Everton defeated Brentford 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, thanks to a goal by Idrissa Gueye at the hour mark, which guaranteed the team’s escape from relegation.

With three games remaining after losing 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the day, 18th-place Luton Town is 11 points clear of 15th-place Everton with three games remaining.

With Luton’s defeat, Brentford, whose continued existence was also assured, dropped to 16th place with 35 points.

Read Also:Sheffield United relegated after heavy defeat against Newcastle United

When Jack Harrison’s cross from the right reached Jarrad Branthwaite close to the six-yard line, Nathan Collins dispossessed him, and the hosts broke the tie.

However, the ball rolled in Gueye’s direction, and he raced up and finished with his right foot without error.

Youssef Chermiti nearly met Ben Godfrey’s cross from inside the box in front of goal for Everton in the sixth minute, but the Portuguese attacker missed the finish by inches.

When Vitaly Janelt found Mathias Jensen just outside the six-yard box in the 19th minute, Brentford also had a chance, but Branthwaite’s diving block prevented it.

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton had the finest chance of the half when he had space inside the box to finish Chermiti’s pass, but he swung it wide right before the interval.

When Dwight McNeil’s excellent left-footed shot from outside the box struck the crossbar, Everton was denied by the woodwork.

However, when Gueye scored minutes later, Goodison Park spectators exhaled in unison. In the 76th minute, keeper Jordan Pickford stopped Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot from within the area, and the home team hung on to secure three points through the suspenseful closing minutes.

The day before Brentford hosts Fulham, on Friday, Everton travels to Luton.