Wissa's wizardry hands Brentford victory at nine-man Everton

Football
By Reuters | May 15, 2022
Jarrad Branthwaite and Salomon Rondon sent off as Everton fall to damaging defeat against Brentford Reuters

Yoane Wissa created one goal and scored another as Brentford compounded Everton’s Premier League relegation woes with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Goodison Park on Sunday that leaves the Merseyside club, who finished with nine men, still in peril.

Everton’s bright start was rewarded with a first goal since August for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but their day turned sour when teenage centre back Jarrad Branthwaite was deservedly sent-off for a professional foul after 18 minutes.

Brentford took control after that as Wissa forced Everton captain Seamus Coleman to put the ball into his own net, though Richarlison restored the home side's advantage from the penalty spot to give his team a 2-1 lead at halftime.

But two headed goals in three minutes just past the hour-mark from Wissa and Rico Henry, and a late red card for Salomon Rondon, handed Brentford a win that leaves Everton two points ahead of Burnley in the third relegation position with both sides having two games remaining.

Everton will have another chance to keep their top-flight status when they host Crystal Palace on Thursday, and then travel to Arsenal on the final day of the campaign.

Brentford host Leeds United next Sunday in the final game of the season for both teams, with the Elland Road side also facing the threat of relegation.

Everton led when Richarlison scuffed a shot at the near post from Anthony Gordon’s free kick and the ball rolled across the face of goal, taking a touch off Calvert-Lewin on its way into the net.

But the home side were reduced to 10 men when Branthwaite clipped the heels of Ivan Toney as the last defender. Branthwaite was in the side after Michael Keane fell ill overnight.

Coleman headed Wissa’s cross into his own net, before Richarlison won and converted a penalty, but Brentford used their numerical advantage to great effect and turned the screw in the second half.

They were back level after Christian Eriksen's corner was superbly met at the near post by Wissa, whose looping header drifted in at the far side of the goal.

That silenced the crowd, but worse was to follow as the visitors took the lead moments later when Henry headed Christian Norgaard’s cross into the net, with Everton’s lack of height at the back following Branthwaite’s red card cruelly exposed.

 

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