Everton fans were surprised to see Jarrad Branthwaite start on the bench at Craven Cottage.
David Moyes opted to drop the England international for the clash against Fulham despite handing him 90 minutes at left-back in the 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Some Everton supporters may have been concerned that Jarrad Branthwaite had suffered a reoccurrence of the hamstring injury which has limited him to just one Premier League start this season, but that is exactly what Moyes aims to prevent.
What are your initial thoughts on the starting XI? 🤔
Only one change made as Mykolenko returns! đź‘Š
Everton starting XI to face Fulham.
Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar.
David Moyes admits he is being “careful” with Jarrad Branthwaite after hamstring issues
When asked why he chose to drop the Everton No.32 for this game, the Glaswegian said: “It’s about balancing minutes for Jarrad Branthwaite. He’s been out for the best part of eight months, so we’ve just got to be careful how many games and how many minutes he plays.”
"It's about balancing minutes for Jarrad Branthwaite. He's been out for the best part of eight months, so we've just got to be careful how many games and how many minutes he plays."
The boss on today's team selection. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/ov3Ku2dL4s
— Everton (@Everton) February 7, 2026
View Tweet
The 23-year-old missed the first 22 games of this Premier League season as he recovered from a serious hamstring injury, before returning for the second half of the recent 1-1 draw against Leeds.
Therefore, you can understand why Moyes is keen to protect Branthwaite – who is targeting Europe – as it would be a major disappointment for everyone if the defender had to spend another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Everton need to start a natural right-back
While it was the right decision to rest Branthwaite, it was the wrong decision to field a central defender at right-back in Jake O’Brien.
Fulham regularly got in behind down that side as Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Ryan Sessegnon and Emile Smith Rowe targeted the Irishman, with the opening goal coming from a cross down that side.
Raul Jimenez also missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 after O’Brien was robbed of the ball.
The lack of an attacking right-back is seemingly causing Everton to be pinned back and put under immense pressure.
If you are David Moyes, who would be your starting right-back for the remainder of the season? 🤔
Everton need more in attack from their full-backs
A comparison of Jake O'Brien and Nathan Patterson's goal contributions for Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/George Wood.
If we were in charge, O’Brien would start centrally in place of Keane while Branthwaite is rested, with Patterson on the right.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox