Jarrad Branthwaite grabs latest goal for Everton at Brighton

The former Carlisle United defender fired home in impressive style for Everton at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Branthwaite, 21, beat home keeper Bart Verbruggen with a stylish finish into the top corner in the 73rd minute.

It was his second goal in four top-flight games for the Toffees.

But Everton's hopes that the Wigton star's strike would be the winner were dashed when Lewis Dunk earned Brighton a 1-1 draw in added time.

Branthwaite puts us ahead with a stunning left-footed strike! 🚀

From a free-kick from inside our own half, Pickford sends it long, the ball is headed but bounces into the path of Jarrad, who takes a touch before firing it into the top corner from the edge of the box. A fine… https://t.co/GPHLK7iEYr

— Everton (@Everton) February 24, 2024

Speaking to the BBC after the game, Branthwaite said: "We put in a solid performance. We went 1-0 up and then they went down to ten men [when Billy Gilmour was sent off].

"Then we sat back and invited pressure - them scoring at the end is frustrating.

"They are a good team, with ten men they could keep the ball. We pressed all game, then they went down to ten men and we stopped pressing - I don't know what happened."

Jarrad Branthwaite challenges Evan Ferguson in Everton's clash with Brighton (Image: PA)

Branthwaite continues to catch the eye for Sean Dyche's side and his outing in Sussex was his 29th of the season for the Merseyside club.

The Cumbrian has given a series of interviews to the national media as he continues his rise to Premier League prominence.

He told Sky Sports of his "dream" of making the England squad. He has been tipped in some quarters for a late run into Gareth Southgate's squad for this summer's European Championships.

"It would be a dream to be in that squad" 🤩

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite on his ambitions to be involved in England's squad for Euro 2024 in Germany ✈️pic.twitter.com/NGofsGayVI

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 23, 2024

Branthwaite also featured on the BBC's Football Focus, when he was interviewed by former Everton star and ex-Carlisle United loanee Leon Osman.

The defender, who left the Blues for Everton in January 2020, also relived some of the landmark moments in his career so far, including his first career goal, when he became Carlisle's youngest-ever goalscorer with a strike against Morecambe aged 17 in 2019.

Jarrad Branthwaite; he's come a long way since that first goal for Carlisle 💭#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/yCByws3uih

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 23, 2024

Branthwaite, whose agent is the former Carlisle captain David Reeves, continues to attract transfer speculation with reports linking him with a host of top clubs at home and abroad.