Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted he knew what kind of challenge to expect against Everton but felt that his side showed the same shortcomings as other visitors to Goodison Park since Sean Dyche took over.
Dwight McNeil’s first-minute goal gave the Blues a precious 1-0 win but after an impressive first 45 minutes, they were left clinging on after the break to secure a result that inflicted a first defeat on their opponents in 13 Premier League matches.
Frank said: “I thought it was a game of two halves. I thought Everton were better than us in the first half but we were better than Everton in the second half and it was probably a game that should have ended in a draw.
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“If you look at the chances for both sides, Everton were very good in the first half, were very physical and we lost the physical battle. The duels, second balls, set-pieces, that was not good enough.
“On the ball we were not that good either in the quality and decision-making or the right positions to put a few passes together. In the second half I thought we were the complete opposite, winning much more duels and we nailed the positions with much more quality on the ball and created a lot of chances that could have easily given us a well-deserved draw.
“If we’d have scored, you never know what could happen and momentum can change with the pressure and it could have swung our way, but it didn’t so congratulations to Everton.”
The Dane added: “I’ve seen the three home games they have played (under Sean Dyche) against Arsenal, Leeds United and Aston Villa, and Arsenal, Leeds United and Aston Villa lost the physical duels. Everton were on top of the game in all three games in the first half so it didn’t surprise us and we gave the message to the players about it and were prepared for it, but it probably didn’t help us that we gave them a goal after 35 seconds even though it was well-finished by Dwight McNeil.”
With a trip to St Mary’s next up before a home game against Leicester City next Saturday, Evertonians will be hoping that the Bees return to form soon as they now have the opportunity to do them a couple of favours. And Frank maintains that despite being well-placed in the table, they don’t lack the desire of relegation-threatened opponents.
He said: “I don’t know how many teams over the last five years have gone 12 games unbeaten who are not Manchester City or Liverpool so it’s an unbelievable achievement but it’s the past and that’s football and it’s only for the history books and I said that in the dressing room to make sure we are so determined and willing to bounce back on Wednesday (at Southampton) and start another run.
“They are so well-driven and motivated and, excuse my language ‘p*****’, that we lost and their unbeaten run is done. I don’t need any motivational talks or speeches for the players.”
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