Everton were frustrated by 10 man Brentford on a cold and rainy afternoon at Goodison Park, both sides settled for the point but it will be one that the visiting supporters will be most happiest with.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw two good efforts saved by Mark Flekken in the first half, one of which being a really nice flick from Idrissa Gana Gueye's volley which forced a great save out of the Brentford goalkeeper.
Yoane Wissa went close for the Bees as Mikkel Dammsgaard's pass released him in behind the Everton defence except Jordan Pickford came to the Toffees rescue with a fantastic save.
On the verge of halftime, VAR sent Chris Kavanagh to the screen and Christian Norgaard saw red for a late, high challenge on Pickford - reducing the visitors to 10 men.
However Everton, despite having 14 shots and 72% possession in the second half, could not make the most of the man advantage as they struggled to really lay a glove on Brentford.
Substitute Beto went closest for the Toffees when he headed Ashley Young's cross way over the bar, and that really summed up Everton's day.
Brentford held on for the point, not that the Toffees really threatened them that much, meaning that it was back to back 0-0s for Everton and their third game without scoring.
Here are your Everton post-match player ratings:
Everton (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford - 7
England's number one did not really have much to do but when he was called into action he made sure that he did his job. He pulled off a fine save to prevent Wissa from scoring mid way through the first half when the Brentford man went racing in one-on-one. Pickford was also equal to a Keane Lewis-Potter shot in the second half, but bar them two chances he had barely anything to do.
Ashley Young - 5
Young starts a trend of what you will likely read about most players in this game - he was just so painfully average. Much like Pickford, he did not have much to do defensively throughout the game, especially after the red card, and was just okay going forward. It was a performance which just showed how desperately Everton need better full backs if they are to progress.
James Tarkowski - 6
Again, he was just okay. Did not really put a foot wrong but did not put in an amazing performance either. Kept a clean sheet and he won most of his duels, keeping Brentford at bay. The Everton captain looks so much better with Jarrad Branthwaite by his side. An overall solid display from Tarkowski.
Everton have looked so much more assured at the back with Branthwaite's return as shown by the back to back clean sheets in his two appearances back. But Branthwaite did not really have lots to do in this game, like Tarkowski; he was just okay. Progressed the ball well at times and was just solid at the back.
As is the same story for all of the defence, Mykolenko was solid defensively as there was not much that needed taking care of. However, the Ukranian's inability to get forward is hurting Everton greatly and outlines the Toffees desperate need for new full backs. Mykolenko's lack of attacking quality leaves whoever is on his wing very isolated which, in turn, leaves Everton more predictable as they will look to focus their attacks down the right.
Gueye put in a very good performance against Brentford, not really placing a foot wrong. One of Everton's most consistent performers, he did his job well - winning the ball back and even progressing it up the pitch superbly. The 35-year-old was definitely the Toffees best outfield player.
Doucoure just did absolutely nothing on Saturday afternoon, he was a complete passenger in and out of possession. It really begs the question how he keeps Orel Mangala out of this team as the Belgian just seems to offer so much more than Doucoure.
Jesper Lindstrom - 6
The Dane looked good in spells against Brentford and seemed lively whenever he got on the ball. Appeared to constantly want to make things happen and played some very good passes and crosses to teammates. A promising display from a man who is looking sharper with every appearance.
Dwight McNeil - 5
McNeil was okay, but it was a definite drop off from some of his recent performances. Whilst he was at the heart of most of Everton's moves, he lacked the quality to really open the 10 men of Brentford up. When the Toffees really needed him at his creative best, he could not deliver. His overreliance on his left foot also showed yet again as he spooned a good chance wide with his weaker right foot.
Iliman Ndiaye - 7
Most of Everton's promising attacks flowed through Ndiaye as he yet again showed why the Toffees faithful adore him so much. Found himself isolated out on the left with little help from his fullback but still managed to have a great influence on the match, it was just a shame that he could not translate his performance into any goal contributions.
Calvert-Lewin was much better than he has been recently to be fair to him. The Englishman forced a fine save out of Flekken early on with a nice flick from Gueye's volleyed effort. He was had a chance where he was found in behind but the angle did not favour him so Flekken was able to divert his shot behind. Everton struggled to fashion him many chances after Norgaard was sent off, and Dyche's change to a 4-4-2, which has proved it is ineffective on numerous occasions, meant he struggled to have any say on the game. But, he was okay.
Substitutes
Beto - 5
Subbed on to play alongside Calvert-Lewin upfront - despite the fact that they do not compliment each other at all in a front two - Beto struggled to punish the Brentford defence. He should have done better with his headed effort in the second half from an Ashley Young cross, but it was not to be for Beto.
Orel Mangala - 6
Came on for a very poor Doucoure and Everton's midfield instantly looked better. Mangala kept play ticking quite well and added some much needed control.
