What Branthwaite did seven minutes into return should set Everton pulses racing

It was a complex piece of play that he carried out with ease and was an instant reminder of everything Everton missed so badly when his season ended on a stretcher in the Merseyside derby back in April.

Everton went on to concede a sickening late goal to lose that game. Given the collapse in form that followed, for some Virgil van Dijk’s header was the turning point in the club’s battle for Europe. The reality is the sight of Branthwaite leaving the pitch on the brink of tears 20 minutes earlier was when the season truly ended.

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To have him back on the pitch is, therefore, a huge boost for Everton and David Moyes. He was tested during his first half display against Bolton Wanderers but dealt with those challenges with relative ease, his pace and strength making him a formidable opponent for the Championship side’s attack.

Branthwaite’s return was the highlight of a goalless game in which Everton created few clear cut chances and in which their goalkeepers, Mark Travers and Tom King, were each required to make good saves.

There were positive displays in a competent performance, however. Moyes opted to try a new formation for the first half, seeking to combat his right back problem by instead playing wing backs.

Both Aznou and Merlin Rohl were combative in their new positions, getting forward to provide several dangerous crosses. Aznou linked up well with Thierno Barry on several occasions, while the forward converted a sliding ball across the face of goal from Rohl only for a nicely-worked move to end in disappointment due to an offside flag.

Barry was the best performer in Royal Blue, showing a willingness to chase loose balls and an ability to link play that he provided glimpses of last season.

He was unfortunate with a good header from a Dwight McNeil cross that flashed narrowly wide and, while he should have scored when played in by Harrison Armstrong at the end of the first half, he deserved credit for the clever ball that allowed Armstrong to get behind the Bolton defence.

Armstrong cut a composed figure in the heart of midfield once again as he staked a claim for greater involvement this season. That opportunity could well present itself given the now-confirmed departure of Idrissa Gueye and the battle James Garner faces to start the season following surgery on a groin issue.

Everton are in the market for another midfielder but will also have new signing Hayden Hackney to challenge for a role. Hackney, like Tyler Dibling, was absent at the Toughsheet Stadium but both are expected to be involved at Stoke City on Tuesday.

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