Blues come back twice to claim a point and keep Europe in sight | OneFootball

Brentford 2 - 2 Everton

Everton were back in action after a 3-week break and were still half-asleep as they went behind to an early penalty for Brentford at the GTech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon. A good contest ensued wth Everton pulling goals back through Beto and then Dewsbury-Hall in added time, with both teams still level on points in the chase for Champions League places.

Grealish and Alacaraz are the only expected absentees, Branthwaite replacing Keane, with Armstrong and Aznou missing out.

First Half

Everton kicked off but an early long ball was allowed to bounce through with Branthwaite marking out Thiago as Tarkowski and Mykolenko looked at each other and Outarra touched it through to Schade, who tried to round Pickford.  The England Number 1 stuck out a leg... Foul, yellow card and penalty in just the 2nd minute! Thiago drove the spot-kick home to give Brentford an early lead.

The Blues were totally shell-shocked and had no immediate answer to this huge setback.  But Everton finally got forward, Ndiaye benefiting from a turnover and Beto‘s shot deflected behind. The corner from McNeil was cleared.

Everton’s play continued to be scrappy, Gana giving the ball away, and the Blues were reticent to press too hard in recovery.

Dewsbury-Hall drove forward through the middle with McNeil, but Beto was well marshalled and could only push his marker for a foul. Branthwaite then stepped forward, Brentford backing off, and from nothing he lashed a shot just wide.

Everton were not pressing the home side at all and a wicked ball in almost caused havoc. Everton got upfield and Dewsbury-Hall fired a brilliant cross that Beto stretched for but missed. From a throw-in, a snapshot from Gana forced a great save from Kelleher, whose parry out to Beto forced another save, along with the offside flag. Everton should have scored.

Some great work out wide from O'Brien lost then recovered the ball and forced his way past Potter, who had leaned back into him and Brentford wanted that as a foul but the ball back to Gana saw a lovely first-time cross that Beto nodded in at the far post. Blues back in the game!

Some good pressure from Brentford needed decent clearances until Tarkowski was fouled. It got a bit physical, Gana in with a brilliantly timed tackle to stop Thiago progressing. But it was more open, although Gana mistimed his tackle on Jensen.

It had taken the best part of 30 minutes but Everton were getting a lot of the ball, but Brentford mounted a good counter, Jensen seeing a chance and firing a tremendous shot that was going just inside the post, Pickford launching himself for a super fingertip save. Nothing came of the corner.

Brentford stayed high and another difficult cross forced Mykolenko to concede another corner. The delivery was superb Pickford saving Schade's header off the bar but then down to make another instant save from Ouattara before Branthwaite had to block desperately to prevent Thiago from scoring.

More Brentford pressure saw Ouattara move ahead and ready to shoot but his shot excellently blocked. Everton responded, a ball in testing Kelleher with Ndiaye in attendance. Another good cross in from McNeil saw Beto sandwiched.

Another drive forward by the all-Blues threatened again. The blues were working hard to try and create something, another great cross in from McNeil forcing good contact from Kelleher.

A great cross in from Brentford was headed away strongly by Branthwaite before the extra 5 minutes were up.

Second Half

The Bees kicked off the second half and drove forward until they encountered Tarkowski. Garner committed his first foul and was booked for it. A tremendous dead-ball delivery from Jensen, Collins heading it onto the crossbar.

Brentford continued to have the most of the ball and kept pressing forward, Everton having to defend deeply. When they did turn it over, a loose pass lost possession again.

Brentford had to block again another Schade shot from a backheader off Thiago. At the other end, Ndiaye danced in from the left but lost the ball but it was worked around; however, O'Brien's throw went behind.  McNeil tried to find Ndiaye with an ambitious crossfield ball that also went beyond him and behind.

From a midfield free-kick, Garner played a brilliant ground ball for Beto to run onto but he was a fraction late and Kelleher gathered it ahead of him. Everton seemed to have weathered the post-half-time onslaught.

