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Everton return to Premier League action this evening when they take on Brentford.
The Blues are still searching for their first win of the Premier League season and will be hopeful their luck can change today when facing Thomas Frank's side, who continue to exceed expectations. It promises to be a testing evening, ensuring Everton will have to be at their best to gain a result.
Sean Dyche has admitted in the last couple of weeks his players have deserved more than they have received from their first five league fixtures, a message he will hope to not have to worry about come the full-time whistle.
Kicking off at 5.30pm, and live on Sky Sports, Chris Beesley and Joe Thomas will both be at the Gtech Community Stadium to provide live updates on the action, as well as bring you team news, analysis and post-match reaction.
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Key Events
- Full-time: Brentford 1 – 3 Everton
- GOAL 3-1 (Dominic Calvert-Lewin)
- GOAL 2-1 Everton (James Tarkowski)
- Half-time: Brentford 1 – 1 Everton
- Goal 1-1 Brentford (Mathias Jensen)
Connor O'Neill
Joe Thomas verdict
Thomas Frank knew what was coming but, despite his immense talent and the squad he has crafted so carefully in west London, he could do little about it.
His programme notes predicted the threat Everton would pose, the Brentford boss anticipating a fight against intense pressing, dangerous crosses and second ball battles. After the lacklustre display against Arsenal, Blues could have been forgiven for wondering what Frank was basing his assessment on. But his foresight was remarkably accurate.
Everton’s best display of the season was a box-ticking exercise as Sean Dyche’s men addressed criticism after criticism of recent performances to run rampant in the capital. This was a riot against a good side – a much-needed boost amid the chaos of the club’s off-field drama and a valuable foothold into a tough campaign.
Everton were hungrier, stronger and quicker than Brentford across much of this match, none more so than at the beginning of each half. The aftermath of the defeat to Arsenal was dominated by discussion over Dyche’s preferred midfield three of Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure and its inability to assert any control or authority at Goodison Park. Dyche kept his faith in the partnership and in the opening 30 minutes in west London the unit delivered a near-perfect response.
Read Joe's full match verdict here.
Connor O'Neill
Thomas Frank reaction
The Brentford has just said: "First and foremost Everton deserved to win. We performed badly. This was very unlike us and these fantastic players that we played like that today.
"This group of players have been good at bouncing back. It's very important we do so again. It was more than a little bit off [Brentford's passing in the first half]. We were off it in terms of touches – especially first half."
Connor O'Neill
Sean Dyche reaction
The Everton boss has just told the BBC: "I thought it was a similar performances to ones we didn't win in that we created chances. We created some great chances first half. It was a worthy win in the end.
"They are hard yards when you're not winning games. Brentford are a top side. We are still a work in progress. It is a stepping stone. These are all building blocks."
On Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring: "He is a very good player. He has had a very frustrating period. It's been a very hard period for him but he stuck at it. He will get fitter and sharper. Dwight [McNeil] again is only just back fit. There was a lot of good in the performance today."
On playing Calvert-Lewin and Beto together: "I'd still like to play two strikers when I can. It's got to suit the players."
Connor O'Neill
'Take the rest with a pinch of salt'
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has just told Sky Sports: "You can see the emotion at the end with the lads and the fans. It's been a tough start to the season. It's been frustrating personally to not be involved as much as I would have liked.
"Football is a funny old game. When I came off against Aston Villa my own fans booed me off. Today they cheered me. I'll relish this and take the rest with a pinch of salt."
Connor O'Neill
Premier League table
Everton leap out of the relegation zone following that win over Thomas Frank's side. The Blues are now 15 in the table, four points above the drop zone.
Connor O'Neill
Great scenes in the away end
Great scenes in the away end. Everton's fans have travelled in numbers to London and they are lapping up a rare away win. Blues supporters are going to enjoy tonight.
Connor O'Neill
Chris Beesley's ratings
Everton got their season up and running on Saturday evening, as they produced a brilliant performance to win 3-1 at Brentford.
Goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure, James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw the Blues pick up their first victory of the campaign. Brentford had levelled earlier on through Matthias Jensen, but Sean Dyche's side dominated throughout.
The victory moves Everton on to four points from their six games, with home matches against Luton Town and Bournemouth to come before the international break.
Chris Beesley was in attendance for the ECHO in the capital and had the pleasure of rating the travelling Toffees players.
Connor O'Neill
Dyche vindicated
Superb from Everton. Brilliant from start to finish as Sean Dyche's controversial pre-match team selection vindicated.
James Tarkowski and James Garner outstanding, while Jarrad Branthwaite shows again why he is Everton crown jewel.
Joe Thomas
One of those mad, brilliant performances
Dyche engaged in a long applause to the away end. One of those mad, brilliant performances that have dotted Dyche's tenure, often coming out of the blue just as he and the club need them.
KEY EVENT
Full-time: Brentford 1 – 3 Everton
Everton pick up their first win of the season after goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure, James Tarkowksi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin secure a 3-1 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Connor O'Neill
Penalty appeals
Brentford penalty appeals waved away by Michael Oliver.
Connor O'Neill
Six minutes
Six minutes added on at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Connor O'Neill
Dyche and Woan reaction
Sean Dyche and Ian Woan have just been screaming at Everton's players to get back after they gave the ball away deep inside the Brentford half. Just under five minutes of normal time remaining.
Chris Beesley
Danjuma on
Danjuma replaces Onana in a switch Everton were going to do a few minutes ago but held back from.
Chris Beesley
Big moment for Garner
Another big moment for Garner as he won back possession and picked out Calvert-Lewin with the new dad celebrating by sucking his thumb and doing a “rocking the baby” motion.
KEY EVENT
GOAL 3-1 (Dominic Calvert-Lewin)
The forward extends Everton's lead in the capital.
Joe Thomas
Brentford on the attack
Brentford on the attack and now have a corner after a goalmouth scramble worthy of any DVD compilation.
Chris Beesley
'A big set-piece'
Tarkowski heads in from McNeil’s corner kick. I just said to Joe “A big set-piece.” Everton had everyone forward.
KEY EVENT
GOAL 2-1 Everton (James Tarkowski)
Everton are back in front courtesy of James Tarkowski.
Connor O'Neill
Double change
Kristoffer Ajer and Frank Onyeka on in a double change for the home side.
Joe Thomas
Calvert-Lewin on
Dominic Calvert-Lewin on for Beto. Good 60 minutes from Beto. No face mask for Calvert-Lewin.
Chris Beesley
Another Everton chance
McNeil drags a shot wide and Calvert-Lewin comes on for Beto.
Connor O'Neill
Beto heads wide
Beto heads wide from Tarkowski's cross. All Everton at the moment.
Chris Beesley
Onana chance
Another headed chance at the back post for Onana but he’s off target again as Tarkowski nodded down from McNeil’s left wing delivery.
Chris Beesley
Calvert-Lewin incoming
Looks like Dominic Calvert-Lewin might be getting ready to enter the fray.
Joe Thomas
Good start to the second half
Good start to the second half from Everton. McNeil is moving into the centre of the pitch at every opportunity. There's a good chance for Everton here if someone can seize the initiative and McNeil is trying hard to be that player.
Connor O'Neill
Chance for McNeil
Chance for McNeil but his effort from the edge of the box is comfortably saved by Flekken.
Chris Beesley
Speculative effort from Beto
Speculative effort from Beto from just inside the Brentford half after spotting Flekken off his line but it’s a simple take.
Chris Beesley
Early break in play
Early break in play as Jensen goes down with a head injury. Both teams feeling each other out again and it’s in the balance as to which way this one might go.
Connor O'Neill
Back underway
Back underway at the Gtech Community Stadium. No changes from either side at the break.