Everton’s struggles at Goodison Park continued as they suffered their fourth consecutive home defeat this season, falling 2-1 to newly-promoted Luton Town, writes the LiverpoolWorld. The victory marked Luton’s first win as a Premier League club, putting a halt to Everton’s momentum after their recent successes against Brentford and Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.
Despite a somewhat chaotic defensive performance from Everton, one positive emerged in the form of Jarrad Branthwaite, the youngest and least-experienced member of the home side’s back four. Branthwaite, who turned 21 in late June, has shown great promise since entering the lineup after Everton’s 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa. In a notable moment, he chased down Luton’s Marvelous Nakama, catching up to the Zimbabwe midfielder and executing a strong recovery tackle that earned applause from the home crowd.
Some observers believe Branthwaite has the potential to become a top defender, drawing comparisons to the likes of John Stones and Kevin Ratcliffe. His combination of speed, size, and strength makes him a promising prospect for Everton’s future.
The lone bright spot for Evertonians in this match was Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal, his third in as many matches. It marked Everton’s first home goal of the season and provided a glimmer of hope for fans, who endured a prolonged VAR review before the goal was awarded.
In attendance at Goodison Park were representatives from Everton’s prospective new owners, 777 Partners. Co-founders Josh Wander and Steve Pasko, along with Don Dransfield, CEO of 777’s football group, witnessed the game. Wander and Pasko stood out in the directors’ box, with Wander donning a royal blue tie to connect with Evertonians. When asked about his Goodison Park experience, Wander expressed his enjoyment despite the unfavorable result, leaving an air of uncertainty hanging over the club’s future.