KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL struck an added-time equaliser as Everton salvaged a 2-2 Premier League draw against fellow European hopefuls Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Igor Thiago twice had the hosts on course for victory, becoming the Bees’ record scorer in a single Premier League season by taking his tally to 21 with an early penalty and a fortuitous 77th-minute finish.
But midfielder Dewsbury-Hall finished on the rebound a minute beyond the 90 to frustrate home supporters after Beto headed the Toffees’ initial leveller in the 27th minute.
The two sides remain firmly in the mix for continental qualification but missed the chance to pile pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea in the battle to secure Champions League football through a top-five finish.
Brentford stay seventh after edging on to 47 points following a fourth consecutive league draw, with eighth-placed Everton below on goal difference ahead of next weekend’s Merseyside derby.
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Mats Wieffer of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates his goal. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Elsewhere, Mats Wieffer’s brace kept Brighton firmly in the hunt for European football next season and edged sorry Burnley closer to the drop.
Wieffer produced two clinical finishes, in the 43rd and 89th minutes, to give Fabian Hurzeler’s side a 2-0 win, which moved them to within two points of sixth-placed Chelsea and only one behind Brentford in seventh.
Despite not being at their best, the visitors still had too much for Scott Parker’s team and the hosts, after losing for the 20th time in the league this term, were booed off at the final whistle.
Burnley demonstrated a steeliness they have lacked throughout most of the season during a competitive first half, with Jaidon Anthony having an effort ruled out for offside as Parker’s men caused problems whenever they surged forward.
The only trouble was, with Brighton guilty of over-elaborating or failing to gamble when the effective Yankuba Minteh whipped a series of tantalising centres across Martin Dubravka’s box, they were also unable to make the most of the opportunities that came their way.
That wastefulness was punished two minutes before the interval when Wieffer ended his 16-month goal drought by stroking the ball past Dubravka, who had already denied Minteh and been let off the hook when Danny Welbeck uncharacteristically fluffed his lines inside the six-yard box.
Minteh, whose industry had created the opening for the former England forward, was predictably involved in the flowing move which ended with Wieffer directing a low first-time shot into the bottom corner, having sent Pascal Gross scampering down the touchline with a slide-rule pass before the German cut the ball back for his Dutch team-mate.
As groans echoed around the stadium following Burnley’s latest body blow, Lesley Ugochukwu found himself presented with a fine opportunity to level when Brighton’s defence went to sleep.
But the Burnley midfielder sliced his attempt wide of a post, much to the relief of keeper Bart Verbruggen.
To their credit, the hosts’ disappointment had vanished by the time they came out for the second period.
Bashir Humphreys thought he had levelled, only to be adjudged offside after sliding home from close range when Verbruggen parried a James Ward-Prowse free-kick straight into his path.
Soon after, Zian Flemming drew a smart save from Verbruggen, who blocked the former Millwall attacker’s attempt with his legs.
Brighton, though, always carried a threat when they charged forward, and it required an equally impressive intervention from Dubravka to palm away a curling attempt from Jack Hinshelwood, which looked destined for the net.
But Wieffer pounced superbly on the stroke of full-time after combining with Yasin Ayari when Burnley’s defence failed to clear.
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Keith Andrews' Brentford left frustrated by Everton
Premier League 3pm results:
KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL struck an added-time equaliser as Everton salvaged a 2-2 Premier League draw against fellow European hopefuls Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Igor Thiago twice had the hosts on course for victory, becoming the Bees’ record scorer in a single Premier League season by taking his tally to 21 with an early penalty and a fortuitous 77th-minute finish.
But midfielder Dewsbury-Hall finished on the rebound a minute beyond the 90 to frustrate home supporters after Beto headed the Toffees’ initial leveller in the 27th minute.
The two sides remain firmly in the mix for continental qualification but missed the chance to pile pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea in the battle to secure Champions League football through a top-five finish.
Brentford stay seventh after edging on to 47 points following a fourth consecutive league draw, with eighth-placed Everton below on goal difference ahead of next weekend’s Merseyside derby.
Elsewhere, Mats Wieffer’s brace kept Brighton firmly in the hunt for European football next season and edged sorry Burnley closer to the drop.
Wieffer produced two clinical finishes, in the 43rd and 89th minutes, to give Fabian Hurzeler’s side a 2-0 win, which moved them to within two points of sixth-placed Chelsea and only one behind Brentford in seventh.
Despite not being at their best, the visitors still had too much for Scott Parker’s team and the hosts, after losing for the 20th time in the league this term, were booed off at the final whistle.
Burnley demonstrated a steeliness they have lacked throughout most of the season during a competitive first half, with Jaidon Anthony having an effort ruled out for offside as Parker’s men caused problems whenever they surged forward.
The only trouble was, with Brighton guilty of over-elaborating or failing to gamble when the effective Yankuba Minteh whipped a series of tantalising centres across Martin Dubravka’s box, they were also unable to make the most of the opportunities that came their way.
That wastefulness was punished two minutes before the interval when Wieffer ended his 16-month goal drought by stroking the ball past Dubravka, who had already denied Minteh and been let off the hook when Danny Welbeck uncharacteristically fluffed his lines inside the six-yard box.
Minteh, whose industry had created the opening for the former England forward, was predictably involved in the flowing move which ended with Wieffer directing a low first-time shot into the bottom corner, having sent Pascal Gross scampering down the touchline with a slide-rule pass before the German cut the ball back for his Dutch team-mate.
As groans echoed around the stadium following Burnley’s latest body blow, Lesley Ugochukwu found himself presented with a fine opportunity to level when Brighton’s defence went to sleep.
But the Burnley midfielder sliced his attempt wide of a post, much to the relief of keeper Bart Verbruggen.
To their credit, the hosts’ disappointment had vanished by the time they came out for the second period.
Bashir Humphreys thought he had levelled, only to be adjudged offside after sliding home from close range when Verbruggen parried a James Ward-Prowse free-kick straight into his path.
Soon after, Zian Flemming drew a smart save from Verbruggen, who blocked the former Millwall attacker’s attempt with his legs.
Brighton, though, always carried a threat when they charged forward, and it required an equally impressive intervention from Dubravka to palm away a curling attempt from Jack Hinshelwood, which looked destined for the net.
But Wieffer pounced superbly on the stroke of full-time after combining with Yasin Ayari when Burnley’s defence failed to clear.
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Keith Andrews point apiece Report Soccer Brentford Everton