Everton star stunned at what assistant referee did as Jordan Pickford gets forgotten

Jarrad Branthwaite clenched his fists and held his stare as he looked down at Simon Adingra.

The hulking centre back then turned and pumped his fist at teammates as he stalked clear of the Everton box having fended off another attack from Brighton’s most dangerous player.

Adingra, who had stepped onto the pitch wearing his Africa Cup of Nations winners’ medal before the game, had caused the visitors problems throughout.

And with 15 minutes to go he was shaping to shoot when Branthwaite’s perfectly-timed sliding challenge not only dispossessed the winger but came off him last, meaning Everton won a goal kick.

Moments earlier Branthwaite had hooked clear a dangerous ball crossed into his box and just a few minutes before that he had shown potency in the other box, the 21-year-old curling a fierce effort beyond Bart Verbruggen’s arm and sending Everton’s travelling fans into celebration at the Amex for a third consecutive season. Those fans responded to the challenge on Adingra by chanting Branthwaite’s name.

Those supporters were prevented from leaving the south coast with a vital three points due to Lewis Dunk’s stoppage time equaliser. But Branthwaite’s crucial tackle was another sign of his impressive development this season, and was one of several interesting moments beyond the initial headlines of the game.

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Final whistle fracas

This game was chaotic at times and once the second half started to develop it felt like either side could win. The frantic pace increased after Branthwaite’s goal with the hosts’ desperation to find a route back into the match perhaps a factor