Everton made mathematically certain of remaining in the Premier League as Idrissa Gueye's goal handed them a 1-0 home win over Brentford, who are also safe after Luton Town's earlier loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Luton's 2-1 defeat at Molineux meant Brentford's slim fears of relegation were behind them before kick-off, while Everton knew a third straight victory would also secure their place in the top flight for next season.
The Toffees' old wastefulness was on show in the first half, but Gueye powered home 15 minutes into the second half to hand them a third Goodison Park triumph in the space of six days.
The result sees Sean Dyche's men climb above their visitors to go 15th in the table, one place and point clear of Brentford, who can also plan ahead for 2024/25 in the top flight after pulling clear of danger.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 |
Wolves
WOL
|
38 | -15 | 46 |
| 15 |
Everton
EVE
|
38 | -11 | 40 |
| 16 |
Brentford
BRE
|
38 | -9 | 39 |
| 17 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
38 | -18 | 32 |
| 18 |
Luton
LUT
|
38 | -33 | 26 |
| 19 |
Burnley
BUR
|
38 | -37 | 24 |
| 20 |
Sheffield Utd
SHU
|
38 | -69 | 16 |
How the match unfolded
Everton were without Dominic Calvert-Lewin through illness and Beto due to the head injury he suffered against Nottingham Forest. Their absences were felt when the first chance fell their way after six minutes, Youssef Chermiti failing to get a touch on Dwight McNeil's tempting cross.
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Mathias Jensen had Brentford's first sight of goal 20 minutes in following good work from Vitaly Janelt, but in-form defender Jarrad Branthwaite denied him with a huge block.
The best opportunity of a low-key opening period, though, fell to Abdoulaye Doucoure, who sent an awkward volley spinning well wide after finding space on the stroke of half-time.
Brentford should have gone ahead within five minutes of the restart, but Jordan Pickford brilliantly smothered Ivan Toney's shot when his England team-mate looked destined to tap home at the far post.
McNeil then rattled the crossbar from range as Everton turned up the pressure, and they made the breakthrough on the hour-mark.
Gueye fired into the top-left corner after Brentford failed to clear following a goalmouth scramble, scoring with the Toffees' first shot on target.
Keane Lewis-Potter forced a save from Pickford with a shot from the edge of the box, but that was as close as Thomas Frank's men came to an equaliser, and Everton almost had a second when James Garner's free-kick struck the crossbar in stoppage time.
Everton rescue act complete
When Everton welcomed Burnley to Goodison Park on 6 April, they remained in severe danger of seeing a chastening campaign end in relegation.
However, a run of four wins in five games – the most memorable being Wednesday's 2-0 triumph over Merseyside rivals Liverpool – has dragged the Toffees clear and ensured there will be no repeat of last season, when they remained in the Premier League by the skin of the teeth on a nervy final day.
Having earned their first win of the campaign against Brentford back in September, Everton have also done the double over the Bees for just the second time, previously beating them home and away in the second tier back in 1952/53.
Toney struggles continue
While Brentford had enjoyed a resurgence of their own prior to Saturday's game, beating Sheffield United 2-0 and Luton 5-1 in their last two matches, both of those victories came without injured striker Toney.
He returned to the Bees' line-up here but was uncharacteristically quiet, failing to beat Pickford when presented with the visitors' best chance shortly after half-time.
Toney has now failed to score in his last eight Premier League matches, his longest-ever run without a goal in the competition. With Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke in fine form as Gareth Southgate prepares to name his England squad for Euro 2024, his barren spell has come at a bad time.
Club reports
Everton report | Brentford report
Final Premier League fixtures
Key facts
Everton have won each of their last four home Premier League games without conceding; it’s their longest such run in a single season since their final four games of the 2018.19 campaign under Marco Silva.
The Toffees have scored 18 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season (excl. penalties), with only Arsenal netting more (20). Indeed, only in 2008/09 and 200910 (both 19) have Everton netted more such goals in a Premier League campaign.
Brentford have now lost 18 Premier League games this season; their joint-most in a Premier League season along with 2021/22. Indeed, they last lost more times in a top-flight campaign in 1946/47 (26).
Idrissa Gueye has scored three Premier League goals for Everton this season, as many as in his first five campaigns in the competition combined. Indeed, he’s netted two in his last three games in the competition, as many as in his previous 98 appearances.