Brentford 1-0 Everton: player ratings, heroes and villains as Toffees lose for fifth time in six games

Everton’s dire form continued as they fell to a fifth defeat in six matches at Brentford in the Premier League.

The Toffees slumped to a 1-0 loss as they lacked any sort of attacking threat throughout the majority of the clash.

The game was settled by Ivan Toney’s 24th-minute penalty after a VAR review spotted Andros Townsend had caught Frank Onyeka inside the box.

As a consequence, more pressure has piled on Everton boss Rafa Benitez, whose side dropped to 14th in the table.

The heroes

- Ivan Toney: the striker showed nerves of steel to stroke home his penalty. It was as nonchalant as you like to grab a maiden top-flight goal at the Brentford Community Stadium. Toney also defended set-pieces superbly to help earn the home side three points.

- Charlie Goode: the defender made his maiden Premier League start for the Bees and stepped up superbly. Goode, who was playing in League Two only two seasons ago, helped shackle Everton and his long throws caused constant danger.

- Frank Onyeka: the Nigeria international took one one for the team to earn Brentford a spot-kick. A boot to the face from Townsend resulted in Onyeka needing treatment, but it was well worth it.

The villains

- Andros Townsend: it was the winger’s high foot to the head of Onyeka which gifted Brentford a penalty. For someone with his experience, it was a rookie mistake and proved costly.

- Alex Iwobi: another poor performance from the ex-Arsenal forward. Iwobi scarcely offered an attacking threat and gave the ball away far too much. For a £35 million signing, he has failed to take on the mantle despite the attacking problems at Goodison Park.

- Rafa Benitez: there are mitigating circumstances for the Everton manager, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina injured and Richarlison suspended. But Benitez failed to conjure up any sort of game-plan that troubled Brentford. Many supporters on social media were frustrated youngsters Lewis Dobbin or Ellis Simms were not brought on to try to change things. Could they have done any worse? Everton have now not scored in their past three games.

Player ratings

Brentford (3-5-2): Fernandez 7, Goode 7, Jansson 6, Pinnock 7, Canos 6, Janelt 6, Norgaard 6 (Baptiste 70; 6), Onyeka 7, Henry 6 (Roerslev 78), Mbeumo 6, Toney 7.

Everton (4-4-1-1): Pickford 5, Coleman 4, Godfrey 5, Keane 4, Digne 5, Doucoure 5, Allan 5, Gordon 5, Townsend 4 (Gray 70; 6), Iwobi 3, Rondon 4.

What’s Everton’s next fixture?

The Toffees have one of their biggest games of the season on Wednesday.

It’s the Merseyside derby, with Liverpool making the short trip to Goodison Park.