Brentford snatch late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Everton

LONDON: Vitaly Janelt hooked in an 84th-minute equaliser to earn Brentford a 1-1 home Premier League draw against Everton after Chelsea target Anthony Gordon had looked as if he might have delivered a much-welcome leaving-present victory for the visitors.

Midfielder Gordon, who could be on his way to Chelsea for around 60 million pounds in the next few days, put Everton ahead after 24 minutes and, despite almost incessant pressure by the home side from then on, they looked as if they might hold out for their first win of the season.

Brentford, who hammered Manchester United 4-0 in their last home game, hit the woodwork three times and the home fans were beginning to think it wouldn't be their day until Janelt rescued a point six minutes from time.

Everton, with just a point to their name from their opening three fixtures, had looked decidedly shaky at the back in the opening stages but took the lead with the sort of goal that looked as if it had been coming at both ends almost since kick off. Conor Coady launched a long ball over a static defence, Gordon took a touch to bring it down then slotted it calmly past David Reya.

Either side of that Brentford twice hit the post, first via a Mathias Jensen shot and then when Ivan Toney, completely unmarked by any of Everton’s three centre backs, hung in the air and thumped a header against a post. The rebound fell nicely for Yoane Wissa who volleyed horribly over the bar.

The muscular presence of Toney was a painful reminder to Everton of their lack of any real striker, and until Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit to return they look destined to continue to struggle for goals.

Brentford took total control in the second half as Christian Norgaard hit the bar and Jordan Pickford made some