5 Telling Stats from Everton’s Disastrous Brentford Defeat

Controversy rained down on Goodison Park yet again as Everton were dragged right back into the relegation battle after failing to ensure their Premier League status for next season against Brentford. With just two games remaining, Everton must win against Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace at Goodison Park to mathematically clinch survival and make sure they aren’t in need of points when they visit the Emirates on Championship Sunday.

Flipped on its Head

It’s quite the obvious take, but I’ll make it anyways. Jarrad Branthwaite’s sending off completely and utterly changed this game. Everton were 1-0 up, dominating, and should have had a chance to make it two from 12 yards. Instead, Michael Oliver decided not to call the most blatant grabbing of the jersey possible, and a long ball over the top combined with a naive young defender led to the Toffees being forced to play with 10 men for over 70 minutes. I have no doubt Everton would have won this game if the referees were competent... or impartial.

Utter Chaos

Let’s just put it this way: that first half was absolutely mental. I had to take some deep breaths and drink a glass of water to calm down at half-time after all that had transpired. Unfortunately, the second half was even less enjoyable from an Evertonian perspective.

Riding Their Luck

With this victory, Brentford have now won the same amount of games in their last 10 as Manchester City. Yes, that’s the same Manchester City that are one win away from clinching a fourth Premier League title in the last five years. This wasn’t the best time to be playing Brentford, and they’ve recently been an entirely different team than the one that got smacked 4-1 in Frank Lampard’s debut as Everton manager earlier this season.

Red Mist

As I already mentioned, Jarrad Branthwaite’s red card never should have happened. Rondon’s, however, was clear as day. It was an awful tackle. Simply idiotic. He came on as a substitute with 6 minutes left with the goal of getting Everton back into the game, and instead, he put the final nail in the coffin by getting sent off less than 5 minutes after stepping onto the pitch. Simply moronic.

The Largest Disgrace

This is not a stat, but I feel I have to discuss it. There’s no avoiding it. Both Rico Henry’s and Ivan Toney’s families were subject to racial abuse at Goodison Park on Sunday, which makes me and the rest of the Everton community incredibly sad, angry, and disheartened. Football must be a place of inclusion, acceptance, and celebration of the global diversity that makes this game what it is. Everton is the club of the people; ALL people. Let’s keep it that way.