Everton Premier League survival route clear after Luton result as new threat emerges

Everton’s survival ambitions were handed a boost as Brentford thrashed relegation rivals Luton Town.

Thomas Frank’s side all but sealed their own survival as they inflicted the heaviest home defeat on the Hatters this season, running out 5-1 winners at Kenilworth Road.

The result meant Luton missed an opportunity to leapfrog Everton and Nottingham Forest and heap pressure on both teams ahead of their clash on Sunday afternoon. Instead, both sides now know a win at Goodison Park would take them a long way towards Premier League survival.

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Luton remain comfortably in touch of the Blues and Forest, the two sides just above them. Their latest hammering, in a game they would have targeted for a positive result, would have struck a blow to their confidence and further damaged their goal difference, however.

For Everton, it leaves the club two points clear of Luton with two games in hand and a far superior goal difference - though Sean Dyche is still to take his side to Bedfordshire. While Luton’s hopes took a dent, Burnley saw off Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to keep their survival ambitions alive. Burnley won 4-1 to move three points from Forest. They are four points behind Everton, who have two games in hand and a better goal difference. Separately, both Everton and Forest are appealing points deductions.

Following Saturday’s results, here are the remaining games for the teams still in the fight.

Everton, 32 games, 27 points

Nottingham Forest (H)

Liverpool (H)

Brentford (H)

Luton (A)

Sheffield United (H)

Arsenal (A)