the ball looping into the net to level.

And just two minutes later, the winner came through full back Henry who arrowed a header home having met Christian Norgaard’s inch-perfect cross into the area.

From there on, Everton found it difficult to break through and create any clear-cut opportunities to get back into the contest. Frustrations grew amidst the Toffees’ faithful as Raya tipped an Abdoulaye Doucoure header over the bar.

Venezuelan Rondon was Lampard’s last roll of the dice on 84 minutes, aiming to create a physical presence up top, but his spell on the pitch lasted just four minutes. A lunging tackle on Henry by the left touchline brought a second red card, the first time in 15 years that hosts Everton have had two men sent off in the same game.

So, heading into the final week of the Premier League season, Everton still are not mathematically safe. Sat 16^th, two points above the bottom three, they twice are in action. After a last home game against Crystal Palace (May 19), they head to the capital and take on Arsenal (May 22).

Points on the road have been hard to come by for the Merseyside outfit so far this term, but they may need to dig deep and pull some out to ensure survival.

As for Brentford, they too could still have a big say in the relegation battle, welcoming Leeds on the final day next Sunday. Frank’s side have had a remarkable first-ever season in the Premier League, now with 46 points in 11^th, and have a top 10 spot in their sights.

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