What Jarrad Branthwaite did in injury time while Everton fans celebrated all around him could have far-reaching consequences in the future.

Everton had already sealed a victory over Chelsea in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but Jarrad Branthwaite was celebrating for a different reason.

Lewis Dobbin’s first Premier League goal had just increased the Blues’ lead, and nearly 40,000 home fans were celebrating in the stands. The players may be excused for joining them. Conor Gallagher sprinted through on goal, maybe seeing the opportunity for personal glory, before being taken down in a crashing heap by a sliding Branthwaite.

The teenager ignored his fatigued legs and sprang up to be congratulated by his teammates on his third clean sheet in a week.

Gareth Southgate had been watching from the directors’ box, close to director of football Kevin Thelwell. He may have been in Liverpool for any of a number of England international matches. The one who should have piqued his interest was the player he has yet to call up. The biggest battle for Everton in January will not be battling relegation. It will be in thwarting the advances of clubs eager to sign their rising star.

Jarrad Branthwaite was not even in the first XI of England Under-21s this summer, despite his professionalism as a willing member of the group that achieved triumph at the European Championships. Nonetheless, given the magnitude of his improvement, he should now be considered for a call-up to the first team roster.

Branthwaite was brilliant against top-tier opposition once more, aiding Everton to another clean sheet in their battling 2-0 win over Chelsea. He got off to a quick start, recognizing his opponent’s intention to rush in and take Armando Broja out early. Mykhailo Mudryk was on the frontline of defense as Mykhailo Mudryk threatened down the Everton right, stepping across the same target man to head clear and later stab clear.

In between those crucial clearances, he made a superbly timed challenge on Broja, who was set to strike. The 21-year-old had been beaten by his opponent on the halfway line and was ready to be punished. However, he demonstrated speed and strength to keep up with the forward and then bravery to complete a raucous recovery challenge.

Branthwaite has fought his way into Sean Dyche’s starting XI this season, captained England U21s at Goodison Park, and signed a new contract with the Blues. The fact that there was so much worry in the home dugout when he needed treatment in the first half reflected his importance. He recovered and shook hands with each of the fitness staff members who had helped him stay on the pitch after the final whistle, but he will now miss the trip to Burnley next week after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the second half. Idrissa Gueye received his fifth yellow card before being replaced at halftime when Amadou Onana returned to action after five minutes of rest with a calf issue.

Everton’s January plans are unknown. There is an appeal against the ten-point deduction for violating Premier League spending regulations. If Everton had been given a different punishment, they would have been four points ahead of Chelsea at the end of the game and only three points away from European qualification. If a resolution is not reached sooner, the new year will bring an analysis of the club’s 2023 financial reports and a response from regulatory organizations to 777 Partners’ attempted purchase of the club.

In the midst of such uncertainty, one thing is certain: the world’s biggest clubs will be pondering whether to make a bid for Branthwaite. Powerful, fast, composed center backs who can use both feet are in high demand in today’s game. If there is any unrest off the field in early 2024, predators may regard it as the last chance to pursue Branthwaite before Everton is in a strong enough position to establish a price tag as lofty as his potential.

After three fantastic wins in eight days, Everton will have stability on the pitch regardless of what happens in the corridors of power. This current success was not completely due to Branthwaite. Not at all. James Tarkowski was outstanding once more, stepping up while his partner was compelled to be more cautious following his booking. Vitalii Mykolenko caged Cole Palmer and performed a goal-saving tackle on Raheem Sterling, whose new-found attacking flair has proved essential to Everton’s record, despite the asterisk next to the club’s points tally.

In the end, until Dobbin smashed through a crowded penalty area to secure the brightest moment of his senior career after a good run of form in the U21s, this was a rearguard action from a small squad of tired legs forced to respond to Ashley Young’s first-half injury and Gueye’s withdrawal. The matchday team also without Seamus Coleman and Michael Keane.

Dyche could have been forgiven for practicing pragmatism, with Young off and Gueye coming off, Luton Town winning against Manchester City, and injuries and suspensions piling up. However, this Everton is a different beast than in former years, and in a game with few clear-cut chances, it once again found the critical moment. Dwight McNeil went from being a goal-scoring hero against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United to becoming a provider with a lovely through ball to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Robert Sanchez raced from his line and bravely saved at the striker’s feet, but Abdoulaye Doucoure was there to slide the ball in.

It was fitting that, as important as the rise of one of Dyche’s newest stars has been to Everton’s stunning progress, the player who has done more than any other to preserve the club’s Premier League status and then push it forward under this manager should once again provide the game’s defining moment.