Dewsbury-Hall got possession and drove a great ball down the wing to Ndiaye who came inside and shot, his deflected effort blocked by  Kelleher's foot as he readjusted brilliantly to deny a certain goal.

The intensity was increasing as both sides felt one more goal could swing this tense affair, Brentford attacking with vigour. Jensen fired a shot high over Pickford's goal.

McNeil almost released Beto before he picked up the ball again but his shot was blocked and Brentford were on the attack again.  It was all hands in Everton's penalty area, as Jensen put in a long throw that Beto half-cleared.

Pickford bowled it forward and it looked like Dewsbury-Hall had to score but unstead of clipping the ball over him when he had the chance, he chose to pirouette, and it gave Kelleher the time to block him. That led to three changes by Moyes with a quarter-hour left.

But the changes unfortunately had the opposite effect, Thiago scampering in unchallenged and Kayode deflecting his shot past Pickford. Oh dear!

George had room to shoot but his aim was seriously wayward as Eveton tried to counter but were too slow in the build-up and easily thwarted. George finally got behind the line but his cross did not reach Barry. He tried again and Ndiaye's header won a corner but that was cleared.

A great Everton move down the left saw a fierce shot from George parried behind by Kelleher, who also cleared the corner away, Brentford looking to break. But time was running out for the Blues, with only 3 minutes added on.

Everton drew everyone back for a long throw and had no one forward when Branthwaite cleared.  But they did work their way forward, Mykolenko swinging in a cross that looked perfect for Barry to score but he completely missed it! However, Ndiaye played it back for O'Brien to shoot, but his shot was blocked out to the left where Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fairly hammered it in from a narrow angle. Great goal.

Lewis Potter was determined to get The Bees ahead, though and a brilliant bit of work saw his teasing cross glance off Schade, and it was enough to put Thiago off as the ball would have fallen nicely for him at the far post.

But that was the last bit of action and well-earned draw for Everton that looked a bit unlikely after that dreadful start.

Brentford : Kelleher, Lewis-Potter, Collins, Van den Berg, Kayode, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Schade, Damsgaard (46' Nelson), Ouattara, Thiago.

Subs not Used: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Ajer, Donovan, Bentt, Shield, Stephenson, Owen.

Everton: Pickford [Y:2'], O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gana (74' Iroegbunam), Garner [Y:47'], McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye (74' George), Beto (74' Barry).

Subs not Used:  Travers, Patterson, Keane, Dibling, Coleman, Röhl,.

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Reader Comments (72)

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John Wignall 6 Posted 11/04/2026 at 15:19:38

2 minutes gone 1.nil penatly for brentford

John Wignall 9 Posted 11/04/2026 at 15:29:38

Beto great header 1.1

John Collins 10 Posted 11/04/2026 at 15:55:37

A point at Brentford is always a decent point.

These are different circumstances, we are playing well enough to win this.

Dave Abrahams 11 Posted 11/04/2026 at 15:56:38

Very slow start but we gradually got back into the game and looked the stronger team as half-time was called.

Brentford had brief times from corners when they looked dangerous but their slow build-up is helping Everton and I think Everton can get the 3 points if we get ahead in the second half.

Alan J Thompson 12 Posted 11/04/2026 at 15:57:03

The first 20 minutes or so reminded me of the Chelsea game, one team really putting in the effort and the other just walking it around.

The Brentford goal I put down to Tarkowski as he just seemed to stop and let his man go, at the very least leave it to somebody else. And why did Pickford go in like that rather than with his hands?

Then our equalizer, just as I thought that O'Brien had lost it but a cross right on Beto's noggin.

And who let Pickford out dressed like that!?! Has somebody forgotten which side of Merseyside we are?

Alan J Thompson 14 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:08:35

Given the effort and the lack of any obvious plan, a point is better than looked likely.

Brentford didn't look quite so energetic in the second half but still seemed to be putting in more than we did which looked at times like we just wanted to settle back and settle for the draw.

