Evertonians can sleep peacefully in May for the first time in three years. Their team has suffered two points deductions totalling eight points, their club faces an uncertain financial and ownership future, but they will have top-flight football for a 71st consecutive year thanks to the superb accomplishments of Sean Dyche and his players.
Idrissa Gana Gueye delivered victory over Brentford and Premier League safety into the bargain. It was an arduous watch, “quite boring” admitted a frank Thomas Frank, lacking the quality, intensity and emotion of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby defeat of Liverpool.
Everton could not care less. Having avoided relegation only in the final week of the past two seasons, safety has been achieved in relative comfort this time. But, of course, it has been anything but comfortable. Dyche and his team have faced unprecedented setbacks. They were routed 6-0 at Chelsea less than a fortnight ago. The response has been exemplary – three home wins in a week, four home wins in succession, and all with the foundation of a clean sheet.
The Everton manager was rightly proud of the collective, defiant effort that has ensured Goodison Park will continue to host Premier League football for the final year of its existence next season.
“It is my biggest one [achievement] to lead a group from where it was to where it is,” said Dyche. “It’s different to last season, which was tough enough, but this season has been incredibly tough.
“It feels very good, coming out of all the knocks we have had. We have relied on no one but ourselves. We have not been given anything, no easy ride and I’m super-proud. This job isn’t what it was when it got pitched to me and I’ve had to focus and refocus. This is the new job in hand. The eight points is the biggest thing. You are not going to cry it in when it happens but what it does is change the mentality.”
Everton came into the game knowing victory would guarantee survival thanks to Luton’s defeat at Wolves. The result at Molineux had secured Brentford’s safety before kick-off. The occasion may not have lived up to the prize at stake but that was secondary. For the hosts, it was about getting the job done and their task was not helped by Dominic Calvert-Lewin being forced to miss out because of illness and a knee problem. With Beto also missing as he recovers from a head injury Dyche gave 19-year-old Youssef Chermiti his first Premier League start. The teenager endured a difficult baptism against the vastly more experienced and physical defensive duo of Nathan Collins and Ethan Pinnock but improved as the game wore on.
The first half was a non-event. At the start of the second Ivan Toney was presented with a fine opportunity to break the stalemate when Yoane Wissa released Mathias Jensen and the midfielder swept an inviting cross behind Ben Godfrey. Toney connected cleanly at the back post but Jordan Pickford blocked superbly at point-blank range. Moments later Dwight McNeil sized up Mark Flekken’s goal from 25 yards out and let fly with a ferocious drive that smacked the Brentford crossbar.
Gueye’s immense efforts were rewarded with a second goal in three games as Dyche’s team profited from a set piece yet again.
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The midfielder kept the pressure on after a McNeil corner was headed clear, first having a shot blocked and then floating a good ball out to Jack Harrison. The winger found Jarrad Branthwaite and, though his shot was blocked by Collins, the rebound fell perfectly for the incoming Gueye to sweep home.
Pickford saved well from Bryan Mbeumo as Brentford finished strongly, although the forward and Jensen squared up to each other after the final whistle and had to be separated by Toney. James Garner also struck the bar before Everton’s survival was secured. “Everton has become an easy story, the whipping boys of the Premier League,” added Dyche. “Now we are beginning to change it. Let someone else have the negativity.”
