ANTHONY GORDON added another hefty lump to his asking price as he earned Everton’s first away point of the season.
But relieved Frank Lampard will know his side got away with it after Brentford missed a hat-full and hit the woodwork THREE times before substitute Vitaly Janelt’s late leveller.
Gordon’s Goodison future will be decided over the next few days after the Toffees rejected three Chelsea bids, the last for a stunning £60m.
And if the winger, 21, wanted to be noticed for more than his bleached blond mop, there was no better way than by scoring his first goal since April.
Conor Coady’s clever ball through the middle saw Gordon steal in behind Brentford back line that had gone to sleep.
Despite the desperate efforts of Zanka, Gordon showed calm conviction as he tucked left-footed past David Raya.
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Janelt’s close-range finish, from Brentford’s 18th attempt on goal, ensured they got the very least they deserved.
Yet Bees boss Thomas Frank was still left shaking his head in disbelief at one that got away.
On another day, the home side would have matched, or even exceeded, the four they smashed into the Manchester United net two weeks ago.
To be fair to Jordan Pickford, he made a few decent saves.
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But Brentford were their own worst enemies with a series of absolutely woeful misses.
The catalogue of calamity in front of goal started in only the 10th minute when – not for the first time, and certainly not the last – Rico Henry raced into the gaping hole behind Everton’s all-at-sea back line.
Henry squared for Bryan Mbeumo, who had time – and space – to pick his spot but somehow contrived to slot wide of the upright.
The front three of Gordon, Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray appeared to be only confused by their instructions to rotate positions.
Josh Dasilva squandered a potential four against two counter before the home fans were cursing again as Mathias Jensen’s shot came back off the foot of the post with Pickford a mere spectator.
Everton had half-chances, too, James Tarkowski failing to control in front of goal when a half-cleared corner was nodded back into the box.
Even so, the reasons why they have splashed out for Brighton striker Neal Maupay, set to make his debut at Leeds in midweek, were crystal clear.
And at the other end, Lampard’s side were so exposed, so easily, whenever Brentford played over the top.
Pickford, just, scrambled a near-post corner away before Gordon’s moment of quality.
Yet that only signalled a further home storm as Pickford’s goal led a charmed life.
Ivan Toney was the next to be thwarted by the woodwork – again he should have scored with a free header from eight yards – with Yoane Wissa blazing the rebound over the top.
Shocking. And with Everton still absolutely all over the place at the back, Mbeumo twice should have done better from close range, hitting a half-volley at Pickford before steering wide.
The second half was similar.
Pickford’s feet denied Henry after he burst into the box, then Christian Norgaard’s overhead kick from a trademark long throw routine cannoned back off the bar.
Third time unlucky, although Gordon might have smuggled a second after Amadou Onana, on his first Prem start, won the ball in midfield for a move which ended with the goalscorer’s shot scrambled away.
It was getting a little tetchy, especially when Gordon careered into Bees assistant boss Brian Riemer after being shoved into the technical area.
But Pickford kept his head, shovelling away a downward header from Janelt, although relieved again when Toney was unable to get any real purchase on a headed opportunity.
Desperate stuff, Brentford throwing the kitchen sink at the visitors but seemingly unable to force the goal their efforts more than warranted.
But just as Everton looked to be holding on, they were finally breached.
Jensen‘s corner was flicked on by substitute Keane Lewis-Potter and Janelt stole in to poke home inside the six-yard box.
The bare minimum reward for so much.
Lampard, meanwhile, might be starting to think about what else he can get with that potential Gordon money before the window slams down.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
