IDRISSA GANA GUEYE’S second goal in three games gave Everton their fourth home win in a row.

The run of wins sees them move 11 points clear of the relegation zone and safely maintain their Premier League status for next year.

After a difficult season, Everton have ended on a high at Goodison Park ahead of a final home game of 23/24 against Sheffield United in a couple of weeks.

On top of this latest victory against Brentford, fans here have seen wins against Burnley, Nottingham Forest and most notably Liverpool this month.

This was Everton’s third home game in seven days and the procession of victories has improved the mood around the place following a season of struggle on and off the pitch.

There were chances for both sides as Everton claimed their latest three-point haul, but the home side deserved the win.

Abdoulaye Doucoure sent a shot wide just before half-time following a nice flick from Youssef Chermiti.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto both out injured, Chermiti, the 19-year-old Portuguese striker, was making his first Premier League start since joining the club last summer.

He performed admirably, holding the ball up well and causing enough problems for Brentford’s central defenders to keep them occupied.

At the beginning of the second half, Brentford striker Ivan Toney produced a great save from Jordan Pickford after getting on the end of Mathias Jensen’s pass ahead of Ben Godfrey.

The Everton right-back gave his goalkeeper a pat on the back for what was a great stop from close range.

Dwight McNeil rattled the bar at the Gwladys Street end with an effort from outside the area, and you sensed a goal was coming.

There was momentum in Everton’s play, and it eventually told when Gana Gueye was on hand to fire a loose ball into the net.

It came about after Jack Harrison’s cross was half cleared, with Jarrad Branthwaite causing problems in the Brentford area. The Senegalese finished the job emphatically.

Everton ended the game with central defender Michael Keane up front after he replaced Chermiti who had given everything.

It summed up the scale of Sean Dyche’s task as Everton manager this season, and how big an achievement Premier League survival is.