Jarrad Branthwaite: Everton defender’s full stats vs Brentford speaks volumes
Jarrad Branthwaite was superb for Everton as they struck late to earn a 2-2 draw at Brentford on Saturday.
The Toffees came from behind twice, with Beto first cancelling out Igor Thiago’s opener before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netted in stoppage time to deny the Brazilian a winner.
Branthwaite has been missing for the majority of the season, only finally returning in January after suffering several setbacks to a hamstring injury.
The defender’s fitness remains a concern, however, after injury kept him out against Arsenal last month and restricted him to just 12 minutes against Chelsea.
Everton’s form has seen them handed a brilliant chance to qualify for European football next season, but they will need their key defender fit and firing.
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VISIT THE EVERTON MATCH HUBJarrad Branthwaite impresses vs Brentford
Former Manchester United chief scout exclusively told Football Insider this month that Branthwaite is set to stay at Everton, despite interest from the Red Devils.
The Premier League giants attempted to sign the defender in 2024 with a flurry of bids, starting at £35million and eventually reaching as high as £50m.
| Jarrad Branthwaite | vs Brentford |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Accurate passes | 30/35 |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Clearances | 7 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Duels won | 5/7 |
But Everton were insistent – Branthwaite is not for sale – and the centre-back remained with the Toffees.
The 23-year-old would have hoped to go to the World Cup with England this summer, but looks to have missed out due to injury.
Interest in him is expected to continue to mount regardless, however, and the Toffees may well end up needing European football to keep hold of him in the coming years.
Branthwaite was key on Saturday as their chances of qualifying were boosted at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The 23-year-old made seven clearances, two blocks, three recoveries and won nearly all of the duels he contested on the day.
Just six games lie between Everton and Europe, with an eighth-place finish set to be enough.
David Moyes critical of one Branthwaite moment
Moyes was left furious by the defending from both of his centre-backs in the build-up to Brentford’s opening goal.
Branthwaite had been holding Igor Thiago in anticipation of Caoimhin Kelleher’s goal kick and elected to let the ball go over both of their heads with the expectation that James Tarkowski would clean up.
The 33-year-old did not have the same idea, however, and let Kevin Schade run off his shoulder and go through on goal before Jordan Pickford took him down.
“Oh my goodness,” Moyes told BBC Radio Merseyside on Saturday when asked about the goal.
“I think [it’s] even worse when you’re a centre-half and I see what my centre-halves were like… we probably practiced it for an hour, because Brentford do, they get it up to Thiago… it was really disappointing.
“In fact it was terrible. I could hardly believe that would have happened as we’ve been talking about it for most of the week.”
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