Recap

Thiago’s Hat-Trick Heroics Seal Brentford’s Thrilling 4-2 Triumph Over Everton

In a pulsating Premier League encounter at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Brentford delivered a statement performance with a 4-2 victory over Everton, powered by Igor Thiago’s magnificent hat-trick. The match, played on January 4, 2026, showcased Brentford’s clinical finishing and tactical discipline under Keith Andrews, as they capitalized on Everton’s defensive lapses to secure just their third away win of the season.

Early Dominance: Brentford Strike First on Merseyside

Everton entered the game buoyed by a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to close out 2025, aiming to build momentum at home. However, Brentford wasted little time asserting their authority. Just 11 minutes in, Vitaly Janelt delivered a precise cross from the right flank, which Thiago met with a first-time finish to open the scoring. The Brazilian forward, ending a six-match goal drought, slotted the ball calmly past Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, silencing the home crowd early.

The visitors’ canny recruitment shone through Thiago’s poise, having cost only marginally more than Everton’s strikers yet outscoring the likes of Beto and Thierno Barry by nine league goals combined this season. Everton, despite a bright opening, struggled to create clear chances, with David Moyes’ side appearing static at the back.

Brentford’s pressure continued to mount. Jack Grealish’s loose backheel on the touchline gifted possession back to the Bees, allowing Janelt to switch play and cross from the opposite side. This time, Kevin Schade was the beneficiary, turning home to double Brentford’s lead and further expose Everton’s vulnerabilities.

Second-Half Blitz: Collins and Thiago Put Game Beyond Doubt

The turning point arrived shortly after the restart, as Brentford unleashed two quickfire goals in as many minutes – a devastating sequence that ultimately decided the contest. In the 51st minute, Janelt swung in a corner, and Nathan Collins rose highest to head home, marking Brentford’s first Premier League goal from a corner at the 96th attempt. Everton’s defense stood motionless, allowing Collins a free header that gave the visitors a commanding 3-0 lead.

Seconds later, the game was effectively sealed. Schade played a clever through-ball to Thiago, who latched onto it and rifled his second goal past Pickford. Commentators noted the chaos in Everton’s rear guard, with Thiago perhaps fortunate not to have an even easier finish. At this stage, Brentford led 3-0, having outplayed the nine-time champions in their own backyard.

Keith Andrews’ side demonstrated organized yet effective play, with Janelt pivotal in both early strikes and the second-half surge. Everton fans grew increasingly frustrated, their team beaten and outmaneuvered by a Brentford outfit that has now closed to within four points of the top four.

Everton’s Response: Beto Sparks Brief Hope

To their credit, Everton refused to collapse entirely. Just past the hour mark, substitute Beto provided a glimmer of hope. Jack Grealish whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and the Portuguese forward rose to plant a deft header into the net, halving the deficit at 3-1. It was a moment of quality amid the Blues’ struggles, injecting life into the stadium and prompting a push for more.

Moyes’ men rallied momentarily, with Grealish influential on the ball. Thierno Barry later added to the scoreline in added time, nodding home to make it 4-2, but it was merely a consolation. Everton’s efforts came too late, as Brentford’s lead proved insurmountable despite the late flurry.

Thiago’s Masterclass: Hat-Trick Clincher in Dramatic Fashion

As Everton committed numbers forward in search of a comeback, Brentford thrived on the counter. In the closing stages, Thiago went clean through on goal, rounding Pickford to complete his hat-trick and make the final score 4-2. The strike was the perfect capstone to a man-of-the-match performance, with Thiago’s three goals – including that early opener, the quickfire second, and the late sealer – firing Brentford to a rampant away victory.

Thiago’s clinical finishing highlighted Brentford’s superior recruitment strategy. His nine league goals this season underscore why the Bees are emulated by bigger clubs, blending opportunism with ruthless execution.

Key Player Performances: Stars of the Show

• Igor Thiago (Brentford): The undisputed star, bagging a superb hat-trick on his first Premier League treble. His movement, finishing, and composure were flawless, ending his drought in style.
• Vitaly Janelt (Brentford): Architect of the victory with assists for the opener, Collins’ header, and Thiago’s second. His crossing and vision from midfield were outstanding.
• Nathan Collins (Brentford): Scored the crucial second-half goal and provided defensive solidity, helping Brentford to their third away win.
• Kevin Schade (Brentford): Netted the second goal and assisted Thiago’s brace, thriving on the counter.
• Beto (Everton): Substitute impact with a well-taken header; one bright spark in a tough afternoon.
• Jack Grealish (Everton): Created Beto’s goal but culpable for a turnover leading to Schade’s strike.
• Jordan Pickford (Everton): Made some saves but beaten four times, with defensive errors amplifying his workload.

Managerial Perspectives and Tactical Breakdown

Brentford boss Keith Andrews marked the club’s first visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium with an impressive win, praising his side’s quickfire second-half goals that took control after the break. His team’s organization and effectiveness on the counter were key, turning Everton’s pressure into profit.

David Moyes, meanwhile, faced criticism for Everton’s defensive frailties. The Toffees, sitting 8-4-8 with 28 points, conceded twice in two minutes early in the second half, paying the price for lapses at the back. Analysts noted Everton’s need to emulate Brentford’s canny off-pitch recruitment and on-pitch structure.

Tactically, Brentford exploited set-pieces and transitions masterfully. Janelt’s deliveries from corners and open play proved decisive, while Thiago’s positioning punished Everton’s high line. The Bees’ first corner goal in 96 league attempts added a historic footnote to their dominance.

Implications for the Premier League Table

This result propelled Brentford closer to the European spots, now within four points of the top four after a stylish away performance. Their third road win of the season highlights growing maturity under Andrews.

Everton, conversely, slipped further, their home form exposed. Despite the late goals from Beto and Barry, the defeat underscored deeper issues in defense and finishing, leaving Moyes with work to do ahead of a congested fixture list.

Standout Moments and Fan Reactions

Key highlights included Thiago’s 11th-minute opener, Schade’s opportunistic second, the Collins-Thiago one-two punch at 51 minutes, Beto’s header at 66′, Thiago’s hat-trick clincher, and Barry’s added-time consolation. Fan commentary post-match lambasted Everton’s backline, with phrases like \”what on earth are Everton doing at the back?\” echoing widespread dismay.

Brentford supporters celebrated wildly, their team having won emphatically on Merseyside. Highlights packages from NBC Sports and official channels captured the drama, with Thiago’s treble the talking point.

Overall, this 4-2 thriller encapsulated Premier League unpredictability: Brentford’s recruitment smarts and Thiago’s brilliance overwhelming Everton’s ambitions. As the season progresses, the Bees’ form signals bigger things, while Everton must regroup swiftly.