By Joe Ellis

19th Sep, 2022 | 5:40pm

Everton loanee Jarrad Branthwaite hailed after goal in PSV derby win v Feyenoord

Frank Lampard’s Everton weren’t the only team tasting success on Sunday as one of their loanees also helped his side to victory.

20-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite started for PSV Eindhoven against Feyenoord in what is considered the smallest ‘Klassiekier derby’ on the Eredivisie.

Not only did he lead Ruud van Nistelrooy’s defence but he also got the equalising goal for PSV in an enthralling 4-3 win at the Phillips Arena to put PSV top of the league ahead of Ajax.

Former PSV player Aad De Mos was starry-eyed at the Everton loanee’s performance in such a big game and now insists that he can’t be dropped ever again during his season-long spell in the Netherlands.

“It must never be taken out of the base again,” he said to Eindhovens Dagblad. “He is very strong positionally. He can ensure that confidence returns to the PSV defence.”

Recall

If there is a possibility that he can be recalled in January, it would be worth Lampard taking a very good look at doing so because Branthwaite is coming on leaps and bounds in the Eredivisie.

James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, meanwhile, have very quickly developed into an extremely strong defensive duo which has seen the Toffees only let in seven goals this season, very nearly the best record in the division.

It would be difficult to see either of those dropped in favour of the 20-year-old but the chances of both staying fit for the entire season is not high at all and the cover is needed on Merseyside.

Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina are both on the injury table more than the pitch these days and Mason Holgate is not at a Premier League level anymore.

Branthwaite could be the third centre-half Lampard needs and standing at six-foot-five, he is more than tall enough to be a serious danger from set-pieces at both ends of the pitch.