Everton secure Premier League survival with victory over Brentford

Everton capped a season-defining week with a third successive home victory to secure their Premier League status as Idrissa Gueye scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Brentford.

For the second successive campaign it was a midfielder – a year ago Abdoulaye Doucoure had the honour on the final day – who stepped up to be the Toffees’ saviour and ensure their final season at Goodison Park will be in the top flight.

Last Saturday the Senegal international’s first goal at the ground since February 2017 paved the way for a crucial win over Nottingham Forest.

And, after a rare victory over Liverpool in midweek, Gueye, who before last weekend had scored just four times in 186 league appearances, made it two in three games when he fired home through a crowd of players to settle an uninspiring affair.

The quality of entertainment will matter little to Everton and their fans, however, as a win by any means took them out of the reach of 18th-placed Luton, beaten earlier in the day at Wolves, as it opened up an 11-point gap with only three matches remaining.

Celebrations were muted at the final whistle in the knowledge that, without two separate deductions totalling eight points for breaches of profitability and sustainability rules, life would have been a lot more comfortable for Sean Dyche’s side.

But, with Goodison now deservedly getting a farewell season in the Premier League – their 71st consecutive top-flight campaign – before the move to Bramley-Moore Dock, the club’s future now rests on 777 Partners’ takeover, which is about to drag into a 10th month.

After a first half without a shot on target the game sprang into life five minutes after the break when Mathias Jensen’s low pass behind the back four reached Ivan Toney at the