Dewsbury-Hall was through and should have just taken the shot but summed up our effort by ending up doing nothing. We looked a lot better when George came on, gave us some pace and intention and it took until the last minute of normal time for us to get more in the box for the equalizer.

We must go out with more of a game plan than seemed obvious here.

Neil Tyrrell 15 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:14:52

Came from behind twice to salvage a point, well done boys. Draw seems a fair result. Nice to see George involved, hopefully see more of him in the run in.

Michael Kenrick 16 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:17:14

6-pointer for the Champions League.

Ended up as a close-run 1-pointer (each) -- or is that a 2-pointer? -- with perhaps both teams now a little further from qualifying.

Did the pressure get our lot? Or were they still confused, trying to understand Moyes's last-minute instructions as they took to the field in a daze?

At least the Blues in the away end saw a great finish to the game from Dewsbury-Hall -- now if only he'd done something different for his one-on-one with Kellerher.

Martin Berry 17 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:17:21

A good point in the end with both teams giving their all.

Brentford are not to be underestimated and work very hard, add the long ball threat and you can see why they are where they are in the Premier League.

I thought Moyes got his three subs spot on. George did more in 10 minutes that McNeil did in the whole game, he looked a real threat, whereas Iroegbunam shored up the midfield and Barry came on for a tiring Beto who played really well.

I think we will be happy with that draw on reflection and no reason why we can't take it to our next match when we beat the "Dark Side"!

John Collins 18 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:24:30

We had a couple of passive periods in both halves, I thought, but a well-deserved point.

One bonus is we now know George is not ready to play in the Premier League.😁

Mike Powell 19 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:28:28

Both their goals were down to bad defending.

I was made up we got a point, but we weren't very good in the second half.

Every time we have a chance to close on the Red Shite, we blow it.

Ian Bennett 20 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:35:55

I know it's obvious, but two terrible goals to concede.

First no one attacking the ball, and no help from Tarkowski. Centre-backs have got to do better.

John Collins 21 Posted 11/04/2026 at 17:59:49

Branthwaite and Mykolenko for me, Ian.

Branthwaite ran under the ball, full-back should be on the cover.

Dave Abrahams 22 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:02:58

I don't know if that long break took some of the aggression out of Everton's game but they only played like they wanted to win in some parts of the game.

Nevertheless, we never gave up and rescued a point very close to the end which keeps us in chase for the Champions League.

I agree with John @18 that George had a good game when he came on and will add to our attacking game in the last six matches of the season.

James Garner stood out for me but Dewsbury-Hall will get MotM for that last-minute goal -- or possibly Pickford for a couple of very good saves in the first half.

Dean Johnson 23 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:04:10

See, I told you George was a good player. Moyes is an idiot.

[Reading the mind of John Collins...]

John Collins 24 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:06:16

The Knight on a white charger to the rescue.

They are making them up now.

Mike Gaynes 25 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:06:21

Sad news shared on the Forum today, the passing of Gerry Quinn's wife Cathie, who has suffered from cancer for the past few months.

Christy Ring 26 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:07:03

John @21,

They showed the goal at half-time and it was Tarkowski who let the ball hop, and himself and Mykolenko were ball watching; two bad goals to give away.

I thought George did well with plenty of pace. Armstrong didn't make the bench (Is he injured?) considering we had two right-backs on the bench.

Ian Bennett 27 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:08:52

So many mistakes John, it is hard not to lose count.

Branthwaite under the ball. Tarkowski & Mykolenko no cover, Pickford with a trip. Schade runs past Tarkowski with ease.

A complete mess.

John Collins 28 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:09:14

I thought Jarrad Branthwaite should have positioned himself better to challenge for the header, Christy.

A ball like that should never be allowed to bounce.

Ged Simpson 29 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:10:51

Poor defence, twice, but I was made up to see that late equaliser.

Still chuffed.

Maybe my expectations are still based on recent years?

Champions League? Umm. Not there yet to compete, methinks.

John Collins 30 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:11:44

Agree, Ian, schoolboy errors.

