Everton 1-0 Brentford: Idrissa Gueye scores only goal as home side confirm Premier League safety
Goodison Park will host Premier League football in its final season after Idrissa Gueye's strike sealed a 1-0 victory for Everton over Brentford.
After scoring the opener in the victory over Nottingham Forest last Sunday, Gueye's influence has shone through during a perfect week for Sean Dyche's side, who backed up Wednesday's colossal Merseyside derby victory with a third straight win.
His swept finish on the hour-mark sparked the game into life after both sides had struggled to create chances in a game low on quality but of great significance.
The only goal came moments after Jordan Pickford saved superbly to deny Ivan Toney in Brentford's only big chance of the contest. The result moves Everton above their opponents into 15th place on 36 points - an unassailable gap to 18th-placed Luton in the relegation zone.
Everton: Pickford (7), Godfrey (7), Tarkowski (7), Branthwaite (7), Young (7), Harrison (7), Gueye (8), Garner (7), McNeil (8), Doucoure (7), Chermiti (7).Subs: Keane, Onana, Danjuma, Virginia, Andre Gomes, Lonergan, Warrington, Hunt, Metcalfe.Brentford: Flekken (6), Ajer (7), Collins (7), Pinnock (5), Reguilon (5), Jensen (6), Norgaard (5), Janelt (6), Mbeumo (5), Toney (5), Wissa (5).Subs: Lewis-Potter (6), Damsgaard (6), Yarmolyuk (n/a), Schade (n/a), Roerslev (n/a).Player of the Match: Idrissa Gueye.
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The Toffees will play in the top flight when the curtain comes down on Goodison Park, a little over 12 months from now. The Old Lady shook to its foundations when Liverpool's title hopes were left in tatters. How this true cathedral to the world of football has glistened these past seven days, a fortress that has carried Everton to safety.
"It's been a great week for the club," said Jamie Carragher. "Three clean sheets, not just the three wins. They've gone back to what Everton and Dyche do."
Luton's defeat at Wolves earlier on Saturday had already confirmed Brentford's safety before a ball was kicked on Merseyside. The less said about the first half, the better.
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Jarrad Branthwaite made an excellent block to deny Mathias Jensen from Vitaly Janelt's cross while Dwight McNeil's shot fizzed across goal and inches away from Youssef Chermiti's outstretched boot on his full Premier League debut. The defences were on top with neither goalkeeper tested by an attempt on target at the break.
Former Everton defender Phil Jagielka told Sky Sports: "It's a team that has just found out they're safe for next season against a team that knows a point or two will keep them up. It's been a bit scrappy."
That was an understatement - but both sides came close to breaking the deadlock within 10 minutes of the restart.
First, Ivan Toney was denied brilliantly by Jordan Pickford at the far post after a fine touch from Yoane Wissa into the path of Mathias Jensen. Everton then responded as Dwight McNeil rattled Mark Flekken's crossbar from distance.
The hosts still hadn't mustered a shot on target - until they broke the deadlock on the hour-mark. Brentford failed to clear a corner as Gueye found Jack Harrison in space. His low cross was taken in by Branthwaite, whose blocked attempt squirted free for Gueye to curl a precise finish beyond Mark Flekken.
The impressive McNeil ripped another shot across goal while there were other opportunities to make this a more emphatic win. Chermiti, judged offside from McNeil's clever pass, lifted a shot over when VAR may have ruled him to be on while Abdoulaye Doucoure was also denied by Flekken before the offside flag was again raised.
In the closing stages, James Garner's fine free-kick struck the woodwork before substitute Kevin Schade's shot was saved low to Pickford's left. Both these sides will do it all over again next season, much to the delight of Dyche and the Goodison faithful.
Former Everton defender Phil Jagielka on Sky Sports:
"First of all, it's relief. You've got to take your hat off. It's been an emotional and massive week.
"Three wins at any time of the season is huge but to do it now and cement your place in the best division in the world is fantastic."
Everton face Luton Town live on Friday Night Football on May 3, kick-off 8pm, while Brentford host Fulham on May 4, kick-off 3pm.
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