Tark offers real spark TOFFEES ACE LEADS THE WAY TO HELP EASE STICKY SPELL
BRENTFORD fans did not much care for James Tarkowski prior to yesterday.
They still have not forgiven him for forcing his way out of their club to join Burnley in 2016.
This morning they will like him even less after the 30-year-old headed home Everton’s crucial second goal in what was their first victory of the season.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and substitute Dominic Calvertlewin were also on target for the visitors, while Mathias Jensen scored for Brentford.
Sean Dyche’s men finally got lift-off on their campaign. Four defeats and a draw before this fixture had not done much to lift supporters’ spirits.
But there were certainly plenty of positives here, with Doucoure looking sharp just behind Beto, who looked lively himself.
And not least with Calvertlewin finding the back of the net with a tidy finish less than 10 minutes after coming on.
As for Brentford, Thomas Frank, already without Ben Mee and Rico Henry through injury, and Ivan Toney through suspension, will have been cursing when Kevin Schade was injured in the warm-up.
The late change might not have hindered the Bees too much but it certainly did not help them and Everton were soon ahead.
James Garner, having seen his corner punched clear by Mark Flekken, returned the ball into the box, Tarkowski headed it in Doucoure’s direction and the big midfielder crashed the ball home.
It was not long before Dwight
Mcneil had an opening to double their lead – but his low drive was just wide and when Doucoure threatened again, with another fierce effort, the ball thumped against the bar.
That let-off for the home side looked even more costly when Jensen fired the Bees level less than two minutes later.
It was a nice finish from the midfielder but Everton missed at least two chances to halt the move.
Both sides were seeing plenty of their opponents’ 18-yard box and Idrissa Gueye’s pass soon released Beto.
The big striker dragged his shot wide, however, after wrapping his right boot too far around the effort.
Despite Everton having the better chances, Brentford ought to have gone in ahead with Bryan Mbeumo’s shot to the far post just needing to be tapped home by Lewis Potter.
Former Brentford player Tarkowski just did enough to put him off, though, and Everton got away with it.
The second half started similarly to the first, with Everton on top, and midway through the period they got their reward when Tarkowski was too strong for Jensen and headed home Mcneil’s corner.
James Garner then dispossessed Yoane Wissa to release Calvert-lewin, who goal finished in style.