The second was poor as well. How the kid was allowed to run from the touchline to have a shot, I don't know.

I posted at half-time, a point at Brentford is a decent point.

Peter Mills 31 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:19:33

Mike #25, sincere condolences and respect to Gerry and his family on their loss.

Neil Tyrrell 32 Posted 11/04/2026 at 18:27:19

Condolences to Gerry Quinn on his loss 💙

Ian Wilkins 33 Posted 11/04/2026 at 19:41:10

A draw was probably the right result. We didn't seem quite at it today. I don't think the long break between matches helped us.

Neither team is equipped for Champions League football; Europa or Conference at best.

Kevin Molloy 34 Posted 11/04/2026 at 19:50:06

I couldn't believe Tarkowski for that first goal. And a rotten spawny second.

Terrific goals from us, but I think we needed a win today for the Champions League.

John Raftery 35 Posted 11/04/2026 at 20:26:34

Deepest condolences to Gerry on his loss.

I have fond memories of meeting Gerry and Cathie in San Francisco in 2013 and in Crosby the following year. A lovely lady, a lovely couple.

Brendan McLaughlin 36 Posted 11/04/2026 at 22:08:13

So so sorry, Gerry.

I'll light a candle on the far west of Ireland for Cathie tonight.

God bless... take care mate.

Jonathan Oppenheimer 37 Posted 11/04/2026 at 22:16:53

Thoughts and condolences to you, Gerry.

A point was all we deserved today. Glad we kept fighting to earn that point at the end.

For all the talk about us not planning to sign George at the end of the season, that would be foolish to not consider it for anything under £30M based on what he showed today — especially if we could still get that £20M for McNeil.

For me, the fault goes to Branthwaite on the first goal. You learn in Under-10 not to let the ball bounce in dangerous situations. George slow to close down Kayode on the second, poor defending there.

Win against the Red Shite and we are right back in it for a Champions League spot. That point could prove crucial, even if we all wanted more today. It would take a special run of matches, but anything is possible this season.

Rob Dolby 38 Posted 11/04/2026 at 22:29:18

Brentford are a physical team. Lots of crosses and percentage balls. Other than the school boy error for the first we coped well with their crosses.

A quiet game for a few of the team.Why didn't Dewsbury-Hall take a shot when clean through? I just didn't understand that.

We showed fighting spirit and deserved a draw at the least.

George needs more time on the pitch. McNeil has done well recently but it might be time to give George a start. The Red Shite haven't got a right-back so give George a chance.

Phillip Warrington 39 Posted 11/04/2026 at 22:51:15

It’s good to see we are getting our fighting spirit back. Just imagine what we could do if we had a decent striker.

For the first time in the last 5 years, you can watch the lads til the final minute thinking we still got a chance. Given we probably have the worst strikers in the Premier League and a small pool of quality players, well done, lads!

Oa George, if he was consistently good, I would really doubt Chelsea would let him go.

Derek Thomas 40 Posted 11/04/2026 at 22:54:55

My condolences to Gerry Quinn.

...and also for our fleeting dreams of Champions League glory, anyway I'm glad we blew the cobwebs out after all that time off, so we're fit and revved up to drop another set of must win 2 points.

Can't blame Moyes for that poor start (or can you?) 3 different players watched the ball bounce 3 times down the centre and into the box.

Is it just the way the Premier League is this year? For seemingly months, I've watched us win, lose and draw and we're still – last time I looked – 8th!

I'm not expecting any major changes to our version of Newton's 1st Law of 8th place Inertia.

Notwithstanding the fact that in theory we could still scrape into Europe's (nay the world's?) top competition with a points total that starts with a 5, for fuck’s sale!

I think that any European involvement is a problem waiting to happen with our small squad.

I wouldn't mind, just this once, putting what is apparently the worst Liverpool team for a decade or more to the sword and let the European / Premier League placings fall where they may come the end of May.

Is that too much for an old man to ask?

