Dwight McNeil and Nathan Patterson hail ‘fantastic’ Everton player after Liverpool win

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Everton were, to a man, outstanding last night.

Everybody pulled their weight, and whilst some stars naturally shone brighter than others, every player deserves their flowers for playing their part in an outstanding performance and a historic result at Goodison Park.

Brushing aside Liverpool by a relatively comfortable 2-0 scoreline, the visitors were not without their chances, but the profligacy that has plagued the Toffees all campaign seemed to transfer to their Merseyside rivals on the night, who failed to score despite amassing 2.08 expected goals.

However, their task was not made any easier by the resolute defensive showing, with Jarrad Branthwaite impressing at the heart of it.

Nathan Patterson and Dwight McNeil praise Jarrad Branthwaite

The titanic central defender simply enjoyed another classic day at the office last night, with business as usual as he silenced another opposition attack.

However, this one felt that little bit more special because of the quality of Liverpool, the gravity of the game, and the fact that he also fired home Everton’s opener too.

He was imperious alongside James Tarkowski as the Toffees emphatically marched their way to an 11th Premier League clean sheet, of which only league-leaders Arsenal have more.

And unsurprisingly, many of his fellow players have rushed to laud Branthwaite.

Dwight McNeil was one such star, who enjoyed a fine showing of his own, as he wrote on Instagram: ‘What a player!’

Nathan Patterson would follow that up with a comment of his own: ‘Davvvvyyy fantastic stuff’.

Will Everton have to sell Jarrad Branthwaite this summer?

All of this praise is somewhat offset by the quiet realisation that Everton may well have to sell Branthwaite this summer.

After all, despite the fact that they are seemingly cruising towards safety again, their financial position remains one of immense fragility.

Still heavily reliant on the loans of 777 Partners, who are seemingly no closer to cementing their takeover, a huge injection of cash will be needed this summer from somewhere.

And where else than by offloading their key asset, of whom bids of up to £100m are being expected from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

With an unending list of suitors, understandably so, last night’s showing will have only added to that price tag.

However, filling the vacancy that his departure would leave would be a thankless task that no amount of money could manage.

So, whether it’s Amadou Onana, Branthwaite, or someone else entirely, Sean Dyche will likely already know whether he will have to say goodbye to one of his stars this summer.