Everton Round-Up, Monday 9th November: Branthwaite Fires Back at Critics After Coventry Win, Barry and Dewsbury-Hall in the Spotlight
Everton head into the international break in good spirits after a 3-1 Premier League win over Coventry City on Friday, a result that continued their encouraging start to the season and moved them up to 6th place with 16 points (Read Everton). Jarrad Branthwaite spoke after the game with a pointed message aimed at critics and even a team-mate, saying "I have said this before" as he reflected on the display (Liverpool Echo). Branthwaite also gave his honest assessment of how the season has gone so far for David Moyes' side when speaking to Read Everton (Read Everton). Michael Ball, writing for the Liverpool Echo, felt Moyes had answered plenty of questions with the performance but still wants to see a bigger change from Everton going forward (Liverpool Echo).
There was also fresh discussion around a penalty decision involving James Tarkowski during the Coventry win, with Frank Lampard said to be unhappy that key calls went against his side in the defeat (Liverpool Echo). The Guardian's round-up of the weekend's Premier League talking points also touched on Everton, referencing some "hair-pulling confusion" from the game (The Guardian), while talkSPORT's Heroes and Villains column noted an Everton player has picked up an iconic new nickname after the weekend's events, with Gabby Agbonlahor left red-faced in the process (talkSPORT).
Thierno Barry continues to catch the eye following his move from Villarreal last season, with Read Everton highlighting his biggest strength after a slow start to life at Everton turned into a prolific run in front of goal, with ten goals already this season (Read Everton). Royal Blue Mersey's Monday round-up also touched on praise for Braiden Graham, comments from Barry on his recent form, and a fresh link with Doumbia (Royal Blue Mersey). Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also spoke warmly about the Everton supporters, telling EvertonFC.com he feels "so much love" from Evertonians and insisting his focus remains on helping the team win games (EvertonFC.com).
Looking ahead, the Liverpool Echo examined how Moyes could shuffle his starting eleven for the trip to Brentford, with Jack Grealish in contention for a recall and the possibility of a seventh change in as many games in one particular problem position (Liverpool Echo). TeamTalk also report that a decision has been reached on Grealish's situation regarding a potential return to Manchester City, with former Everton defender Michael Ball offering his view on the matter (TeamTalk).
On the international front, EvertonFC.com have detailed when and where several of Everton's men's squad will be in action during the break, including Jordan Pickford and Jarrad Branthwaite among others (EvertonFC.com). Pickford is away with England ahead of Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, and the Liverpool Echo report a decision has been made regarding the goalkeeper after he was "put on notice" (Liverpool Echo). Elsewhere, Jermaine Beckford believes Pickford's rivalry with England's James Trafford for the number one shirt can bring out the best in the Everton man (Liverpool Echo). Away from the pitch, former goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has revealed the truth to ToffeeWeb about how his proposed move to Everton in 1996 collapsed in unusual circumstances (ToffeeWeb).
In the WSL, Everton Women drew 1-1 away at Chelsea, ending the hosts' run of seven straight league wins and extending their own unbeaten run on the road, with Hannah Blundell praising her team-mates' belief and resilience afterwards (Royal Blue Mersey). Everton's under-21s also picked up a point in Premier League 2, drawing 1-1 away at Crystal Palace thanks to a superb late equaliser from Omari Benjamin, which earned him praise for an "outstanding" solo effort, with highlights of the game available on EvertonFC.com (Liverpool Echo) (EvertonFC.com). Everton's under-18s meanwhile beat Leicester City 3-2, with goals from Kai Hutchison, Shea Pita and Francis Boggan sealing the win (EvertonFC.com).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
