Jarrad Branthwaite makes sure Gareth Southgate cannot ignore him after stormer in Everton v Chelsea
Jarrad Branthwaite could hardly have handpicked a better time to put in a storming performance as Everton defeated Chelsea 2-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday (10 December).
Goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Lewis Dobbin helped the Toffees to a third straight Premier League win and put a four-point buffer to the relegation zone despite their controversial 10-point deduction for a breach of profit and sustainability rules.
But it was arguably defensively where Sean Dyche’s men won the game and crucial to that success was the storming performance of centre-back Branthwaite.
EFC Statto posted on X to reveal Branthwaite’s stats, which showed he won six ground duels, made five recoveries, put in four successful tackles, three interceptions and three clearances, as well as winning two fouls to alleviate the pressure on the Everton goal.
He also made 10 successful forward passes, showing his willingness to get Everton on the front foot.
Put simply it was an outstanding defensive performance and it came in front of England boss Gareth Southgate, who took a watching brief in the stands.
It is hard to know if the Three Lions boss was at Goodison Park to watch Branthwaite but, put simply, he can not ignore the 21-year-old after such a brilliant display in what has been an excellent campaign for the young defender.
Last month, Branthwaite was labelled as “outstanding” (Liverpool Echo, 23 November) by Under-21 boss Lee Carsley but the former Everton midfielder might have to get used to picking squads without him.
Because surely after this performance it is time for Southgate to bring Branthwaite into the senior fold and if he carries on like this he should be on the plane to Germany for Euro 2024.
In other Everton news, there was one incident in the game that would have angered Southgate.