Everton had turned in a resolute defensive display in its win over Nottingham Forest last time out, yet none of that resilience was on show as Thiago inspired a rampant Brentford to victory.

A bright Everton start was snapped when Thiago, who had earlier cleared off the Brentford line, turned home from Vitaly Janelt's cross in the 11th minute, after the midfielder had intercepted James Tarkowski's sloppy pass.

Thiago and Kevin Schade squandered opportunities to double the away side's advantage before the break, while Nathan Collins almost scored an own goal just before the interval.

However, some attacking changes from David Moyes at half-time left Everton disjointed, and Brentford took full advantage. Collins headed home from a corner in the 50th minute, and Thiago made it 3-0 a moment later.

Beto pulled a goal back for the Toffees, but Thiago would wrap up his hat-trick in style on the break as the home side poured bodies forward.

Thierno Barry scored his third Premier League goal to reduce the arrears in stoppage-time, but Brentford had already sealed the points in style.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews described Thiago's performance as "sensational".

"Strikers live and breathe [goals] and get a lot of confidence from it," Andrews said.

"He's played well without scoring recently. His performance today was sensational. He deserves the accolades."

Andrews's side is now up to seventh in the Premier League and four points adrift of the top four.

And with a clash against fellow high-flyers Sunderland their next top-flight assignment, Andrews believes a win in that game will further ignite their European ambitions.

"It's about consistency," Andrews added. "I feel the team and squad and club have taken good steps forward in the last few weeks. They have earned that, to play in this way.

"We are very respectful of each game. We just keep working hard. A real appetite to improve all the time and push each other and see where we go."

For Everton, meanwhile, it has now lost back-to-back matches at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time.

"I'm disappointed we didn’t play better," Toffees manager David Moyes said. "We were just a bit short in some areas.

"We were disappointing defensively today and not as strong as we have been. No complaints, Brentford deserved the victory."