'Leave our best player alone' - Nevin

With Luton losing on the weekend, Everton and Nottingham Forest could decide between themselves who would take advantage.

The points-deducted derby proved to be the slug fest everyone expected but Everton always seemed to have that little more on the day. They had more fight after that 6-0 capitulation at Stamford Bridge on Monday - had a better game plan that was horrible to play against and also had the match officials’ sympathy. Forest could easily have had three penalties.

Amidst the madness one player seemed to grow in stature and composure, Jarrad Branthwaite. This was no easy task at the centre of a back line that looked shell shocked last Monday, but he was coolness personified.

I have likened Cole Palmer to a younger Kevin de Bruyne. I will resist comparing Branthwaite to Virgil van Dijk just yet but, at 21 there are very few around that look to have his abilities as an all-round defender. This is exceptionally unusual at this age for this position.

Top clubs are either keenly watching his meteoric progress or preparing a huge bid. Any decent offer will be almost impossible to turn down by my old cash-strapped club, however much the Evertonians want to say “mind your own business and leave our best player alone”.