đ Bees are Magical đ©âšin Merseyside!
Igor Thiago celebrates Brentfordâs dominant victory over Everton & takes home the match ball for his magnificent hat-trick. (Reuters)
Brentford continued their impressive unbeaten run this afternoon, silencing the Hill Dickinson stadium with a clinical 4-2 victory over Everton. Following a gritty stalemate against Spurs at the GTech, Keith Andrewsâ men traveled to Merseyside with intent, capitalizing on Evertonâs historic "new year" struggles. Led by a sensational hat-trick from Igor Thiago, the Bees survived moments of pressure and showcased the kind of ruthless counter-attacking football that has fans dreaming of a European charge.
The Takeaways from the match:
The Igor Thiago Era: With a stunning hat-trick, Thiago proved he is the definitive focal point of this attack. From a poacherâs finish to a sublime chip for his third, he was unplayable.
Janeltâs Creative Spark: Often praised for his grit, Vitaly Janelt was the architect today. Providing two crucial assists, including the "cross of perfection" for the opener, he ran the show from midfield.
Kelleherâs Heroics: While the scoreline says 4-2, it could have been much closer without CaoimhĂn Kelleher. His reaction savesâparticularly the one off Collins' accidental deflection just before halftimeâkept the momentum firmly in Brentford's favor.
Set-Piece Success: Seeing Nathan Collins bag a goal from a corner is a massive boost. After a period of set-piece frustration, the Bees finally exploited a disorganized Everton backline. Brentfordâs first goal from a corner this season.
đ„ Survival and Strike
The atmosphere at the new Hill Dickinson was electric, and Everton nearly sparked it into a frenzy in the 4th minute. A midfield giveaway led to a dangerous Everton break, forcing CaoimhĂn Kelleher into a spectacular diving save to his left. Just a minute later, Igor Thiago showed his defensive value, clearing a goal-bound effort off the line at the far post.
Having weathered the early storm, Brentford struck in the 11th minute. As the Toffees hesitated, expecting a whistle, Vitaly Janelt pounced on a loose ball. He drove forward and whipped in a magnificent cross that found Igor Thiago, who clinicaly slotted it home for the 1-0 lead. The Bees nearly doubled the advantage in the 20th minute when Michael Kayode and Mathias Jensen combined on the wing, but Mikkel Damsgaard couldn't keep his effort on target.
The half ended in a flurry of drama. Kristoffer Ajer required four minutes of treatment after a nasty clash of heads during a corner, and Kelleher was called upon again in stoppage time, making a reflex save after the ball ricocheted off Nathan Collins toward his own goal.
âThe Two-Minute Blitz
Whatever was said in the dressing room worked. Brentford emerged for the second half with ruthless intent. In the 50th minute, Janeltâs corner found an unmarked Nathan Collins, who headed home his first of the season.
Before the home fans could sit back down, it was 3-0. Right from the restart, Jensen beat his man with a silky nutmeg and found Kevin Schade. Schade held the ball up perfectly for the charging Igor Thiago, who fired past Pickford. While Everton pulled one back through Beto in the 66th minute to stir the "South Stand" crowd, the Bees remained composed.
đ© A Hat-Trick for the History Books
As Everton pushed bodies forward in search of a miracle, the Bees exploited the space. In the 88th minute, Collins turned provider, launching a massive long ball from his own half. Igor Thiago raced onto it, clear of the high defensive line, and delicately chipped an oncoming Pickford to secure his hat-trick (4-1 Brentford).
A late header by Thierno Barry in the 91st minute acted as a mere consolation for the hosts. As the final whistle blew, Thiago clutched the match ball, and the traveling Bees celebrated a result that sees them continue their climb up the Premier League table.
Final Result: Brentford 4 - 2 Everton
âïž Man of the Match: Igor Thiago
Looking Ahead: Sunderland (H)
The Bees return home to the GTech Community Stadium this Wednesday, January 7, to face Sunderland. Currently sitting just points apart in the top half of the table, this is a massive "six-pointer" for our European ambitions. If the team can carry this form back to West London, the Black Cats are in for a long evening.
