Jarrad Branthwaite is eager to unlock his ball-playing attributes, as the Everton defender eyes more opportunities in manager Rafa Benitez’s starting XI.

Teenager Branthwaite stole the headlines with an equalising goal against Chelsea on his return to First-Team action last week.

But if the centre-half naturally attracted the spotlight for his poacher’s strike to earn Everton a point, there was plenty of talk, too, about Branthwaite’s immaculate performance on the left of a resolute back three.

A heavily-depleted Everton battened down the hatches at Stamford Bridge, absorbing pressure and seeking to pierce Chelsea’s defences on the counter.

That meant a night largely devoted to resisting attacks for Branthwaite on his first Premier League appearance since July 2020.

There were glimpses, however, of a footballer with a lot of strings to his bow. Branthwaite accelerated forwards with the ball at his feet shortly after half-time, drawing a lunging foul from Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, before connecting with Anthony Gordon’s free-kick for a first top-flight goal.

The 19-year-old sounded a desire to muscle into Benitez’s team when signing a new contract this month – and the meeting with Chelsea was a first opportunity to begin making good on that wish.

“We defended a lot but I have a lot more to my game on the ball,” Branthwaite told evertontv.

“That will come as the team and myself have more confidence.

“I like to defend, as I showed against Chelsea.

“But I am confident on the ball and can bring it out from the back.

“As I gain confidence that will come out more in my game... [I consider myself] a ball-playing centre-back.

“I believe in my own ability and, hopefully, the performance against Chelsea, from me and the team, is enough [to impress the manager].

“We were underdogs and that makes you want to go and show what you can do.

“With the players we had out injured, the performance was second-to-none and we showed what we were capable of doing.”

Everton go to Burnley on Boxing Day for the first of three Premier League games in one week.

Benitez’s side will expect an increased share of the ball at Turf Moor – indeed, Burnley similarly ceded possession to Chelsea to claim a point from their visit to West London last month.

Branthwaite, then, could be looking at an opportunity to explore his passing range, if selected for the game.

The former Carlisle United player’s numbers at Chelsea – 12 recoveries and two successful tackles and two clearances – all spoke to his defensive capacity.

One of the more remarkable statistics from the match revealed Branthwaite’s leveller came from the first right-footed shot of his senior league career.

His only previous goal was scored for Carlisle against Morecambe in an EFL Trophy game in November 2019.

The one last week, Branthwaite hopes, will begin to repay Everton for the faith invested in him when awarding that deal until summer 2025 – and spur the team to a profitable festive period.

“I signed a deal which showed Everton’s commitment to me and I hope I repaid them with that goal,” added Branthwaite.

“The result was massive, everyone to a man was superb, the team spirit after the game was unbelievable and we want to take that into the next game.

“Our reaction to going one down was good.

“We were breaking well throughout the game and had a few opportunities on the counter-attack, so I always felt we’d have a chance to get a goal and, thankfully, I put one in the net.

“I can‘t put into words the feeling of scoring in the Premier League, the best league in the world, and of doing it for Everton.

“I was just buzzing to be in the team and play against Chelsea but now I have to build on it.”