Everton were dragged right back into the Premier League relegation battle as they were beaten 3-2 by Brentford. To make matters even worse for the Toffees, they finished the game with nine men following red cards for Jarrad Branthwaite and Salomon Rondon.
Frank Lampard watched his side squander the lead on two separate occasions in the match after they had gone 1-0, and then 2-1, up. He was ultimately left disappointed as his side failed at their first attempt to confirm their top-flight safety.
They have another opportunity on Thursday evening when they host Crystal Palace at Goodison Park where victory would ensure that they cannot be caught by Burnley or Leeds United. Although, another defeat would see them involved in the final-day battle where they have the toughest fixture, away at Arsenal.
Read more: What Leeds United need to happen to ensure Premier League survival following Brighton draw
Everton’s 3-2 defeat at Goodison Park brought an end to a relatively productive weekend for Leeds as they were the only side still in relegation contention to pick up any points. An extra two points against Brighton would have handed them a huge advantage but one is much better than zero.
It seemed, after their wins against Chelsea and Leicester, that Everton had done just about enough to shake off Leeds and Burnley but now Lampard turns his attention to the next seven days. While Rondon’s red card rules him out for the rest of the season, and the first game of next, Branthwaite will only miss the Crystal Palace clash on Thursday.
Although, considering he was brought into the starting XI to plug the gaps in the heart of the defence, it gives Lampard a real headache – as well an extra problem to deal with - ahead of Thursday evening. From a Leeds or Burnley perspective, the match couldn’t have panned out much better and they will be confident of picking up more points than Everton in the games that remain.
With Arsenal still in a battle for a top-four place, Lampard will be desperate that his side are able to get the job done before travelling to the Emirates on Sunday. Leeds supporters will be equally hopeful that the Toffees are beaten again on Thursday by Crystal Palace while they will hold the same hope for a Burnley defeat at Villa Park.
Both of the Whites’ relegation rivals will have to dust themselves down and go again on Sunday, just three days after their midweek matches. If they are unable to beat their respective opponents on Thursday then Whites supporters will feel as though they possess an advantage heading into a huge final day of the Premier League season.
