Everton levels late to secure point at Brentford
Everton stayed level on points with fellow European contender Brentford thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's 91st-minute strike in a 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
Dewsbury-Hall had earlier squandered a golden chance to put Everton ahead at Gtech Community Stadium, but he made no such mistake with his second opportunity.
The Toffees, who sit eighth in the Premier League, one spot behind Brentford, twice had to come from behind in a thrilling contest.
Igor Thiago got the ball rolling with a third-minute penalty, which was given after Jordan Pickford lunged in on Kevin Schade after just 78 seconds.
Yet after Caoimhin Kelleher pulled off a fantastic double save to deny Idrissa Gueye and Beto, the latter headed home to restore parity.
Schade and Nathan Collins hit the crossbar either side of half-time, while Pickford and Jarrad Branthwaite made vital interventions to keep the scores level, before Dewsbury-Hall hesitated when one-on-one with Kelleher.
Thiago deflected Michael Kayode's strike in soon after, but Everton showed plenty of fight, and after Tyrique George had tested Kelleher, Dewsbury-Hall lashed in to level when a deflected Jake O'Brien shot fell into his path.
Bees boss Keith Andrews hailed Thiago after the match.
"He's in an amazing place with how he's playing," Andrews said. "There's a confidence and rhythm to his game.
"To play for his national team was his dream. We always have full confidence in him. He's always involved. He gives a platform for us to play off. He's amazing in both boxes.
"The work-rate off the ball. He's on that upward trajectory – all the things that make a complete centre-forward."
Brentford remains in seventh place, but missed the chance to climb to sixth.
"We wanted to attack the game and try to win," Andrews added. "That’s the nature of every game. When you're winning going into injury time, you feel like you're in a good position.
"We worked hard to get into that position. We played well in the second half until we scored. The equaliser was disappointing for us."
Everton goalkeeper Pickford saluted his team-mates' resilience as they twice came from behind, ensuring their European ambitions remain firmly in sight.
"We're disappointed. I don't think we were good enough for the first 20 minutes of both halves," the England goalkeeper said.
"We showed resilience and came up with a great finish at the end. We wanted three points today, but we'll take a point in injury time. We dug in, we got a result, and we showed character.
"The manager's aim in pre-season was to get Everton back into Europe. That's still the aim. We've got six big games to go, and we'll take each one as it comes. Hopefully, we can get the Toffees on a European tour."
"It was a bit of a rollercoaster game," Dewsbury-Hall added. "We knew it would be a tough game. They have strengths that they play to well.
"Maybe, a draw is a fair result. The fact we came from behind twice shows the mentality of the lads – we never give up, ever.
"Cliche as it is: if you don't win, try not to lose, and we did that. That could be a massive point at the end of the season."


































