Everton’s season has been one filled with misery and unrest, but finally there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel.
After all, yesterday marked a huge step towards safety, as they stumped up the courage to brush aside last Monday’s mauling at Chelsea by beating Nottingham Forest.
Goodison Park played host to a raucous atmosphere and a solid performance, albeit one marred by VAR controversy.
However, Graeme Souness has been left full of praise for two Everton stars following that match.
Graeme Souness full of praise for Everton duo
Speaking live on talkSPORT earlier this morning (22/04, 10:55 am), the former Liverpool midfielder was full of adulation for Everton, despite the obvious differences he and the club have endured.
After all, the Welshman was a no-nonsense enforcer during his playing days, and has since developed into a pundit with a similar take on modern-day football.
However, he was left particularly enamoured with two of the Toffees’ players, singling them out whilst also outlining his relegation hopes.
He claimed: ‘Maybe not, maybe there are some got kids coming through, maybe they will have a budget to work with, maybe some of the players he (Sean Dyche) has got will improve. Scoring goals has been a major problem for them. It looks like Tarkowski, and the boy Branthwaite, couple of good centre-halves, he looks to be a really good type, the captain he has got there, the centre-back he has got.
‘You might not agree. I have a soft spot for Everton. I lived in Liverpool for a long time, and I said to you, the last time I was on here, Liverpudlians, I won’t say all Liverpool supporters but Liverpudlians, I think the vast majority of them who are Reds will not want Everton to go into the Championship. It’s great for the city that they have got two teams, and long may that continue.’
James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite have propped up survival push
It is no real surprise that James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite are the two garnering praise, given the foundation their continued presence at the back has given Everton all season.
After all, it certainly would not be the forward players having commanded praise, given it is their continued profligacy which has arguably kept the Toffees so low down in the table, deductions aside.
Meanwhile, only the top three have conceded fewer goals than Sean Dyche’s side, with David Raya the only goalkeeper to have more clean sheets than Jordan Pickford.
His goal has been expertly marshalled by this fine blend of youthful energy and experienced leadership.
Should they remain together next season, it could truly offer the necessary springboard for this club to actually progress at last.
