Michael Ball attacks Martin Keown in a recent Jarrad Branthwaite ruling following Everton’s defeat by Manchester City.

Following the determination that Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was responsible for both of the team’s goals against Manchester City, Michael Ball has taken issue with Martin Keown’s criticism of the defender.

Erling Haaland’s brace in the second half proved to be the difference between the two teams as Sean Dyche’s team lost 2-0 against the Premier League winners on Saturday, February 10, prolonging their losing streak in the competition.

Keown instantly criticized Branthwaite for his role in both of the Norwegian’s goals, but BBC Sport expert Ball has now targeted the former Everton defender, admitting that he would have like to see him try to stop Haaland.

“Jarrad Branthwaite was the fall guy for both of Erling Haaland’s goals but you can’t point the finger of blame at him because the Manchester City striker has got the attributes to do that to everyone and has been punishing the best defenders in the world for several years now,” the writer wrote in an article for the Liverpool Echo on Monday, February 12.

“Haaland scored the first goal thanks to Branthwaite’s failed clearance effort, and he was left vulnerable for the second one.

“However, I felt Martin Keown was being a little bit critical, stating that Branthwaite ought to have done this and that and that he could have checked his other shoulder. I wish he had given it a try!

“Keown was saying, ‘I would have been tighter,’ but you can’t go tight in this game these days. Earlier in his Everton career, Branthwaite was left rather exposed, got caught off guard with his legs intertwined, and was sent off.

“He might have been thinking about that because he misses three games when he’s not focused.”

There wasn’t much Jarrad Branthwaite could do to get Everton to stop. Erling Haaland

It’s very easy for somebody in a studio to criticise Branthwaite for his decision-making on Saturday, with a variety of pundits voicing their opinions quickly after the full-time whistle. But in reality, it is almost impossible to stop Haaland.

In his first full season of Premier League play, Branthwaite, a center-back for Everton, has shown himself to be one of the league’s most reliable defenders, putting up a number of remarkably composed games.

Although one analyst called Branthwaite’s performance “terrific” and the rest of City’s frontline “terrific,” the Norwegian only needs half a chance to score and he will always take it. For the bulk of the game at the Etihad, Branthwaite stayed strong and frustrated Haaland.

Both James Tarkowski and Branthwaite, two of the most vital players for the Toffees, must maintain their incredible form if Everton is to avoid relegation this season.

In other Everton news, Rio Ferdinand has expressed his opinion regarding the Toffees’ chances of surviving this campaign.

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