David Moyes blames “shabby defending” for his side’s 4-2 loss to Brentford at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Blues began the game on a positive note with Igor Thiago clearing James Tarkowski’s header from the goal line, but it took just 11 minutes for Brentford’s number nine to lay down the marker. He finished from close range after Vitaliy Janelt capitalised on a poor pass from Tarkowski.
“I thought we started well. The first 10 minutes we started the game well and I don't know exactly when they scored,” Moyes said after the game.
“The keeper made a couple of good saves but we gave away a terrible goal and then I think the rest of the half we were chasing it. We never really got to grips with it after that. I think we had a chance just before half-time, which we maybe could have equalised with.
“So we hadn't played well enough, but we got in 1-0 down, which gave us an opportunity in the second half to try and come out and be better. But it was unlike us, really.
“The first goal and obviously the other goals as well were unlike us completely. So it never really gave us a chance of winning. It was just poor defensively, really.”
Nathan Collins, left unmarked during a corner-kick, headed home to double the visitors’ lead while Thiago made it 3-0 from an efficient counter shortly after the break. While there was a glimmer of hope after Beto pulled one back with a fantastic header, it was quickly dashed when Thiago completed his hattrick two minutes before the end of regulation time.
Thierno Barry scored his third goal for Everton from Jack Grealish’s cross in injury time, but it proved little more than consolation.
“We don’t concede four goals too often, and I thought we conceded them in a really, really shabby manner today,” the Everton boss added.
“If you think how well they defended in midweek [in the 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest] compared to today, it just didn't stack up.
“But obviously, we've tried to win the game at home. We were a bit more open. We were trying to make things work and happen. And I thought they punished us.”
Reader Comments (10)
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2 Posted 05/01/2026 at 11:17:39
What frequency of this occurrence is acceptable? Apparently twice in 5 home games.
3 Posted 05/01/2026 at 13:08:00
Watching the game again today, Rohl was dreadful when he came on. Gave a goal away and looked like a non-league player. The only decent buy in summer was Dewsbury-Hall.
4 Posted 05/01/2026 at 14:05:09
They must be wondering at the complexity of not changing anything, moving O'Brien central with Patterson or Garner at right-back with the outside chance of Rohl or Coleman.
But then should we try a gung-ho midfield or just sit back to put more numbers in defence and adapt training to hit long balls (rather aptly named) to a lone forward or a wide Grealish?
5 Posted 05/01/2026 at 14:06:45
Completely down to Moyes.
6 Posted 05/01/2026 at 15:05:16
7 Posted 05/01/2026 at 15:53:55
I too would have been happier if Patterson was full back and O'Brien played instead of Keane.Moyes is always loyal to some players he rates though, his selections for the Wolves game will be interesting.
8 Posted 05/01/2026 at 16:19:38
It does stack up if you take into account that Forest just pummel directionless crosses into the box for 90 minutes whereas Brentford run with the ball, exploit space left by our slow defenders, and put pressure on people who are prone to make mistakes. We saw that occur in the United game with the Gana/Keane screw up but somehow on that occasion we suddenly improved.
Everyone seems to have certain defenders they absolve of responsibility and others who can do nothing right. But in truth they all have very obvious failings and some positive attributes. But we haven't had halfway decent fullbacks in years and that is the bigger issue than the CB situation.
10 Posted 05/01/2026 at 18:45:27
11 Posted 05/01/2026 at 21:23:04
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1 Posted 05/01/2026 at 11:09:16