Cumbrian teenager Jarrad Branthwaite salvaged a point for Everton with a well-taken equaliser at Stamford Bridge last night.
In his first Premier League start of the season he shored-up a depleted Everton side and was there on 74 minutes to convert at the far post from a free-kick by Anthony Gordon.
Carlisle-born Branthwaite, 19, who recently signed a contract extension at Goodison, played solidly in a back three although goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was the Toffees man of the match.
His best effort was near the end to keep out a powerful header from Thiago Silva and he was also on his toes to deny Christian Pulisic, Reece James, Jorginho and Mason Mount.
It was Mount who had given Chelsea the lead after 70 minutes with a controlled finish past Pickford.
Branthwaite only made his first senior team bench appearance for Carlisle in March 2019 and after 23 consecutive bench appearances finally made his debut in October in a 2–0 League Two defeat at Plymouth Argyle. He played the full match and received his first yellow card.
He scored his first professional goal for Carlisle a month later in an EFL Trophy tie against Morecambe on November 12.
He made only nine senior starts for Carlisle before he was sold to Everton for a reported £1million and prior to last night had made five Premier League appearances, as well as 10 while on loan at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.