Tom Bowers 41 Posted 11/04/2026 at 23:22:10

A good point given that we gave them a goal start and a deflection late on almost cost the whole three points after looking the better side for the most part.

George, only on for 15 minutes, looked great and surely should get more time next week against the Red Shite.

Whilst a Euro spot would be nice after some disappointing seasons, it's more important to give some of our youngsters like George some longer playing time in readiness for a much better season next time.

With the guidance of an old head like Moyes, these youngsters could be the turning point in Everton's fortunes.

Anthony Dwyer 42 Posted 11/04/2026 at 00:40:52

Yet another game we are chasing and no sign of Dibling, if any team are crazy enough to give us most of our money back we need to take it.

Both Dibling and Aznou need moving on as Moyes doesn't have faith in them. I can see us taking a loss as a pair but hopefully not a huge loss.

As for the debate about the goal, I'm amazed anyone has looked past Pickford. His fault as he never needed to make that foul.

Braithwaite was occupying Thiago, Tarkowski was busy pulling his caravan, Mykolenko looked the only one who made a genuine attempt to stop the goal.

Fault lies mainly with Pickford, and it would have been nice if Tarkowski had done the basics of following his man, maybe even stepped up his jog with a sprint.

Neil Tyrrell 43 Posted 12/04/2026 at 01:15:56

Maybe Pickford should have dived in rather than sliding, he still might have conceded a penalty though.

He absolutely had to make a challenge of some sort after Branthwaite (not Tarkowski or anyone else, it was Branthwaite) let it bounce past him.

Shitty way to start the match, mistakes happen, but we still pulled even twice from being behind. Great spirit from the boys to never say die.

Annika Herbert 44 Posted 12/04/2026 at 04:47:19

Sell off 2 promising young players who have barely kicked a ball in anger all season? That sounds like a great idea!

Give them both a full pre season, then loan them both out if it's considered they need more experience. But give them a chance to develop before writing them off completely.

Let's not give up on them before we see if they can meet required standards next season. We need young up and coming players as an integral part of our squad and, sometimes, it can take time for young lads to settle into a completely different environment.

Andy Meighan 45 Posted 12/04/2026 at 07:52:33

Mike 25. John 35

Yes that was terrible news about the passing of Gerry's wife, and here's me feeling a bit sorry for myself because I'm stuck in a hospital bed after a knee replacement op.

Puts things into perspective when you hear news like that obviously never met the lad, but going by what people on here have said sounds like a lovely fella.

Take care Gerry, and all the chaps and lasses on here offer their sincerest condolences.

Ian Bennett 46 Posted 12/04/2026 at 08:05:16

Aznou is a mile off. He was on the periphery of training on Tuesday, and resembled a kid that had just been called up from the U18s.

He needs a good loan where he is playing 30 games plus. It would be good if that was the championship, as he needs toughening up.

Dibling is a shy young man. But there is something there for certain in training. He just needs to put into games. A decent pre season where it is a blank page, less competitive matches will put his hat back in the ring. Not convinced he is a right winger either. More of a player that looks like he would enjoy a central position.

Playing him and O'Brien on the right won’t work in my opinion. Neither enjoy playing with chalk on their boots.

Laurie Hartley 47 Posted 12/04/2026 at 08:42:38

I think we just about deserved a point. I really thought we would win this one after watching them play Leeds last time out.

Perhaps our three best players (Garner, Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye) were not quite on blob. I have taken a few positives out of the game though:-

In the post match interviews, Moyes and Dewsbury-Hall tried very hard to hide their disappointment. They obviously went out to win it.

This group of players are resilient - they have the fighting spirit.

George is a footballer. No brainer for me now -- definitely keep him.

Must beat the horrible ones next week.

John Hood 48 Posted 12/04/2026 at 09:25:35

Bees' perspective here...

65th season watching them and approaching 80 rather more quickly than I like, so all I really want is an entertaining match with a few goals and plenty of action... failing that a good punch-up!

