Brentford 2 Everton 2: Thiago sets new Premier League scoring record in Gtech draw | OneFootball

Igor Thiago scored twice as Brentford were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton in a dramatic Premier League encounter at Gtech Community Stadium.

The Bees twice took the lead through their in-form striker but were ultimately pegged back by a resilient Everton side, who struck late on to deny the hosts all three points. Thiago’s brace saw him reach 21 goals and become the club’s highest goalscorer in a single Premier League season.

Kristoffer Ajer and Mikkel Damsgaard came into Brentford’s starting XI for the Toffees’ visit to west London.

Ethan Pinnock and Jordan Henderson were the two players to make way, with the latter not named in the matchday squad after picking up a knock while on international duty with England.

There were no signs of rustiness after a three-week break as Brentford got off to a storming start at the Gtech.

Kevin Schade beat Vitalii Mykolenko to Dango Ouattara’s through ball and looked to round Jordan Pickford, but the Everton keeper brought the German down in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Just as he did for Brazil during the international break, Thiago coolly stroked home from 12 yards to give his side an early lead.

Everton’s first effort came midway through the half. Jarrad Branthwaite strode forward and let fly from the edge of the area, sending the ball narrowly wide of the upright.

Both sides were looking to play on the front foot. Ouattara and Schade got in each other's way after Mikkel Damsgaard swung in a cross from the left flank, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s low delivery narrowly evaded Beto.

The visitors levelled on 26 minutes. Jake O’Brien got the better of Keane Lewis-Potter and rolled the ball to Idrissa Gueye, who clipped a first-time cross into the six-yard box, where Beto was perfectly positioned to head home.

Andrews’ side came close to retaking the lead not long after the restart. Damsgaard sparked a quick counter attack, passing to Thiago on the right, and the striker switched the ball to Jensen on the opposite flank.

The Dane cut in from the left and saw his well-struck effort from the edge of the box tipped around the post by Pickford.

Jensen’s corner then led to chaos in the Toffees’ box. Schade’s header rattled the crossbar, Ouattara was denied by Pickford on the rebound and Branthwaite blocked Thiago's follow-up effort.

There was a half-time substitution for Brentford as Reiss Nelson replaced Damsgaard.

The Bees were denied by the crossbar for a second time at the start of the second half. Jensen whipped a free-kick into the penalty area and Nathan Collins’ header crashed against the woodwork.

The west Londoners continued to probe. Having drifted out wide, Thiago delivered a deep cross from the left, which was headed back across goal by Ouattara, and Schade’s close-range effort was blocked by Mykolenko.

Caoimhín Kelleher was then called into action after a quiet 20 minutes. Iliman Ndiaye drove into the box and saw his effort take a wicked deflection off Sepp van den Berg, but Kelleher brilliantly kept the ball out with his trailing leg.

Kelleher was involved again moments later. Dewsbury-Hall latched onto Pickford’s long kick and raced through on goal, but the midfielder hesitated and the Brentford goalkeeper raced off his line to make a sprawling save.

Brentford were back in front on 76 minutes. Michael Kayode, on his 50th appearance for the Bees, cut in from the right and made a trademark mazy run into the box.

The full-back’s poked effort struck Thiago’s midriff and wrong-footed Pickford who had already dived to his right.

A mix-up between Collins and Kelleher almost gifted Everton an immediate equaliser, but the keeper eventually cleared the danger.

Substitute Tyrique George drove wide and was then denied by Kelleher at his near post as the Toffees pushed for a late equaliser.

Everton’s pressure was rewarded in stoppage-time. After O'Brien's low drive was blocked by Kayode, Dewsbury-Hall was first to the loose ball in Brentford’s box and the midfielder lashed beyond Kelleher and into the bottom corner.

Lewis-Potter lifted in a cross from the left during the final seconds but Schade couldn’t direct the ball towards goal as the Bees had to settle for a point at the Gtech.

Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Damsgaard (Nelson HT); Ouattara, Thiago, Schade

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

Everton: Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye (Iroegbunam 74), Garner; McNeil (George 74), Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto (Barry 74)

Subs not used: Travers, Patterson, Keane, Dibling, Coleman, Röhl

Attendance: 17,220