Richarlison and Jordan Pickford were two of the positives as Everton stumbled to a 3-2 defeat to Brentford at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Everton started the game strongly, looking to seal their Premier League status for another season with a win. And the Toffees went ahead in the tenth minute, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed a lucky goal after Richarlison scuffed his effort from Anthony Gordon’s free-kick.
But the positivity soon disappeared as Jarrad Branthwaite’s senseless challenge on Ivan Toney reduced Everton to ten men. That gave Brentford the initiative to push for the equaliser, which duly came in the 37th minute, as Seamus Coleman headed in an attempted cross by Yoane Wissa.
However, Everton went ahead for the second time in the game, as Richarlison scored from the spot after Mads Bech Sorensen brought him down inside the Brentford box. But the Bees were on the front foot after the interval and barely gave Everton an inch before scoring two quickfire goals to grab the lead for the first time.
Wissa restored parity in the 62nd minute by heading in from Christian Eriksen’s cross before Rico Henry gave Brentford the lead with a close-range strike. Everton eventually assumed control over the proceedings but did not have the quality to put Brentford under pressure. And Salomon Rondon’s late dismissal ended all hopes of an Everton comeback. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Frank Lampard’s men.
Jordan Pickford: 7/10
Pickford might have conceded three goals, but he knew nothing about any of the strikes. And while he was helpless to deny Brentford the three goals, the Everton goalkeeper stood tall to make four saves in the game, keeping his side in the contest till the final moments.
Seamus Coleman: 5/10
Coleman knew nothing about the opening Brentford goal, with Wissa’s powerfully whipped cross struck him before going past Pickford. The Everton captain was solid enough otherwise, although he was all over the place when Brentford scored the third goal through Rico Henry.
Jarrad Branthwaite: 2/10
Everton have now had a man sent off in four of their last 11 Premier League games:
◉ Kenny vs. Wolves
◉ Allan vs. Newcastle
◉ Keane vs. West Ham
◉ Branthwaite vs. BrentfordAnother early bath. ? pic.twitter.com/med7Q0zA4v
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 15, 2022
Branthwaite benefitted from Michael Keane’s absence due to an illness. But the youngster’s outing lasted less than 20 minutes, as he took an early shower after rightly getting sent off for a senseless challenge on Ivan Toney.
Mason Holgate: 5/10
Holgate was solid enough for the most part, but he was all over the place when Henry scored the third goal for Brentford. The English defender was solid enough otherwise, completing several crucial clearances along the way. But he is not the defensive leader that Lampard needs in his team.
Alex Iwobi: 6/10
Iwobi was one of the better performers for Everton, and he can hold his head up high in defeat. The former Arsenal attacker put in the hard yards off the ball while barely misplacing a pass. He supported Coleman well, but all his efforts were for nought in the end.
Abdoulaye Doucoure: 5/10
Doucoure endured a game to forget on Sunday, as he could not protect the Everton backline. While Branthwaite’s dismissal played its part in his struggles, the experienced midfielder should have done better to keep his Brentford counterparts at bay. His poor passing hardly helped matters, and he needs to do better in the last two games.
Andre Gomes: 5/10
Gomes, like Doucoure, could not provide ample cover to the Everton backline. Even though he and his midfield partner were hamstrung by Branthwaite’s dismissal, the Portuguese international should have done better to curb the influence of Christian Eriksen and Mathias Jensen.
Vitaliy Mykolenko: 6/10
Mykolenko barely got the chance to make a difference in the final third, with Branthwaite’s dismissal forcing him to remain camped in the Everton half. The Ukrainian defender worked his socks off against Brentford, completing various crucial clearances and interceptions while winning three duels.
Anthony Gordon: 6/10
Gordon had one good chance to score, but he spent most of his time in the game chasing shadows. The youngster did put in the hard yards and worked his socks off. But he did not see the ball as much as he would have liked, while some of his deliveries left a lot to be desired.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 6/10
Calvert-Lewin was fortunate to have a goal in his name on Sunday, as he somehow got a touch on Richarlison’s scuffed effort. But that was as good as it got for the English international, who flitted in and out of the game. And by the end of the match, he seemed to have picked up another injury, which could end his campaign.
Richarlison: 7/10
Richarlison’s last 3 home games in the Premier League:
⚽️ vs Leicester City
⚽️ vs Chelsea
⚽️?️ vs Brentford*Coming in clutch at the end of the season. ??? pic.twitter.com/x3MBEfDpTT
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 15, 2022
Richarlison was a rare positive for Everton on Sunday, as he constantly looked like he could make things happen. The Brazilian played his part in the build-up to the opener before putting Everton ahead for the second time in the game by converting from the spot. Michael Oliver should have awarded another penalty to Richarlison before he sent Branthwaite off. But overall, Richarlison did his part.
SUBSTITUTES
Demarai Gray: 5/10
Gray hardly saw the ball after replacing Gordon and did not have enough quality to make a meaningful impact.
Jonjoe Kenny: 6/10
Kenny was a solid customer in the final 20 minutes, making a couple of interceptions while barely misplacing a pass.
Salomon Rondon: 3/10
Rondon was a late introduction, yet his outing lasted just two minutes, as he was rightly sent off for a dangerous challenge moments after coming on.
