Jarrad Branthwaite blames “lapse in concentration” for loss against Manchester United

Jarrad Branthwaite blames “lapse in concentration” for Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at home on Monday.

Benjamin Sesko came on from the bench to score the only goal of the game and turn the contest in favour of Michael Carrick’s side. The visitors capitalised on the Toffees having players committed high up the pitch and scored on the counter-attack.

Speaking about the loss, Jarrad Branthwaite said, “I think throughout the 90 minutes, we were the better team.

"A lapse in concentration probably killed us on the counterattack, and it's another home game where we've not picked up any points, and we're disappointed.”

Everton’s home record is quickly becoming a cause of concern. The Blues haven’t won at Hill Dickinson Stadium since early December and their winless streak now stands at six. They have only managed to win four of their 14 Premier League contests at the waterfront venue and Branthwaite believes that the Toffees are still adapting to their new home.

“It's down to us as players to create an atmosphere,” he said. “The home form hasn't been good enough. We know that. It's about changing that.

Asked why he believes his side have struggled at home this season, the defender replied: “I don't know. I think it's difficult when you're so used to something in Goodison where it creates the atmosphere.

"I haven't played here much this season, so it's hard for me to say. But at Goodison, we got dragged over the line by the fans and they created that for us. I thought the performance tonight was good and a step in the right direction, but ultimately we did pick up any points again.

“Maybe here it's not as easy. It's a bigger stadium, it's different. It's going to take a while to get used to. I think you've seen that, but, like I said, it's down to us as players to change that. We know that, and hopefully we can do that.”

Branthwaite made just his third start this season in the game against Manchester United. However, the tall central defender was deployed at left-back ahead of Vitalii Mykolenko.

“The manager asked me to play there again, and I'm happy to be on the pitch, happy to be playing there,” the 23-year-old said when asked about the change.

“Obviously, I'd like to be at centre back, but I think Keano (Michael Keane) and Tarky (James Tarkowski) have done well throughout the season. So it's the manager's decision and I'm happy to be playing wherever he plays me.”

 

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