Everton had to settle for a point on the weekend when they made the trip down to the capital to face West Ham United.
It was far from a stellar performance from Sean Dyche’s side who were forced to lean on their goalkeeper to secure that single point.
Jordan Pickford was hailed by Alan Shearer for his stunning save late on in the game against the Hammers.
Everton are going into the international break sitting just three points above the drop zone with some daunting fixtures ahead of them.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 19 | -6 | 12 |
| 15 |  LeicesterLeicester | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 10 |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 10 |
| 17 |  IpswichIpswich | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 22 | -10 | 8 |
| 18 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 15 | -7 | 7 |
But there was something else which really encouraged former Everton player Michael Ball with what he saw on the weekend.
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Everton handed ‘huge boost’ with Jarrad Branthwaite returning
Over recent weeks, Dyche has been slammed by Everton fans for not starting Jarrad Branthwaite despite the defender being fit enough to make the squad.
Dyche even admitted he didn’t think Branthwaite was fully fit to have started in the recent games despite what he was being told by the medical staff.
But former the Everton defender has hailed the 22-year-old’s return with the youngster now off to represent England.
“It was a huge boost for Everton to have Jarrad Branthwaite in the starting line-up again and while we knew he wasn’t going to be 100% and he’d be shaky at times as he’s got to get back to that match rhythm, he gives you that absolute assurance when he’s passing the ball around at the back,” Ball told. the Liverpool Echo.
“He’s got that ability to put his foot on it and find a pass with the link-up play to his team-mates either side of him.
“Jarrad brings balance to our team when he receives the ball and he’ll play through the lines, going up the field some 10-15 yards to drive with it. When you see him on the pitch in that royal blue jersey, you think the opposition are going to struggle to get opportunities as he gives us that quality that’s been lacking.”
Jarrad Branthwaite called up to England senior squad
Despite having just made his return from injury, Branthwaite has now been promoted to the England senior side due to some injury dropouts.
It has to be said, the game on the weekend was not exactly his finest with some Everton fans criticising Branthwaite for looking slightly rusty.
But that is to be expected having missed so much time over the last six months or so.
After all, Real Madrid are interested in signing Branthwaite and that shows just how much of a boost his return is to this struggling Everton side.
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