Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi and his Everton side missed the opportunity to secure their Premier League status on Sunday with a disappointing defeat to Brentford.
Everton threw away the lead twice and had two players sent off as they crumbled to a 3-2 defeat at home to Brentford at the Goodison Park.
The Frank Lampard-led side would now need to secure maximum points in their last two league matches as their three-match unbeaten run that started with Chelsea got snapped by Brentford.
Alex Iwobi labours but Everton fall to Brentford
Iwobi started in his new right wing-back position again, slotting in in a four-man midfield alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure, Andre Gomes, and Vitaliy Mykolenko.
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The Super Eagles star had a hard time tracking the relentless running of the Brentford side, getting dribbled past twice and winning only one (1) of the six (6) duels he was involved in.
However, Iwobi was active in the attacking phases, recording an impressive 90.2% pass completion rate, successfully delivering three (3) of five (5) long balls and completing one (1) of two (2) crosses.
In his defensive duties, the Nigerian international tallied two (2) clearances, two (2) interceptions and one (1) blocked shot as he tried to keep Brentford at bay.
Everton back in relegation scrap with Leeds United, Burnley
Having gone ahead twice through Dominic Calvert-Lewin (10') and Richarlison (P, 45+'), Everton let Brentford back into the game courtesy of goals from Seamus Coleman (OG, 37'), Yoane Wissa (62'), and Rico Henry (64').
The Toffees complicated issues for themselves when Jarrad Branthwaithe was sent off in the 18th minute for committing a last-man foul.
Salomon Rondon also got his marching orders just four minutes after coming on as an 84th-minute substitute.
Everton now have 36 points from 36 league matches with their next fixture against Crystal Palace and their final league game against a Champions League-chasing Arsenal side.
Leeds United in 17th with 35 points from 37 matches and Burnley in 18th place with 34 points from 36 matches are all still involved in the relegation scrap.