No need for the latter as it was a very decent match and a fair result. The difference between the sides was the available quality on the bench. After 70 minutes, Andrews really had no options apart from some promising but untested youngsters and a semi-fit Henderson.

It perfectly illustrated my earlier point about the dangers of the Europa League to a club like Brentford.

Best wishes for the rest of the season... especially against your esteemed neighbours... and I look forward to being still around next season.

Conor McCourt 49 Posted 12/04/2026 at 09:34:13

This game was a huge disappointment for me in one sense... yet crucial in the other.

Having listened to talk of Champions League all week, Moyes's game plan showed why that is an impossibility. Having watched Bournemouth just before -- with their fearlessness, even after a ridiculous penalty -- was what I wanted to see from us given the magnitude of the game.

Champions League talk is wild considering 65 points wouldn't have been enough to get 5th in years gone by and the likelihood of us winning every game is Cloud Cuckoo Land given how we approach games.

Indeed, our neighbours are supposed to be imploding while we are supposed to be on fire... yet we have both picked up 10 points from our last 6 games.

On the flip side, the late goal is massive as I think it does damage to Brentford's Top 8 chances and doesn't really harm ours. I'm hoping Newcastle don't win today as I think they can still get one of the European berths now their workload is only focused on the Premier League.

Make no mistake -- this was a big point for us and Moyes got what he came for.

Raymond Fox 50 Posted 12/04/2026 at 10:26:35

Considering we conceeded a poor goal so early in the game, 1 point was against the odds. Of course we wanted 3 points but, all things taken into account, I think 1 point deserves plenty of credit.

Don't forget, we have gone from perennial relegation candidates to knocking on the door of Europe. Moyes gets a lot more praise from various media than he gets on here.

What we need next season is to retain all our best players and sign another 3 outstanding players, players that can turn games.

John Williams 51 Posted 12/04/2026 at 10:32:37

Conor,

What you have failed to comment on: the Reds have spent millions on players, Everton have shopped at Lidl. You are correct about Bournemouth, they have also shopped at Lidl.

But and it is a big 'but': neither Everton, Bournemouth, Brighton and the likes will win an English trophy when they have one hand tied behind their backs.

Premier League rules need to change... in fact, I would like to see a return to a points system of two points for a win, that would also make the league more competitive.

John Collins 52 Posted 12/04/2026 at 10:32:58

Repeated posts from some posters.

"He sees them in training every day, they are obviously not ready to play."

Is George "ready to play"?

Brian Harrison 53 Posted 12/04/2026 at 10:43:16

John Hood,

I am about the same age as yourself, John, and you're right about how times creep on you. You always give a fair account of the game, so if a Brentford supporter says a draw was a fair result, then I will take that.

Moyes said after the game he was a bit disappointed in our performance, but not disappointed in the players' attitude and desire.

I think, other than probably the Top 5 clubs, most supporters worry about having a big enough squad to stay competitive in the Premier League as well as a European competition.

I saw on MotD our neighbours parading a banner about increases in ticket prices. I think we need to let TFG know we are in one of the poorest areas of the country and we rely on our mainly Liverpool resident fans for their support.

TFG might not be aware but, if it hadn't been for these loyal fans who made Goodison a fortress and emboldened our players, we might well be playing in the Championship.

I warn them: Don't take Scoucers for fools or Hill Dickinson Stadium could have many empty spaces if you keep milking the supporters.

Ian Bennett 54 Posted 12/04/2026 at 11:20:14

George had some real threat, but could have done more for the second goal.

Just watched MotD, and thought Lewis-Skelly looked costly at left-back vs Bournemouth.

It is a conundrum. And why I think the middle ground is taken as starting as a sub. Would you start George in the derby? I think that's the only debatable change.

John Collins 55 Posted 12/04/2026 at 11:27:53

That's the mentality we need to get out of.

A lovely little 15-minute cameo of direct attacking play and he gets pulled for a defensive error.

James Marshall 56 Posted 12/04/2026 at 11:51:32

I feel the Champions League talk is a flight of fancy -- just because it's mathematically possible doesn't mean it's likely to happen (and possibly never was... even before yesterday).

