Everton understandably has forged many success stories from yesterday’s impressive away victory over West Ham United, given the respective start to the seasons of both sides.
Whilst the visitors were floundering in their first few games, David Moyes’ men were flying, and it was expected that they would maintain their superiority in front of a packed-out London Stadium.
However, it swiftly turned into a turgid afternoon for the hosts, who never really got going.
Admittedly, neither did the Toffees, but a solid backline and moment of magic from Dominic Calvert-Lewin proved to be the difference.
From the former, an outstanding ace continues his rise to prominence, as Jarrad Branthwaite posted yet another commanding display in central defence, thumping every threat clear and remaining calm in possession.
As such, the 21-year-old titan has been gaining widespread praise, with BBC Pundit Garth Crooks even comparing the youngster to a former captain of the club in his Team of the Week segment: ‘What a wonderful way for Everton to doff their cap to their former chairman Bill Kenwright with a very professional away performance at West Ham.
‘Everton defended brilliantly and deserved the points but the star of the show was their defender Jarrad Branthwaite. This 21-year-old Englishman looks as though he’s come straight off the Everton no-nonsense production line. He may not be a Kevin Ratcliffe but he might be a Mick Lyons.’
How good has Jarrad Branthwaite been this season?
Yesterday was far from the first impressive performance from Branthwaite, who has been starring all campaign now since earning his spot beside James Tarkowski.
After all, his defensive figures in the Premier League have been nothing short of exemplary, with his five clearances per game making him the seventh-best within that category in the entire division, and his further 8.1 ball recoveries per game another astounding figure, via Sofascore.
And yet, even with his blistering and unrelenting form persisting, to earn comparisons to someone as revered as Lyons should mark a career-high for the young centre-back thus far.
The 71-year-old spent 11 impressive years at Goodison Park during the late 70s and early 80s, and was quoted as claiming he would ‘run through a brick wall’ for the club, having earned his way into the first-team as a boyhood fan.
It seems that Dyche and the fanbase truly have their reincarnation of a tough-tackling, no-nonsense colossus to emerge through the youth ranks, who once again seems wholly committed to the cause. His new long-term deal only emphasises that.
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