Moments from Everton’s 1-0 win over Brentford, which guaranteed the club’s Premier League safety.
Everton clinched their Premier League qualification for next season with a win over Brentford, thanks to Idrissa Gueye’s goal at the hour mark.
However, following a hat-trick of victory at Goodison Park in the space of a week, here are some highlights you may have missed….
Young at it again: stars go to social media.
While Blues manager Sean Dyche does not use social media, several of his players are active on the platforms. Despite the perception that social media is more for the younger generation, the elder statesmen in the Everton team is generating waves once again. Ashley Young, fresh from his ‘Cry Me A River’ post following Nottingham Forest’s controversial full-time tweet protesting about match officials’ mistakes in their 2-0 loss to the Blues six days earlier, was logging on and settling scores.
The 38-year-old said, “WOW…What a massive week. Written off nonstop, but we never say die, Stuck. Despite the ruckus outside, our objective was to communicate on the pitch, which we have done. UTFT.”
In the same letter, Young wrote: “Another personal milestone for me: 450 Premier League games not out. Fine (wine emoji) Age is just a number! Here’s to the next 450.
Young, who won a clean sweep of domestic championships with Manchester United during a 261-game stint at Old Trafford, also fired back at a putative Red Devils fan who took offence to his Justin Timberlake allusion. The account answered with, “You’re getting relegated pal,” to which Young wrote, “UNLUCKY PAL, I DON’T THINK SO.”
Everton players blogged about their victory over Brentford, including match-winner Idrissa Gueye, who wrote, “SURVIVAL.” “Thank you for believing,” said Abdoulaye Doucoure. “We will not be moved.” EVERTON 1878,” and Jarrad Branthwaite, who said: “What a week.” Enjoy it, Toffees.”
Everton fans send a new message to the Premier League
The aforementioned old Everton battle anthem “We Shall Not Be Moved” blared out over the Goodison Park PA system following the final whistle as the Blues’ top-flight status was secured for the 71st consecutive season, but the home supporters in the stands had already expressed their feelings on the matter in a less sedate manner.
Earlier in the match, a few “You lost the league at Goodison Park” cries could still be heard less than 72 hours after Everton’s first home triumph over Liverpool in 13-and-a-half years. But as Gueye broke the deadlock and put Dyche’s side ahead, attention swiftly turned to the club’s extraordinary sporting sanctions this season. Despite receiving a 10-point deduction in November, the most severe punishment in 135 years of English top-flight football at the time, which was later reduced to six points on appeal, and a further two points added after a second case, the Blues have survived and entered the season’s final month.
Furious fans, who continue to boo the Premier League song before every fixture, responded bluntly to the game’s administration, saying, “You can shove your points deduction up your a**e.”
While it wasn’t subtle, it conveyed a considerably more powerful message than the monotonous collection of generic dirges coming from the away end. The repertoire was like an ironic ‘greatest hits’ from the lower divisions, but as Everton moved above them in the table – despite their points deductions – wild claims that home patrons were “Only here to see the Brentford” were unintentionally funny given that next year the Blues will be moving to a new stadium that will be more than three times the size of where the west Londoners play.
The gloves are on.
Everton striker Youssef Chermiti made his Premier League debut in this game, marking a key milestone.
Dyche looked to Chermiti to lead the attack after Merseyside derby goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Portuguese compatriot Beto were ruled out. Chermiti, described as “a very exciting prospect” by captain James Tarkowski, failed to score in 14 substitute appearances in the competition.
He did have one huge opportunity when he was sent through in the second half, but he blasted his dinked shot wide, which would have been ruled out anyway since the flag was raised for offside. Chermiti, who arrived from Sporting CP last summer, has had a steep learning curve adjusting to English football this season, but given that he is from the Azores, evenings in the North West of England may seem a little chilly for him – even in the final days of April – as evidenced by the player donning gloves for the start of the second half.
In contrast, a little Everton mascot kept everyone’s hands warm immediately before kickoff with an energetic demonstration during the pre-match handshakes. Tarkowski was accompanied down the line to greet the match officials and Brentford players, and the pint-sized Blue was leaving everyone red-faced by reaching skyward to administer a series of strong high-fives.
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