In-Form Everton Look to Keep Momentum Going Against Brentford

Everton host Brentford, with David Moyes looking to maintain positive form whilst managing the threatening injury situation occurring behind the scenes.

The Toffees had to dig deep last Tuesday, coming out 2-0 winners over Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest. Though a weakened lineup was laid, individual standout performances aided Everton’s win at the City Ground, capping off the 2025 calendar year in such an incredible manner.

During the clash, the Everton backline – Pickford, Mykolenko, O’Brien, Tarkowski, and Patterson – dealt with 52 crosses into the box. To deal with such high volumes of pressure consistently means the Toffees’ defensive group were deserving of their praises, both online and in the gaffer’s post-match interview with the media, stating that “We defended well and took our moments when we got them.”

The Player of the Match, however, was given to James Garner. Since Moyes’ appointment, the Englishman has developed exceptionally and is now a guaranteed name on the teamsheet every week. After the outstanding performance, the defensive midfielder spoke to the media, explaining, “I think [playing as a senior midfielder] comes quite naturally, to be fair. I’ve been captain pretty much every single place I’ve been at; coming through the youth teams, it’s about stepping up for your team.”

Garner scored the opening goal on the night, provided the assist for Thierno Barry’s second goal for the club, and won 89% of the individual duels met with.

It’s another huge occasion at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Brentford sitting just one place below the Toffees, in 10th, with the space between the clubs just one point, meaning Moyes will hopefully have a fitter squad in comparison to the trip to the City Ground.

On Friday, the Scotsman gave various injury updates. Jack Grealish is expected to play a part in the fixture; after falling ill over the Christmas period, Michael Keane “has got a chance” of playing, and Harrison Armstrong was recalled from Preston North End as Everton attempt to navigate out of the current situation. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Seamus Coleman remain out, whilst the Senegalese duo Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye remain at AFCON.

Brentford have recently struck a run of good form, unbeaten since the 6th of December. The most recent result came at Gtech Community Stadium, with a goalless draw against Spurs meaning Thomas Frank was not able to get one over on his former club. The Danish manager spent 7 years at the Bees, achieving promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and establishing Brentford as a first-division club ever since.

Following Frank’s departure from Brentford and arrival at Spurs in June 2025, the club’s set-piece coach, Keith Andrews, took over the role as manager on a three-year deal. Although eyebrows were initially raised, it is clear to see that perhaps the hierarchy at the club made the correct decision in the appointment. Andrews has kept quiet about the end-of-season goals, but from recent performances, there is no reason why Brentford can’t battle within the European football ranks.

As expected, Andrews has provided an injury update for the squad, with the Irish manager revealing that “there are a few little knocks as you’d expect.” Sepp van den Berg will be back to feature after recently returning to the matchday squad against Spurs. Mathias Jensen was struck down with illness and was not deemed well enough to start last time out. Josh Dasilva is out with a knee-ligament injury, whilst Carvalho and Milambo are out for the remainder of the season with ACL injuries. Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara are representing their nations at AFCON.

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Matchweek 20:

Saturday 3rd January:

Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest

Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 Burnley

Wolves 3-0 West Ham

Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal

Sunday 4th January:

Leeds 12:30 Manchester United

Everton 15:00 Brentford

Fulham 15:00 Liverpool

Newcastle United 15:00 Crystal Palace

Spurs 15:00 Sunderland

Man City 17:30 Chelsea

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Thank you for reading my pre-match article!