Realistically, we're looking at a spot in one of the other European competitions, which -- for a club trying to build -- isn't the worst option in the world.

Given recent seasons, playing in any European competition is a big leap for us. We're going to need way more depth in the squad; otherwise, our league form is going to suffer badly next season (if we make Europe).

The Premier League is still super tight -- anyone from Chelsea in 6th to Sunderland in 12th could still realistically make one of the Top 8 which will get you into Europe this season, I believe.

David West 57 Posted 12/04/2026 at 11:57:47

I don't think starting George would give him the same impact.

If he starts and has no impact then you've used the one player who can come off the bench and stretch teams when they are tiring.

Also Ndiaye isn't as effective from the right.

It's a conundrum when he comes on and plays well like yesterday.

Ian Bennett 58 Posted 12/04/2026 at 11:59:08

George had some real threat, but could have done more for the second goal.

Just watched motd, and thought Lewis Skelly looked costly at left back vs Bournemouth.

It is a conundrum. And why I think the middle ground is taken starting kids as a sub. Would you start George in the derby? I think thats the only debatable change.

Tony Abrahams 59 Posted 12/04/2026 at 12:03:31

Very sad news reading that Gerry, has lost his wife. In our darkest hours we must always remember the good times, and I’m sure you both had loads of them Gerry💙

Never saw the game but, I don’t feel that we are finished when we go behind these days, so hopefully that goal at the end, turns out to be very valuable by the end of this season.

Don’t slag Moyes, and you don’t get so many posts, is my conclusion after reading this thread, so maybe the manager is also helping Toffeeweb survive!

Brian Harrison 60 Posted 12/04/2026 at 12:24:00

Just read how the qualification for European places works and it is the top 5 in the Premier league go into the Champions league, the 6th club goes into the Europa league and the 7th placed club goes into the European Conference league. Whichever team wins the Europa will automatically go into the Champions league.

Mal van Schaick 61 Posted 12/04/2026 at 12:37:27

I agree with John #48. A well contested match and a fair result with great saves at both ends.

Moyes was deflated with the deflected Brentford goal but praised the players' fighting qualities. I thought that the referee had a decent game, letting the play flow, which was conducive to an entertaining game. George looked decent with his pace.

Condolences to Gerry and family.

Tony Abrahams 62 Posted 12/04/2026 at 12:46:14

If Aston Villa get in the Top 5 and win the Europa League, I'm under the impression that Champions League qualification will then move down to 6th place.

I'm not sure how true that is but this is why I said I think the goal we scored at the end yesterday could turn out to be very, very valuable.

Annika Herbert 63 Posted 12/04/2026 at 12:53:52

John @ 55, exactly right!

David West 64 Posted 12/04/2026 at 12:53:59

In the grand scheme of things, it's 1 point from 21 to play for. We need at least 3 wins, possibly 4, and I'd say 1 needs to be the Red Shite. Next week will be massive again, not just our game but a lot of the teams in the fight are playing each other.

Still a few twists to play out, so not losing isn't the end of it... but worse for Brentford with their run-in.

Geoff Cadman 65 Posted 12/04/2026 at 13:23:07

Tony @62,

There's only an extra place for the Europa League winners if they don't qualify by their league position.

Dave Abrahams 66 Posted 12/04/2026 at 13:23:54

Fans blaming George for Brentford's second goal could have a look at one or two other players first... like Dewsbury-Hall, who just stopped chasing the Brentford player, Branthwaite who pulled away from the shot. Thiago went past about three Everton players without a real tackle going in.

George had two good efforts which their ‘keeper saved and set up another player for a shot on goal. He caused problems for the Brentford defence from the minute he came on. If that had been Grealish, plenty would have been drooling over him for that display, even if it was only 15 minutes.

Tony, ToffeeWeb wants and needs more posters, so Moyes is not helping ToffeeWeb unless he is getting slagged — that is when it is constructive criticism!

