Jarrad Branthwaite was speaking after Thierno Barry scored twice to help Everton claim a 3-1 Premier League victory over Coventry City on Friday night
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite (Image: (Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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Jarrad Branthwaite believes Thierno Barry’s hot streak in front of goal is down to him playing with confidence after taking a season to find his feet. Barry endured a tough maiden campaign with the Blues last year after arriving for 27.5m from Villarreal.
The forward was largely written off despite scoring eight goals, but his commitment to improve in the close season is now firmly paying off. Barry’s brace against Coventry City on Friday night took his tally to 10 for the season in all competitions and also helped his side secure a 3-1 comeback victory.
“It is good to see because I know how hard he works as a player, at the training ground and away from the training ground,” Branthwaite said.
READ MORE: What Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall said about Everton mentality as fresh Thierno Barry verdict delivered
“We all knew he could score goals and I think you are starting to see that now. I am buzzing for him. It is always difficult when you come into the Premier League and you are a new face and at a new club.
“It takes a bit of time to settle in and I think he has done that now and you can see how confident he is as a player, on the pitch and off it.”
Friday night’s game was also a landmark occasion for Blues boss David Moyes as he equalled the great Harry Catterick’s record of 592 games in charge of Everton.
And when asked about his boss, Branthwaite revealed: “He just knows the club inside out.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton and David Moyes, Manager of Everton, acknowledge the fans after during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Everton FC at Brentford Community Stadium on February 26, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Jarrad Branthwaite alongside David Moyes (Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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“He knows what it means to play for Everton and always instils it in us throughout the week and before games to go out there, give the best account of yourself, work hard and (with) the quality we're showing the fans will get behind us.
“I think we've been doing that, and you can see the atmosphere that we've created tonight when we started to come back. It’s really positive.
“He's been brilliant for me. All the managers have been top class for me, giving me the opportunity to play in the Premier League at such a young age. He keeps looking after me this season as well, so I'm happy about that.”
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Branthwaite will join up with the England squad this week for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.
However, the defender has been taken off in Everton's last two matches, and he missed the recent defeat to Arsenal and the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United due to concussion.
But when asked about his fitness, he replied: “I’m feeling good; with the concussion, it was 12 days of not really being able to do an awful lot, so when you go back into a game, Newcastle away at St James', it is always tough with the intensity, and I was feeling it a little bit then.”