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Brentford game today might be make or break for Everton

By Matt Townsend

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Amadou Onana of Everton in action with Josh Dasilva and Christian Norgaard of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Everton FC at Brentford Community Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Brentford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Amadou Onana of Everton in action with Josh Dasilva and Christian Norgaard of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Everton FC at Brentford Community Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Brentford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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In a few hours time Everton host Brentford at Goodison Park in a match that is taking on ever more significant proportions.

If the Toffees’ cannot win this afternoon, is that in all practical senses, game over as far as their hopes for avoiding relegation at the end of this season?

Well technically, of course not. However, if Everton fail to win or even worse are defeated today, it does seem very hard to see how the Blues’ can ultimately survive.

Given this team’s dreadful away record, on one can have any confidence they can pick up more than a point or two more on the road.

For example, last weekend they couldn’t hold onto a lead at Nottingham Forest when three points were there for the taking.

It is possible Everton could win one of them (Crystal Palace or Leicester City maybe) and I still think a win on the road will probably be necessary.

But, we have to focus on the matches that are remaining at the Grand Old Lady in terms of securing safety as these are the ones where there is the most realistic chance of victory.

Looking at the remaining home games, after this afternoon’s match the Toffees’ only have two fixtures that you would think are very winnable; Fulham and then Bournemouth on the last day of the season.

That Bournemouth game will of course be too late if the Blues’ haven’t picked up enough points in the preceding matches.

There are also games at Goodison coming up against Tottenham, Newcastle United and defending champions Manchester City.

But, while it’s theoretically possible they might get three points in one of those, not many would be brave enough to bet on Everton winning all of them!

So, that all means today’s game against Brentford is of crucial importance to the eventual outcome of the campaign.

If the Blues’ can pick up all three points then it will to some limted extent, ease the pressure on those remaining home fixtures and give Sean Dyche some additional breathing room.

It is now over to the players this afternoon to ensure that when the final whistle goes at 5 pm or so, they have found a way to bag all three points.