Everton were just six minutes away from securing their first win of the new Premier League season against Brentford but it was not to be.
Anthony Gordon - the subject of intense speculation about a move to Chelsea - h ad demonstrated his worth to put the Toffees on course for three points in the capital before the Bees eventually made the breakthrough via substitute Vitaly Janelt's late leveller.
The result leaves Frank Lampard's side still winless and on two points. Here's a round-up of what the national media had to say about the result.
READ MORE: Everton analysis - Amadou Onana boost as Neil Maupay point proven
READ MORE: Two Anthony Gordon touches that told a story worth more than £45m for Everton
John Aizlewood - Daily Telegraph
With ineligible new signing Neal Maupay training on Merseyside, Salomon Rondon struggling and Dominic Calvert-Lewin a week from fitness, Everton were once again without a recognised centre forward and were laboured in attack. When Brentford broke with their trademark alacrity Everton were swamped.
Chances fell, first to Bryan Mbeumo, who steered Rico Henry’s cross inches wide and Jensen rattled a daisy cutter against the post. Having made the running and created the chances, Brentford then fell behind. Conor Coady hoofed a long ball forwards. Gordon collected, shrugged off Mathias Jorgensen’s dilettante challenge in value-adding fashion and fired past David Raya for his first goal since early April.
What could Brentford do but create more chances? Yet again taking advantage of Everton’s lack of defensive width, Henry sped down the left again and crossed for the unmarked Ivan Toney to head against the post. The ball fell to the similarly unchaperoned Yoane Wissa, who somehow contrived to blast over the open goal.
Henry continued to cause consternation after the break and soon the woodwork was rattling for a third time, this time when Norgaard teed himself up for an overhead kick which crashed against the bar.
With Brentford knocking at a door that seemed firmly bolted, Everton retreated into a back five, Frank went for broke with a triple substitution, but only dogged defending by Ben Mee prevented Dermarai Gray from notching Everton’s second after more excellent work from Onana.
With that final flurry, Everton seemed set to head north goal intact, first three points of the season in a swagbag. Alas for them, if not for the balance of the contest, it was not to be.
PA Media
Frank Lampard, praised Anthony Gordon for shutting out the noise surrounding a potential transfer to Chelsea after his goal in the draw at Brentford.
With Chelsea rumoured to be poised with a £60m bid before Thursday’s deadline, the winger capped a fine display with a well-taken first goal of the season only for Vitaly Janelt to snatch a point for Brentford late on.
The 21-year-old raced on to a Conor Coady through ball and took a touch before calmly placing it past David Raya. Lampard has given Chelsea an ultimatum to make a firm offer and they may need to add a little more after this performance.
But the former Chelsea player and manager said: “He’s a level of player at 21 years of age, with what he showed last year, everyone is talking about and clubs are interested in him, and have had a nibble at him.
“But he’s our player so I don’t come away from today thinking ‘oh dear that’s made someone keen to pay more millions for him’. I come away thinking ‘he’s an Everton player and I want him to stay. Simple.”
If Chelsea do make their move and Gordon leaves then this was almost the perfect goodbye as he fired Everton close to their first win of the campaign.
However, Brentford, who had hit the woodwork three times, equalised through Janelt’s close-range strike six minutes from time. Thomas Frank’s side had beaten Manchester United 4-0 in their previous home match and the manager felt they should have replicated that scoreline.
“How did we not win? That will be an unknown mystery forever,” he said. “Wow, what a performance. In many ways it was better than the United game.
Aadem Patel - Daily Mail
Lampard had warned Chelsea he wanted a quick resolution on the future of Anthony Gordon. And just five miles away from Stamford Bridge, it was the 21-year-old who nearly provided the solution to Everton's winless start with a moment of brilliance.
The Blues had lacked that finishing touch this season thus far but Gordon's well-taken goal midway through the first half looked set to give them a crucial three points against a Brentford outfit that created chance after chance and hit the woodwork three times but failed to convert till the late stages.
Substitute Vitaly Janelt tucked home from close range in the 84th minute from a flicked on corner to give Thomas Frank's side no less than they deserved.
Everton managed just one point from their travels to the capital last season and for the Everton manager, it was more a sense of a point gained rather than two lost. But it was the other Frank who could not believe his side didn't get the points that would have seen Brentford rise up to fourth.
Brentford were made to rue their missed opportunities when midway through the first half, Conor Coady's delightful ball over the top found Gordon in space. He calmly allowed the ball to bounce, before taking a touch with his left-foot to steady himself and finish superbly past David Raya.
For all the talk of Gordon's valuation despite scoring just four goals in the league last term, this was an accomplished finish that may just be what another side in West London can look forward to seeing.
Gordon wheeled away in celebration pointing his fingers to his ears as if to say he was blocking out all of the noise. It was Gordon's first away goal for Everton and may well be his last.
Andy Sims - The Independent
Everton boss Frank Lampard praised Anthony Gordon for shutting out the noise surrounding a potential switch to Chelsea after his goal in the 1-1 draw at Brentford.
With the Blues rumoured to be poised with a £60million bid before Thursday’s deadline, winger Gordon capped a fine display with a well-taken first goal of the season.
The 21-year-old raced on to a Conor Coady through-ball and took a touch before calmly placing it past Bees keeper David Raya.
Lampard has given the Blues an ultimatum to show them the colour of their money, and they may need even more following this latest display. If Chelsea do make their move and Gordon leaves then this was almost the perfect goodbye as he fired Everton to the brink of their first win of the campaign.
However Brentford, who had hit the woodwork three times, equalised through Vitaly Janelt’s close-range strike six minutes from time. The Bees had beaten Manchester United 4-0 in their previous home match and boss Thomas Frank felt they should have replicated that scoreline.
READ NEXT
- Brentford vs Everton goals, highlights and reaction
- Everton player ratings as Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana good but two stars poor at Brentford
- Frank Lampard may be forced into big Everton u-turn to kickstart season
- Frank Lampard explains why Everton signed Neal Maupay and gives training update
- Graham Potter reveals why Brighton sanctioned Neal Maupay transfer to Everton
