BBC pundit drools over ‘excellent’ Jarrad Branthwaite in Everton win v West Ham
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was “excellent” in his club’s victory against West Ham, according to BBC pundit James Collins.
The centre-back played the entire 90 minutes as the Toffees won the match at the London Stadium 1-0 on Sunday (29 October).
Branthwaite kept a clean sheet playing alongside James Tarkowski, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring the only goal of the game.
“I think he has been excellent,” Collins said on BBC Radio 5 Live, as quoted by BBC Sport. “What he has had to do he has done really well and really confidently.
“He has been one of Everton’s best players. I will give Calvert-Lewin some praise too as he has had to hold the ball up away from home and done really well.”
Super display
It was an impressive all-round display from Sean Dyche’s men, who really did work their socks off to a man at the London Stadium.
Calvert-Lewin was superb in the final third for the Toffees, holding the ball up expertly but also finding the back of the net when it mattered most.
And at the other end his young teammate Branthwaite was equally impressive, blocking and clearing everything that went his way.
The Hammers certainly made Everton work for the three points, constantly putting Branthwaite, Tarkowski and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford under pressure. But the Toffees defence stood firm, with Branthwaite particularly impressing for the Merseyside club.
The youngster has been linked with a Goodison Park exit recently, with Everton needing to sell either Branthwaite or Amadou Onana in the next year due to the club’s financial situation, according to The Athletic (24 October).
But Dyche should make sure such a scenario is avoided at all costs, particularly after the huge three points in East London.
In other Everton news, a talkSPORT pundit has slammed a Toffees loanee live on air after a “ridiculous” incident recently.