Everton 1 Brentford 0

Idrissa Gueye struck the decisive blow on the hour mark as Brentford fell to a 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.

Shortly after Jordan Pickford had made an impressive save to deny England team-mate Ivan Toney, Gueye timed his run to perfection to seize on a loose ball and slam home a first-time effort from the edge of the six-yard box.

Goalkeepers untroubled during first half of few chances

Thomas Frank made two changes to the side that beat Luton Town 5-1 at Kenilworth Road.

Captain Christian Nørgaard replaced compatriot Mikkel Damsgaard in the Bees’ midfield three, while Toney, having recovered from a hip injury, was given the task of leading the line. Keane Lewis-Potter dropped to the bench, with in-form Yoane Wissa shifted to the left.

Brentford fashioned the first chance with four minutes on the clock. Mathias Jensen won and then delivered an out-swinging corner from the right. Ethan Pinnock, on the penalty spot, turned the ball towards goal, Ben Godfrey make a block and then former Bee James Tarkowski cleared to safety.

Moments later, at the other end, Dwight McNeil’s driven effort skipped across the face of goal and wide with Youssef Chermiti at full stretch looking to make contact inside the six-yard box.

Frank’s side dominated possession during the opening stages as they went in search of an opener.

On 20 minutes, Sergio Reguilón, in an advanced position on the left, lifted the ball over two Toffees defenders and into the box. Vitaly Janelt spun away from Godfrey and found Mathias Jensen, who opened up the angle and took aim for the far corner only to see his shot blocked by a sliding Jarrad Branthwaite.

On 35 minutes, McNeil robbed Reguilón and lifted a cross into the box. It was Godfrey who met it but, under pressure from Jensen, his header was tame and comfortably held by Flekken.

The hosts ended the half with a flourish. Jack Harrison latched on to McNeil’s through ball and saw his shot from a tight angle blocked by Nathan Collins.

After Everton recycled the resultant corner, Chermiti showed some quick thinking to flick the ball towards Doucouré, who skewed wide on the volley from 10 yards.

Harrison then lashed wide of the far post having collected a loose ball on the edge of the area.

Gueye goal given after VAR check

Brentford had a big opportunity to take the lead five minutes after the restart.

Wissa’s well-timed flick-on gave Jensen plenty of space to advance into and the Dane lifted his head and found Toney with a low, curling cross. Jordan Pickford advanced off his line quickly and smothered the striker’s shot.

Shortly after, McNeil was teed up by James Garner on the edge of the area and saw his swerving effort cannon back off the crossbar.

Everton took the lead on the hour mark. Harrison cut the ball back for Branthwaite and when the defender’s shot was blocked, Idrissa Gueye timed his run to perfection to seize on a loose ball and slam home a first-time effort from the edge of the six-yard box. There was a VAR check for offside, but the goal stood.

Having combined with Branthwaite, McNeil advanced into the box and fired across the face of goal as the Toffees looked to double their lead.

On 74 minutes, Reguilón’s corner from the left was flicked towards goal by Toney and saved by Pickford.

Lewis-Potter was looking lively following his introduction. The forward scampered into the area and, with fellow substitute Damsgaard providing a decoy run, cut on to his right foot and saw his well-struck effort pushed away by Pickford.

On 84 minutes, Chermiti raced through on goal having been found by McNeil. The striker held off Kristoffer Ajer and lifted the ball over the advancing Flekken but generated too much power and his shot cleared the crossbar.

In the second minute of stoppage-time, Garner whipped a free-kick towards the back post and the ball rattled the crossbar.

At the other end, Kevin Schade darted to the edge of the box and tested Pickford with a powerful low drive. The keeper gathered at the second attempt with Toney searching for a rebound.

Everton (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Harrison, Garner, Gueye (Onana 78), McNeil; Doucouré; Chermiti (Keane 90+5)

Subs not used: Virgínia, Lonergan, Danjuma, Gomes, Warrington, Hunt, Metcalfe

Brentford (4-3-3): Flekken; Ajer (Roerslev 84), Collins, Pinnock, Reguilón (Schade 77); Nørgaard (Yarmoliuk 77), Jensen, Janelt (Damsgaard 67); Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa (Lewis-Potter 67)

Subs not used: Valdimarsson, Zanka, Ghoddos, Onyeka

Frank: They took the one moment they had

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank cut a frustrated figure following the Bees’ 1-0 defeat to Everton.

“It was a tight game. A little bit of a boring game, honestly,” he said.

“There was not too much in it and it probably should have been a draw.

“We had the biggest chance to Ivan at 0-0.

“We knew they are very good at set-pieces and we kept them on a minimum there – actually no chances.

“On the day, we didn’t have enough quality to create enough decisive situations and unfortunately, we lost a tight game.”