Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Sat 11 April 2026 16:55, UK

Everton left it late to secure a point in a 2-2 draw away to Brentford.

The day couldn’t have got off to a worse start for the Toffees, who found themselves 1-0 down within three minutes with Igor Thiago scoring from the spot after Kevin Schade was fouled by Jordan Pickford.

However, the hosts’ lead lasted just 23 minutes, with Beto continuing his fine form in front of goal to draw the Toffees level.

Brentford posed the most threat after that, with both Schade and Nathan Collins striking the bar with headers, and eventually, that threat paid off, with Thiago on the scoresheet again after deflecting Michael Kayode’s effort beyond Pickford to make it 2-1.

It looked as though Everton were headed for a defeat until Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck in injury time to secure a late point for the Toffees.

Everton remain in the hunt for European football, and the character they showed in the latter stages against the Bees will give them added hope.

Beto hits form at perfect time for Everton

Having had a hand in all three goals in the win against Chelsea before the international break, his goal against Brentford means he now has four goal involvements in two games.

However, it wasn’t just his goal that earned him his plaudits on Saturday, with his all-round game once again much better than Everton fans had grown accustomed to earlier in the season.

The 28-year-old was a handful in the air, as showcased by the fact that he won two of his three aerial duels.

Having completed 11 of his 14 attempted passes in the game, Beto also fared well when it came to holding the ball up, even if his teammates weren’t able to make the most of their possession in the final third.

Dwight McNeil was anonymous vs Brentford

Dwight McNeil has shown some quality ever since his failed deadline day move away from Merseyside, but the clash against the Bees was not his day.

Very little came from his side of the pitch, with the Toffees often forced to attack through Iliman Ndiaye, given the lack of threat posed by McNeil.

He failed to complete any of his four attempted crosses in the game, while also failing to find a teammate with his two attempted long balls in the game.

When in possession, McNeil was far too reluctant to take a risk, and that was telling given the Toffees’ lack of attacking impetus while he was on the pitch.

Everton player ratings

Jordan Pickford – 6

Jake O’Brien – 7

James Tarkowski – 6

Jarrad Branthwaite – 7

Vitalii Mykolenko – 6

James Garner – 6

Idrissa Gueye – 6

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6

Dwight McNeil – 3

Iliman Ndiaye – 6

Beto – 8

Subs

Thierno Barry – 5 (for Beto 74′)

Tim Iroegbunam – 5 (for Gueye 74′)

Tyrique George – 5 (for McNeil 74′)

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.