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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Thomas

Everton have perfect opportunity to repay incredible fans and banish relegation fear

The agony, tension and nerves are set to continue for at least another 90 minutes as Everton seek to confirm their Premier League survival on Sunday.

Whether the Blues can guarantee their Premier League status against Brentford will depend on other results but the game - at Goodison Park, with another passionate backing - represents an opportunity to take, at the very least, a massive stride towards safety.

Should Everton win, whatever happens elsewhere, they are likely to need just one more point from the last two games to then secure survival considering Leeds United's vastly inferior goal difference.

READ MORE: Frank Lampard faces Dominic Calvert-Lewin conundrum as Everton wait on injuries

READ MORE: Every word Frank Lampard said on Everton injury blow and Dele Alli talks before Brentford

It feels too repetitive to label the visit of the Bees as another 'cup final' or the next 'biggest game in recent memory' but, such is the peril of Everton's situation, both descriptions ring true. A win would ultimately do two things - confirm, or come close to confirming, the Blues' place in the top flight for another year and, as a result, relieve the stress felt by all those desperate to stop worrying about relegation.

That is perhaps why the result against Watford on Wednesday felt so frustrating, and maybe even disappointing. It was not so much that it highlighted the limitations of this Everton side - it was the confirmation the agony of the survival battle would be prolonged for at least a few more days. After the game Frank Lampard said it was a time to be level-headed and he was, of course, correct.

He said: "We toiled and kept trying to play and produce in the final third and we were slightly off, but I was thinking after the game - you offer us seven points from Chelsea, Leicester and Watford, we bite your hand off. You offer us the position we are in now - to have it in our own hands with two games up at Goodison - we would bite your hand off."

That is definitely true. And a sense of context remained important - yes Watford were relegated and had lost their last 11 home games. But Everton went to Vicarage Road having avoided defeat away from Goodison Park just once since the middle of December - and that had been in the previous game at Leicester City. Against that backdrop, the point at Watford was still a sign of progress. Now Everton are back in L4 they have a golden opportunity to end the anxiety of this relegation dogfight, and end it early.

Four points from Brentford and Crystal Palace would, essentially, be enough to secure safety before the trip to Arsenal on the final day of the season. Three could well be enough. The mere fact Everton are in this position is credit to the recent upturn in form - boosted by the sensational backing of the fanbase. That will be repeated on Sunday - and then again on Thursday if needed. The way the supporters have mobilised to spur on the players has been remarkable - after the memorable scenes against Chelsea, the away ends at the King Power Stadium and Vicarage Road dominated anything the home crowds could muster.

Lampard has given them a figurehead to unite behind, an impressive feat vital to the unity that has been so crucial. It seems fitting therefore that the opportunity to take a giant leap towards safety should come against Brentford. Lampard's first game as Blues boss was that blistering 4-1 victory over the same side in the fourth round of the FA Cup back in February.

The crowd showed their support for his arrival at that game and, three months later and despite the struggles that have followed, he has retained it. It is a relationship that holds so much potential for Everton going forward. For that potential to be realised the Blues need to make sure they stay in the Premier League. Brentford are a good side and will present a tough challenge but Sunday's game is an unmissable chance to move, at the very least, to the brink of survival - and what better way to repay the fans for their help and support than findingthree points that could save them from another week of sleepless nights.

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