Everton's Premier League safety hopes were given a serious blow on Sunday after Brentford came from behind to inflict a damaging 3-2 defeat on the Blues.
A win for Frank Lampard's side would have confirmed another season in top flight football but despite twice taking the lead through Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, the first half sending off of Jarrad Branthwaite was too much of a burden to carry with the Bees scoring twice in quick succession to change the outcome of the game in the second half.
And things got even worse for Everton when Salomon Rondon was also sent off late in the game meaning both the Venezuelan and Branthwaite will be suspended for the final two matches of the season.
READ MORE: Everton player ratings as Salomon Rondon shocking and six more poor against Brentford
READ MORE: Everton hit by worst decision this season as pathetic VAR flaw exposed
So what do Everton need to do now to survive? Crucially, the matter is in the Blues own hands and two points is enough to maintain Premier League status.
A win against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Thursday evening and the Blues are safe. Any other result will see their fate determined on the final day.
Two draws would be enough to do the trick, but after Leeds picked up a vital point against Brighton on Sunday, they are breathing down the Toffees' necks.
Should Lampard's team only gather one point from their remaining two games against Palace and Arsenal, Leeds can leapfrog them with a win in their final match against Brentford.
And Burnley can then finish above the Blues on goal difference with a win in either of their remaining two matches against Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
If Everton lose both of their remaining games they will be relying on Leeds and Burnley to fall short in their attempts to catch them. It could turn out that the Blues do not need another point this season to survive in the Premier League, but relying on the shortcomings of others would be a nightmare scenario for Lampard who will be more than just hoping that his side can keep their destiny in the own hands at the finale of this never-wrecking season.
