Rafa Benitez has praised Jarrad Branthwaite for the progress which saw the young Cumbrian make a dramatic goalscoring return to the Everton side.

The teenager from Wigton enjoyed a night to remember on Thursday when he scored the Toffees' equaliser at Chelsea.

It was the former Carlisle United defender's first Premier League goal as he earned Everton a point against the European Champions.

The 19-year-old's memorable evening came a few days after he had signed a new three-and-a-half year deal at Goodison Park - underlining the regard he is held in at the top-flight club.

Manager Benitez, on the Everton website, said of Branthwaite: "When we spoke amongst the staff, we said he is doing well, he is getting better so it's a question of giving him a chance.

"Normally, these kind of games are quite difficult - and it was difficult for him and for everyone in defence - but he did well. 

"He showed character and he's a player who has potential. 

"Always with the young players, you have to be careful but you have to give them a chance if it is possible."

News and Star: Branthwaite scores the equaliser against Chelsea (photo: PA)Branthwaite scores the equaliser against Chelsea (photo: PA)

There had been speculation about a possible loan move in January for the promising young Cumbrian, who joined Everton from Carlisle in January 2020.

But Benitez said England Under-20 international Branthwaite's immediate future will have to be carefully judged.

“At the beginning, when I was thinking about him, I saw a young player who could train with us and be coached by us and he could improve, I wanted to see him and he was training really well,” he said.

“I had the conversation with my staff and over the last two weeks he has been training really well so you can see he is improving and progressing.

“You want to keep players with us if you think they can improve.

“Ok, we will see now and also with covid around we have to be very careful, like today. We had 10-12 players unavailable.

“It was really important to see the young players doing well.”

Everton are scheduled to be in action next at Burnley on Boxing Day.

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