Andrew Merrick 67 Posted 12/04/2026 at 13:50:22

I wondered if George could have come on sooner for Dwight, and played on the right.

He could later have switched when Illy left the pitch, we would have seen more of him and his impact, and seen how he linked up with a RB and how he came into attack from that side.

Plus I have often enjoyed seeing wide players switch to test different defenders, Id like to see a bit more of that.

John Collins 68 Posted 12/04/2026 at 14:18:57

George showed he can play yesterday.

He can be a good option if we are going to mount a serious challenge to European football.

He wont start in the derby but I would like to see him get half an hour, not binging brought on in the last five minutes.

75th minute introduction yesterday was a little more than he has been getting.

John Collins 69 Posted 12/04/2026 at 14:19:37

*being

Alan J Thompson 70 Posted 12/04/2026 at 14:27:10

Mal(#61); I thought the Ref was in error in giving Garner a yellow card for something that didn't even look like a foul and not giving even a free kick for worse and actual fouls by Brentford players.

Steve Brown 71 Posted 12/04/2026 at 14:40:34

Posters picking up on George for the second goal -- James Garner failed to intercept the runner and Branthwaite stood off him. Equally to blame.

And what on earth was the defence doing on that first goal? Branthwaite misjudged the flight of the long punt, Mykolenko failed to anticipate and cover.

But Tarkowski! Allowed the ball to bounce, let Schade run past him and never got past an elderly trundle from the first moment to Pickford giving away the penalty.

Steve Brown 72 Posted 12/04/2026 at 14:41:29

George's pace was a constant threat from the moment he came on.

He has pace, control and a good shot on him.

Dale Self 73 Posted 12/04/2026 at 15:25:48

Moyes largely got it right yesterday. I could question how we came out second half and conceded some space to Bees, letting them get into rhythm in our half. Overall, though, it was a good plan made difficult by some individual(s) errors in defence.

Agree with George getting more time at the expense of McNeil. Dwight did some key work as the playmaker on the right but Tyrique can truck, as they say. KDH was on that early and provided continual support for his play on the wing.

While I fumed on the second goal allowed, George and others found that next gear and put on some commanding pressure.

I would like him as a replacement for the striker more than a position requiring a lot of responsibility on defence. He has been sharp on both the left and right, also gets enough space to work a shot. With McNeil, Jake, Garner and KDH, either he gets clear or lay it off for a shot and look for the keeper to spill it.

I am growing sympathetic to Moyes' difficulties in selections. Still think we could have discovered some of this while Jack was in, but we have a squad capable and deserving a European place.

One more observation on McNeil: that dude made two brilliant passes under pressure to Beto and Ndiaye, neither of which could continue their run to get a touch. Very disappointed that they let those opportunities slip through. Either of those get a touch onto their running path and one of them would have surely converted the one-on-one with that ex-RS keeper. Dwight served it up maaan.

Still thinking of Gerry and Cathie, and the heartfelt support from their TW family. This is a wonderful community, keep it going.

Ian Wilkins 76 Posted 12/04/2026 at 17:37:48

Moyes could choose George next week to get at a defensively weak Frimpong.

Or he could play McNeil to cover defensively for an offensively quick Frimpong.

I’m pretty confident which way he’ll start the match.

David West 77 Posted 12/04/2026 at 18:37:33

Chelsea result was good. Utd & Rs in there next 3 games.

The shite got a tough run In.

Heads hurting looking at the fixtures.

Biggest Derby in a while !!

Tony Abrahams 78 Posted 12/04/2026 at 19:01:49

With Moyes, claiming that he doesn’t really enjoy Merseyside derby’s, then perhaps he would do well to invite a few Evertonians, into finch farm this week.

A week is a long time in football, but we haven’t had the upper hand over our neighbours for years, but if we want to qualify for Europe, then this has got to change

John Collins 79 Posted 12/04/2026 at 19:36:14

Would do no harm for David to understand how much these Derby games mean to us Tony.