He's outshining Branthwaite: Everton have just found a new undroppable star

Everton’s incredible growth under David Moyes continued as Goodison Park played out a 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

It might have been the fifth draw in six Premier League matches, but Everton haven’t tasted defeat since Moyes first returned to the dugout against Aston Villa in January, eight games ago.

It’s a testament to the progress over just a few months that fans were left somewhat pensive after failing to convert several good chances and take all three points.

However, West Ham were pegged back in the closing minutes as Everton’s manager avoided defeat against his former club, with the success in finding the equaliser owing in part to Jarrad Branthwaite’s excellent performance in defence across the contest.

Jarrad Branthwaite’s display vs West Ham

Branthwaite issued the perfect response to being overlooked by Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions boss named his England squad for the upcoming international break.

While the Londoners opened the scoring through Tomas Soucek after 67 minutes, the 21-year-old centre-back played well throughout, notably making nine clearances as he protected the impressive Jordan Pickford’s goal.

One misplaced header aside, his power and composure in the rearguard, commanding the action with 78 touches and completing four long passes.

With an average of 2.4 long balls per game this season, this illustrates the newfound positivity under Moyes, seeking channels from range and, most importantly, hitting them.

He might be Everton’s standout defender, but Branthwaite was actually outshone against West Ham.

There’s another man in defence who has made real gains over the past few months. You may be able to guess who…

Moyes’ new undroppable Everton star

Signed from French club Lyon for about £16m last summer, Jake O’Brien had to bide his time on the bench but has nailed down an important role since Moyes replaced Dyche in January, starting all seven Premier League games in the unbeaten run.

Scoring the winning goal against West Ham after clever work from Idrissa Gueye, O’Brien sparked jubilant scenes on Merseyside when striking from close range in stoppage time.

His athletic qualities held sway, with the 23-year-old showing off his creative side too as the hosts pushed for parity in the second half.

Admittedly, Saturday wasn’t the finest representation of O’Brien’s defensive game, winning just two of his ten duels against lively opponents like Jarrod Bowen and Emerson Palmieri, however, he still made yet another good account of himself in a new role.

With three key passes placed to complement his last-gasp goal, the Irishman is proving he can uphold Moyes’ defensive virtues while providing the forwards with some of the ball-playing skill Ashley Young has carried so well through his Everton career.

He was also awarded with an 8/10 match rating by the Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley, who praised his attacking impetus, overlapping and attempting to influence as Everton probed.

Is it any wonder he was hailed as a “revelation in defence” at Lyon last season by journalist Zach Lowy? Fostering an ability to strengthen Moyes’ first team with a dynamic and multi-layered skill set, O’Brien may find himself stealing headlines more times in the future, rivalling Branthwaite for the plaudits.

Though Branthwaites continues to excel as the cream of Everton’s defensive crop, O’Brien is turning into an undroppable presence on the right side of the backline, and Moyes will be delighted.

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