Brentford’s Igor Thiago might just be the league’s best striker not called Erling Haaland

Everton should be looking to emulate Brentford’s canny recruitment off the pitch. Thiago cost marginally more than Barry or Beto but has scored nine more league goals than the pair combined and organised yet effective on it.

The fact Kevin Schade opted for Brentford when there was interest from Everton two summers ago showed how low the club’s reputation had dropped in the wake of off-field financial problems and several relegation battles.

But even taking into account a threadbare squad, manager David Moyes is not getting value for money from a number of individuals while suffering a heavy defeat on a day when both his under-performing strikers scored.

Jack Grealish, on loan from Manchester City, provided both assists and would have had another in first-half added time had Caoimhin Kelleher not kept out Barry’s diving header, but with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall injured and Iliman Ndiaye at the Africa Cup of Nations the burden is all on him to carry the attacking threat.

The £40m spent on 19-year-old Tyler Dibling, making his third consecutive start, was a punt on potential when they need proven performers while James Tarkowski, whose mistake led to the opening goal before he was beaten to a corner for the second, is also looking less than reliable.

Everton’s two early chances saw Dwight McNeil denied by Kelleher and Thiago clear Tarkowski’s header off the line, but they then shot themselves in the foot.

Tarkowski’s pass to Tim Iroegbunam was weak and ill-advised as the midfielder was sandwiched between Schade and Vitaly Janelt, and the latter seized the ball and crossed for Thiago to cushion a low volley past Jordan Pickford.