Everton have started the season with two wins and three draws, and were fifth in the table ahead of the rest of the round’s fixtures. Thierno Barry scored the only goal after 11 minutes, when James Tarkowski’s volley struck him in the chest and wrong-footed goalkeeper Christian Walton, and Everton held on after Ipswich’s Abdul Fatawu was sent off in the second half.
Branthwaite, the Everton defender, told Sky Sports that Europe should be the aim again after last season’s near miss.
“Last season we were so close to getting into Europe, so it has to be the goal again.
“As I said, it’s a long season, and we have to take it one game at a time, but I think that we have started the season really well.”
Jordan Pickford also had to save from Fatawu. Everton finished 13th last season, four points short of the places that secured European group-stage football. Barry had a second goal ruled out by VAR after Brennan Johnson was found to have impeded the goalkeeper from an offside position, and manager David Moyes questioned the decision.
“I think [the rule is whether] it affects his ability to save it, which I didn’t think was the case. But look, it’s really difficult for the referees. We understand that. Do I think we’ll get consistency from that decision through all the season? I’ll be doubtful of that. The goalkeeper wouldn’t have saved it. He got taken a little bit to the front post by the runner, Brennan Johnson.”
Moyes also felt the team should have done more to make the game safe, though he was pleased with the outcome.
“They started a bit better in the second half and then, once the player got sent off, I thought we should have gone on and scored more. So credit to Ipswich for sticking with it and hanging in, they made it a bit nervy at the end. But overall, we did the job.”