Anthony Gordon scored an exquisite goal but a late Brentford equaliser denied Everton maximum points following a Blues performance rich in endeavour and determination on Saturday.
The Academy graduate’s brilliantly-taken goal midway through the first half looked like it was going to secure a first Premier League win of the season for Frank Lampard’s side, but Vitaly Janelt’s close-range effort five minutes from time meant the game finished all-square.
Amadou Onana was a combative and energetic presence in central midfield in his first Premier League start, with Alex Iwobi again excellent alongside the Belgian.
Everton’s backline dealt well with Brentford’s direct, high-octane football for extended periods but Janelt’s late intervention meant the overwhelming feeling was one of frustration at the final whistle.
Golden Gordon
Gordon’s range of thrilling attributes were all on show as he made Everton’s breakthrough.
The game had exploded into life just after the quarter-hour mark when Matias Jensen struck the inside of Jordan Pickford’s post with a low drive from outside the area.
From the loose ball, Gordon raced upfield and tested David Raya with a well-struck swerving effort, which the Spaniard parried to safety.
Gordon left Raya with left with no chance on 24 minutes, however, with a goal of exceptional quality.
Conor Coady was the creator with fabulous lofted through pass – Gordon timed his run to perfection and his velvet touch set the ball out of his feet, allowing him to place a precision effort into the far corner.
The Evertonians inside the GTech Community Stadium had already been making their voices heard – with the sound of Spirit of the Blues filling the west London air – and the noise went to a new level after as the Toffees’ unrivalled away support serenaded goalscorer Gordon.
Blues Weather Storm, Onana Grows
This Brentford team are a resilient bunch and with no little attacking threat themselves – evidenced by their 4-0 dismantling of Manchester United a fortnight ago – and they were the width of a post from a levelling the scores when Ivan Toney headed against the woodwork. Yoane Wissa seized on the rebound but volleyed wildly over.
A block from the excellent James Tarkowski then thwarted a curling Bryan Mbeumo effort that looked destined for the top corner of Jordan Pickford’s goal.
Everton finished the half on top, though, with Onana a growing influence on the game.
A crunching challenge in the middle of the park was followed by a marauding run forward which almost set up a chance for Dwight McNeil, only for Ben Mee to make the interception.
War Of Attrition
Everton’s opening three games of the season saw the Blues’ positivity and attacking intent go largely unrewarded, with the bounce of the ball agonisingly falling the wrong way in both boxes.
When Brentford hit the crossbar in the early stages of the second half – the third time they struck the woodwork during the game – Frank Lampard may therefore have felt that slice of luck was long overdue.
It was Christian Norgaard who was denied this time by the frame of the goal, as his acrobatic strike cannoned off the crossbar and fall safely into Pickford’s arms.
Pickford was in terrific form between the sticks and he athletically kept out Janelt’s header as the game entered its final 20 minutes.
Everton’s threat was mostly on the counter-attack at this point and Onana looked to have set Gray through one-one-one with Raya with a superb through ball, but the forward was eventually crowded out by retreating Brentford defenders.
The home side continued to mount sustained pressure, though, and struck the leveller on 85 minutes when Janelt turned in following a Brentford corner.
