Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite made to look like ‘roadkill’ by Erling Haaland at Manchester City – Martin Samuel
Manchester City saw Everton players as “roadkill” thanks to design of their away kit at the Etihad, according to Martin Samuel.
The Times writer mocked the red with navy stripes in his 13 February column for the paper’s website where he referred to Jarrad Branthwaite getting knocked over by Erling Haaland on the way to the Norwegian’s second goal.
The striker scored both as the treble-winners went on to secure a 2-0 victory, and Samuel claimed that giving the appearance of tire tracks on the shirts summed up the outcome.
Samuel wrote: “It was unfortunate for Everton’s rising star Jarrad Branthwaite that he came up against Erling Haaland in such robust form at the weekend.
“Branthwaite tried to challenge but as good as bounced off, lost his footing and was left in the dirt as Haaland scorched away to score.
“Then again, if Everton insist on sending out players in shirts that make it look as if they have been marked by tyre tracks, no wonder opponents see them as roadkill.”
Branthwaite ends up as Haaland ‘roadkill’ in Everton defeat
Samuel may have his gripes with the away kit but of course it wasn’t the cause of the result in Manchester, which only came about after three quarters of the game were passed.
Branthwaite has covered himself in a lot more glory than most since returning to Goodison Park from his loan at PSV last season, and is widely coveted within the Premier League, but he came off second best against Haaland on this occasion like so many before him.
After the young defender had netted the 94th minute equaliser against Tottenham in the previous game it was probably not the trip he or his manager would have wanted next up to build some momentum.
Defensively the performance wasn’t bad and came within touching distance of paying off, but the hugely valuable City squad triumphed.
The upcoming Monday Night Football encounter with Crystal Palace on 19 February will likely be viewed as far more important given it looks very winnable.
Jamie Carragher has suggested that the verdict from the points deduction hearing is being deliberately held back until after that game due to fear of the reaction.
Palace are the only side Everton have beaten since the start of 2024, with an Andre Gomes goal being the difference in the 17 January FA Cup tie, and a repeat scoreline next week would be very welcome.
In other Everton news, Ally McCoist reacted live on talkSPORT to a “really, really sad” situation as a Toffees player was tipped to for an exit.
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