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Jarrad Branthwaite, a defender for Everton, scored a last-minute header to secure a 2-2 tie against Tottenham, ruining Richarlison’s return to Goodison Park after scoring two goals.
The team seemed on track to secure their sixth victory in seven games thanks to impressive goals from the Brazilian player. However, the 21-year-old defender from Everton, who has been performing well this season, scored his first goal of the season from the far post.
The goal scored by Sean Dyche’s team was a result of their determination, while also serving as a consequence for Tottenham’s failure to capitalize on their opportunities.
Richarlison opted not to commemorate his eighth and ninth goals in the past eight games of the league as a sign of respect towards the fans who, less than two years ago, idolized him for his contribution to their first victory against relegation.
However, in the fourth minute of added time, there were chaotic moments as Tottenham’s Cristian Romero was only able to redirect James Garner’s free-kick, allowing Branthwaite to sneak in and score past Guglielmo Vicario. Vicario had a challenging game handling Everton’s set-pieces.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin continued to struggle as he believed he had broken a 17-game dry spell dating back to October by scoring from close range for Everton’s first equalizer. However, the goal was ultimately credited to Jack Harrison just before the start of the second half.
There was no questioning the quality of Richarlison’s well-executed goals. The first came just four minutes into the game, as he skillfully volleyed the ball into the net after Idrissa Gana Gueye had made a return to the starting lineup due to injuries and allowed Destiny Udogie to make a run past him and receive Timo Werner’s pass.
However, rather than capitalizing on their early lead, Spurs were forced to retreat as Harrison’s missed shot from close range was saved by an offside call.
The most promising chances for Everton arose from set-pieces, specifically when Dwight McNeil aimed inswinging corners from the right towards Vicario.
In the end, this particular play proved to be beneficial as Vicario, under pressure from Garner, was unable to handle a corner near his own goal line. James Tarkowski then headed the ball back towards the goal and Calvert-Lewin was able to score with a header.
He believed this until the Premier League’s goal accreditation panel intervened.
The Everton forward was completely oblivious but now had a new surge of energy and came close to reaching a Harrison pass, but was blocked by defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van der Ven.
Everton were actually in the ascendency when Richarlison put Spurs ahead again; James Maddison and Werner combined down the left with the latter teeing up the Brazilian who, with Harrison slow to react, had time to curl a shot across and beyond Jordan Pickford.
Vicario was able to prevent Ben Godfrey’s header with his legs, and Pickford made a save on Vitalii Mykolenko’s volley towards the end of the first half. However, Tottenham maintained their energy in the second half, with Werner coming close to scoring but ultimately being ruled offside.
Pickford came through with a crucial save to prevent Richarlison from scoring his third goal, and the away team should have secured their victory.
Reworded: Youssef Chermiti’s missed opportunity to score and Beto’s denied penalty claims were costly for the team, but ultimately it was Branthwaite’s goal that sealed their defeat, after he replaced the injured Vicario.
Despite not winning a league game since December, Everton’s morale should receive a boost after their performance that earned them a point. However, they face a tough match against Manchester City next.
Source: independent.co.uk
