Igor Thiago produced a stunning hat-trick as Brentford ran out 4-2 winners against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, securing just their third Premier League away victory of the season.
Everton had impressed defensively in their previous win over Nottingham Forest, but on this occasion, they were helpless against a relentless Brentford side led by Thiago.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Thiago, who had earlier cleared off his own goal line, reacted swiftly to finish from Vitaly Janelt’s cross after intercepting a careless pass from James Tarkowski.
Despite chances for both Thiago and Kevin Schade to extend Brentford’s lead before halftime, including a near own goal from Nathan Collins, the score remained 1-0 at the interval.
Everton’s half-time attacking tweaks backfired, leaving them vulnerable at the back. Brentford struck twice in quick succession, Collins nodded home from a corner in the 50th minute, and Thiago immediately made it 3-0.
Beto then pulled one back for the Toffees, but Thiago completed his hat-trick on a fast break, leaving Everton unable to respond.
Thierno Barry scored a late goal in stoppage time to make it 4-2, but Brentford had already sealed a commanding victory.
Statistical Spotlight: Thiago’s Brilliance
Everton registered 14 shots to Brentford’s 11, yet the quality of chances told a different story. Thiago was a constant threat, responsible for 1.72 of Brentford’s 2.4 expected goals, while Everton managed just 0.85 xG.
This hat-trick ends Thiago’s goal drought from December and moves him to 14 Premier League goals this season, second only to Erling Haaland. He also becomes Brentford’s third player to score a hat-trick in the league, joining Ivan Toney and Schade, who have each done it twice.
Janelt was key in Brentford’s attacking display, providing two assists to take his season tally to three—the most of any Brentford player. For Everton, Grealish assisted both goals, marking his sixth Premier League assist of the season after a long drought since August.
