Everton clinched their third consecutive Premier League victory, edging past Brentford 1-0 at Goodison Park in their latest fixture. Idrissa Gueye’s goal, his second in three games, secured another season of top-flight status under Sean Dyche’s management, adding to the recent wins against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
Despite sitting 15th in the table, Everton’s position is secure, with an 11-point cushion above the relegation zone with three matches remaining in the 2023/24 season.
Reflecting on the club’s eight-point deduction for breaching PSR rules, Everton would have been in the 13th position without the penalty, just five points adrift of eighth-placed West Ham United.
James Garner, who featured prominently in two of Everton’s recent victories, showcased his abilities against Brentford. Operating alongside Gueye in midfield, Garner’s performance was noteworthy, highlighted by his impressive passing accuracy of 92% and successful completion of all attempted dribbles.
Additionally, he contributed defensively by winning 50% of his duels and executing a successful tackle. Garner came agonizingly close to scoring with a superb free-kick that struck the crossbar.
Given his recent performances, Garner deserves to be a regular starter under Dyche. Having started in 31 Premier League games this season, he boasts one of the highest average match ratings in the Everton squad and ranks second for chances created, despite playing in a deeper role than Abdoulaye Doucoure. Garner’s defensive contributions, including an average of 1.5 interceptions per game, demonstrate his value to the team.
His dynamic playing style, characterized by tenacity and relentless energy, suits Dyche’s high-pressure system. Despite competition from midfielders like Andre Gomes and Amadou Onana, Garner’s £9m acquisition nearly two years ago has proven to be a shrewd investment. At just 23 years old, he has the potential to become a key figure in Everton’s resurgence and could yield substantial profits for the club in the future.
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