Tarkowski Hails 'Amazing' Branthwaite

James Tarkowski praised his ‘amazing’ centre-back partner Jarrad Braithwaite as the duo combined to help Everton earn another clean sheet in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.



The pair took to the field together in the capital for the 82nd time, including all four Premier League games this term. 



It was a less familiar sight last season, with Branthwaite sidelined through hamstring injuries before undergoing surgery and a reintegration programme this summer.



After the game in north London on Saturday, Tarkowski spoke live to the Sky Sports studio where former Blue Ashley Young was among those to ask him questions about the match, the campaign so far and his partnership with Branthwaite.


On the 0-0 draw against Tottenham…



“It was tough early on, very tough. I thought they started really well and made it really difficult for us, but we stuck in there. Plenty of blocks, plenty of tackles. I think as the game went on, we sort of grew into the game and then made a couple of chances where I feel like we could have taken three points. But on the road, we'll always take a clean sheet and a point, especially coming to a place like this when I know they've not had a great start to the season, but they've made a lot of good signings, a lot of quality players, and to take a clean sheet is nice.



“The game felt 100 miles an hour. It felt like you didn't have a moment to breathe. Every time they gave it away, they were just in your face immediately, won the ball back and we made some bad decisions, didn't make a good pass or had a poor touch. They were all over us to be fair and we just managed to stick in there. It was always going to settle down at some point and once it did, we grew into the game and started to create our own chances.



“We were aware of the fact that they'd not scored, but still, if you look at their players and their team, and even the subs that they brought on, they're a top, top side. They're always dangerous and you saw today how good they can be with the chances they've created. But we managed to get bodies on the line and stop the ball going in our net.”

On Everton’s chances to win the game…

“I can't remember all of them, but when you sit down in the dressing room and you start to reflect on the game briefly, I remember Kiernan had an opportunity where he nicked it on the edge of the box. We had a couple of pullbacks. I think Kiernan put one over the bar, Barry had a header. We need to be clinical when we can be and today we didn’t manage to do that. But as I said, a point on the road and unbeaten so far in the season. We’re going into a week now where we've got a cup game and Ipswich at home and hopefully we can all have a really good week.”

On his partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite…

“We've sort of worked on that in time and Jazz is an amazing partner to have next to you. He's as strong as an ox, rapid, brilliant on the ball, two footed and communicates really well. Last year it was difficult for him. He didn't play many games and missed a lot of football, but he's come back fit and flying and you see tonight the quality he's got, the amount of tackles and blocks he makes, but also he’s very composed and comfortable on the ball. So hopefully that continues for him.”

On the team’s spirit…

“We always want to win a game and obviously we did have opportunities to score goals and when you've kept a clean sheet, you're hoping you can get one from somewhere. We talked about that Everton spirit before the game and I think we showed that today. We know all the noise that has happened around us over these last couple of weeks. The squad's not massive, but it's a strong squad. There's lads in there that are young but have had a year to grow last season and we're pretty confident in ourselves. So there's a lot of noise, but internally, we're striding to be ambitious and push and we’re not too concerned about that noise on the outside.

“People have just got to chip in and do a job when they have to. We had some young players last year who were sort of growing and building, and this season they've really kicked on. I think Tyrique's the biggest show of that. He's come back a different player this year. He's exciting, strong, runs with the ball really well, creative and he's not the only one. There's four or five in there just like that.”

On being Everton’s eldest player following recent departures of Young, Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gana Gueye...

“That's me now. I'm the oldest one, which is quite concerning, to be honest! But I still feel young at heart. That's what they say – young at heart. I'm mixing with the young boys all the time to keep myself feeling young. But it's nice, being experienced; trying to give a bit of wisdom, like Ash used to do with me, looking after the younger boys and giving them a bit of stick when they need it!”