Michael Ball slams Martin Keown in new Jarrad Branthwaite verdict after Everton loss v Man City
Michael Ball has slammed Martin Keown for his criticism of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite after the Toffees defender was deemed at fault for both goals against Manchester City.
Sean Dyche’s side extended their winless run in the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat to the Premier League champions on Saturday (10 February) with Erling Haaland’s second-half brace the difference between the two sides.
Keown was quick to criticise Branthwaite for his part in both of the Norwegian’s goals, but BBC Sport pundit Ball has hit out at the former Everton defender, admitting he would have liked to see him try to stop Haaland.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo on Monday (12 February) he said: “Jarrad Branthwaite was the fall guy for both of Erling Haaland’s goals but you can’t point the finger of blame at him because the Manchester City striker has got the attributes to do that to everyone and has been punishing the best defenders in the world for several years now.
“It was Branthwaite’s attempted clearance that fell to Haaland for the first goal and he was left exposed against him for the second.
“I thought Martin Keown was being a bit negative about it though saying Branthwaite could have checked his other shoulder and he should have done this and that. I’d like to have seen him try it!
“Keown was saying ‘I would have been tighter’ but it’s a different game now, you can’t get tight. Branthwaite’s been here before, earlier in his Everton career when he was left a bit exposed, got caught out with his legs tangled and got sent off.
“That could have been a situation in his mind because if he’s not set then he goes and misses three games.”
Jarrad Branthwaite couldn’t do too much for Everton to stop Erling Haaland
It’s very easy for somebody in a studio to criticise Branthwaite for his decision-making on Saturday, with a variety of pundits voicing their opinions quickly after the full-time whistle. But in reality, it is almost impossible to stop Haaland.
Branthwaite is in his first full season of Premier League football and for the most part, the Everton centre-back has been one of the division’s most effective defenders with several incredibly assured performances.
For the majority of the game at the Etihad, Branthwaite stood firm and frustrated Haaland with one pundit dubbing his display “terrific” and the rest of City’s frontline, but the Norweigian just needs half a chance to score and he will always take it.
If Everton are to avoid relegation this season, they will need both Branthwaite and James Tarkowski to continue their magnificent form as they are two of the Toffees’ most important players.
In other Everton news, Rio Ferdinand has shared his verdict on the Toffees’ survival chances this season
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