Everton scored a last-minute equaliser to clinch a dramatic 2-2 draw with fellow European hopefuls Brentford as the Toffees came from behind twice.
Igor Thiago scored his 20th and 21st Premier League goals either side of half-time, but Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall responded on both occasions.
Despite now being unbeaten in their last five, Brentford have drawn their last four, and worryingly, it’s now five games at the Gtech without a win. They’ve also squandered leads in their last two in west London. Everton, meanwhile, continue their superb away form – the fourth best in the top flight.
Sat in seventh and eighth and level on points, Brentford edged Everton on goal difference heading into the game, teeing up a quintessential ‘six-pointer’ in the dogfight for European qualification – with a top eight finish guaranteeing a continental campaign next season.
Before the international break, just four points separated the Bees (46) and Bournemouth in 13th (42). With the Cherries pulling off a shock win at the Emirates in the earlier kick-off and Brighton also beating Burnley, three points for either Brentford or Everton were crucial to create daylight from the chasing pack – but neither side could seize the opportunity.
At full-time, a point apiece was probably fair, as both goalkeepers produced crucial saves in an entertaining encounter full of chances, befitting of their respective league positions.
A long punt from Kelleher in the second minute sailed into the Everton half, taking everyone in blue by surprise and allowing Dango Ouattara to gather the ball and send Kevin Schade through on goal.
The German rounded Jordan Pickford before being tripped by England’s shotstopper, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Up stepped Thiago, oozing with confidence after scoring his first Brazil goal during the international break. Inevitably, the number nine found the back of the net to give his side a third-minute lead.
The Toffees looked shellshocked after a disastrous opening and were disjointed in an error-ridden first 20 minutes, with Brentford in control and playing some tidy football.
But David Moyse’s side finally woke up and took the game to the Bees, as a world-class double save from Caoimhin Kelleher denied them an equaliser.
Everton were rewarded for their growing pressure in the 26th minute when Jake O’Brien tenaciously won the ball off Keane Lewis-Potter just outside the Bees’ box, allowing Gueye to dink a delightful ball towards the back post.
Beto did excellently to glance a header beyond Kelleher and level the game, scoring a fourth goal in his last five.
Mathias Jensen then forced a save at full stretch from Pickford with a dipping strike towards the near post from outside the box. Not long after, Schade’s header rattled the crossbar from a corner before Ouattara’s weak effort was blocked by Everton’s goalie.
The Bees started the second half brightly, as Nathan Collins’ header skimmed the bar from a set-piece, and Schade came close.
The visitors responded with two chances of their own; Iliman Ndiaye’s strike was denied by Kelleher’s right boot, and Dewsbury-Hall’s hesitation proved costly as he was sent through on goal.
Thiago restored Brentford’s lead in the 76th minute when Michael Kayode poked at an effort at goal, and in the Brazilian’s effort to get out of the way, the ball struck his chest and nestled into the back of the net.
Everton pushed for an equaliser, as substitute Tyrique George’s near-post strike forced yet another smart stop from Kelleher with two minutes to go.
But as the heavens opened in the spring sunshine, Brentford’s mood was dampened as they were unable to hold on to the three points.
In the first minute of stoppage time, O’Brien’s strike hit Kayode and fell straight into the path of Dewsbury-Hall to find the back of the net with a left-footed shot across goal.