Everton’s performance against Chelsea was near-faultless, and to a man, Sean Dyche will be so proud of the personal and collective displays of his team.
His work in transforming this Toffees side, from relegation favourites to a side that should have quiet aspirations of a European push, has been nothing short of sensational.
After all, under the tenures of Rafa Benitez or Frank Lampard, such a dream would have been shot down as foolish and impossible.
Well, the 52-year-old manager is making the far-fetched wholly viable, and were they to have avoided their ten-point deduction the Merseyside outfit would actually be just three points from seventh-placed Newcastle United.
Of the many stars who shone brightly yesterday afternoon, it marked yet another outstanding performance from Jarrad Branthwaite in particular.
The 21-year-old Englishman continues to defy the odds, much like his club, with the sky truly being the limit for his never-ending talents.
Journalist James Nalton would note the next goal he should be aiming for though, writing on X: ‘Jarrad Branthwaite probably the best English centre back in the Premier League at the moment. Gareth Southgate was in attendance at Goodison Park today.’
How good is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite?
After enjoying an exceptional loan spell in the Netherlands, in which Branthwaite enjoyed his first taste of consistent senior football at the top level, few could have expected him to then dominate the English top flight with such ease.
Alongside James Tarkowski, the two seem inseparable and impenetrable, even if the England U21 international will sadly miss the next game through suspension.
The foundation this partnership offers the rest of the team has been integral in their current run of form, which has seen Dyche‘s men win nine of their last 13 in all competitions, conceding just 11.
The former Carlisle United man’s 7.05 average rating in the Premier League is more than fair given his performances, with that figure buoyed by the likes of 2.1 tackles, 5.1 clearances and 6.9 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.
It should therefore come as no surprise that Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has branded him ‘Everton’s biggest jewel’, with the price tag set rightly exorbitant.
He continued to prove that with each passing week, and is surely owed a call-up sooner or later. Everton fans, however, will be in no rush to see his workload increased though.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
