- Everton salvaged a last-minute equaliser at the Gtech Community Stadium.
- Point keeps them level with Brentford as race for Europe gets even tighter.
- Brentford failed to claim the win after not cashing in their chances in front of goal.
Everton’s draw against Brentford ensured the Blues will be entering the upcoming Merseyside Derby on some form of a positive note.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck in the 91st minute to even affairs and rescue a point for the Toffees.
But Bees boss Keith Andrews stated he was frustrated after the result since his side generated the best chances in the game.
Even though neither side went home with three points, the hosts highlighted an area that outshone Everton’s comparative department, and it is somewhere David Moyes may need to focus on this summer.
New full-backs are needed at Everton
Brentford’s second goal of the afternoon came from some wonderful play by their right back, Michael Kayode.
After receiving the ball on the far right-hand touchline, the Italian international opted to cut in with the ball and make a darting run towards the box.
His move took out three Everton defenders, and his subsequent attempt – albeit aided by a dose of luck – flicked off Igor Thiago and found the back of the net.
The Toffees at this time were in a deep block and had all ten men in their third of the pitch, yet Kayode was still able to generate a chance from right back.
Given the fact that Jake O’Brien is a centre back playing at right back, and Vitalii Mykolenko’s strengths have usually been highlighted in his own third, Everton are crying out for a full back who can do what Kayode did for Brentford.
Attacking full-backs needed, but O’Brien and Mykolenko must stay
Since Moyes’ arrival in January 2025, he has opted to utilise O’Brien and Mykolenko as his full-back duo, and the pair have impressed.
They are part of one of the league’s most rigid defences and truly thrive in a concrete defensive unit.
But an area that they cannot seem to crack is their attacking play.
| Full-back duo | Big chances created – Premier League 2025-26 |
| Keane Lewis-Potter/Michael Kayode | 8 |
| Vitalii Mykolenko/Jake O’Brien | 1 |
According to Sofascore, Brentford’s full back pair from the match yesterday have created seven more big chances in the league this season, as compared to Everton’s.
Granted that Andrews has opted to use wing-backs in portions of the season, which would help Lewis-Potter and Kayode to register better attacking numbers, but they have still generated a lot more than O’Brien and Mykolenko.
With the likes of Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou on the Everton sidelines, it seems as though they will not be getting much first-team action, so if Moyes wants to improve his full back options, the Scotsman may have to turn to the transfer market.
Next summer will be another big one for the Blues, and while a full back is needed, O’Brien and Mykolenko are crucial to Moyes’ plans in maintaining strong depth in the squad.
