Here are your Everton evening headlines for Saturday, March 11.
Everton fans prove Thomas Frank right as Sean Dyche rediscovers forgotten Goodison Park weapon
The siren set the tempo. That haunting, ear-splitting alarm rang around this famous old stadium for the first time this season. It echoed for an eternity and maybe, just maybe, the players were held back for an extra second or two so the piercing tone could have maximum impact.
It transformed a nervous, tense corner of L4 that was all too aware that Bournemouth had once again landed a blow to Everton’s hopes by beating, of all teams, a supposedly reborn Liverpool. Of course they did.
But as the rain fell and the coldness crept into nearly 40,000 desperate bones and the siren turned into Z-Cars and Seamus Coleman emerged, training top draped over a young mascot’s shoulders, the Grand Old Lady erupted. Would you want to be the enemy stepping onto this freezing, sodden battleground as the battle cry of a passionate, raucous fanbase dominates your senses? I would not.
READ MORE: Match of the Day to last just 20 minutes as BBC in turmoil after Gary Lineker decision
REPORT: What Everton players did to answer Sean Dyche challenge in huge Brentford win
Brentford may not have done either. The eleven players in red and white were perhaps still awestruck when Dwight McNeil collected the ball just inside their box and rifled into the far corner from 16 yards. The 35 second break from the start of the match to the goal simply had not been enough for the away side to find its composure.
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Everton player ratings as Dwight McNeil superb and seven more excellent in Brentford win
Dwight McNeil fired Everton up to 15th as they picked up a potentially crucial three points against Europe-chasing Brentford.
The Blues winger continues to return to form under new manager Sean Dyche - in a reunion following their time at Turf Moor. Demarai Gray thought he doubled their lead in the first-half but after the intervention of VAR, the goal was chalked out.
Everton had to weather a second-half surge from the Bees but they managed to hold on to claim an important win and return to winning ways.
In the player ratings, there was one nine and multiple eights handed out by writer Chris Beesley.
Click here to see who earned what rating.
READ NEXT:
- Everton find perfect hero after Gary Lineker row in huge Brentford win
- Everton's next six Premier League fixtures compared to Southampton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest
- Match of the Day turmoil gets even worse as BBC face 'commentary rights' problem
- Every word of Ian Wright's powerful 90-second message of support for Gary Lineker
- Rate the Everton players in the 1-0 win over Brentford
