Is Tarkowski the Dependable losing his touch at the heart of Everton's defence? | OneFootball

James Tarkowski comes off second best against towering Newcastle defenders

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

For two seasons, James Tarkowski has been the bedrock of the Everton defence— the "Mr Dependable" who simply doesn't miss a minute of football.

But as we dissect the fallout from last night’s chaotic 3-3 draw against Manchester City at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, a growing number of Blues are asking a difficult question: is our vice-captain becoming a liability?

The Manchester City Meltdown

Last night was a microcosm of Tarkowski's season. While the headlines will rightly praise Thierno Barry’s double and the spirit shown to come from 0-1 to lead 3-1, the defensive lapses that allowed City to escape with a point were criminal.

The most egregious moment came in the 83rd minute. Having just taken a 3-1 lead, Everton’s defence — led by the veteran duo of Tarkowski and Michael Keane — completely switched off. Erling Haaland was allowed to race onto a Mateo Kovacic pass with embarrassing ease. Tarkowski’s lack of recovery pace and positioning were exposed as Haaland lifted the ball over Pickford. To concede within seconds of our third goal suggests a leadership vacuum at the heart of the backline.

Furthermore, Tarkowski's discipline was again called into question. His 53rd-minute yellow card for a cynical foul on Jeremy Doku was his 7th of the season (depending on the source, some data suggests 6, but his disciplinary record remains a concern). It forced him to play on a tightrope for the remainder of the match, limiting his ability to be aggressive against City's late onslaught.

The Statistical Decline

While Tarkowski still dominates the air — ranking in the 96th percentile for aerial duels won — other metrics paint a more worrying picture of his 2025-26 campaign:

Time for the O’Brien-Branthwaite Axis?

The irony of last night was that Jake O'Brien, the man many want to see partner Jarrad Branthwaite long-term, was the one who scored the towering header from an excellent James Garner corner to put us 2-1 up. O'Brien showed the dynamism and goal threat that Tarkowski has struggled to provide this term (Tarkowski has just 1 goal from 16 shots inside the box this season).

The "squad audit" is becoming clear: while Tarkowski’s experience is valuable, his high wages and declining physical stats suggest he may no longer be an automatic starter if David Moyes wants to implement a more modern, mobile defensive line next season.

Of course, Branthwaite is out for what remains of this roller-coaster season, but worryingly, Tarkowski has already been granted a 2-year contract extension running through to June 2028. So his role going forward as one of Moyes's ageing favourites seems assured for the time being.

We love "Tarky" for his heart, but in a 3-3 thriller where the Everton defence "let themselves down" (Moyes's own words), the leadership we expect from our vice-captain was nowhere to be found when the game and the full 3 points from a precious win were on the line.

Reader Comments (22)

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If Branthwaite is healthy, then yes, it's O'Brien and Jarrad in the middle. Can't do that however if you don't have higher quality right and left backs which we don't.

Tarky's been fairly solid but he's good for a howler every once in awhile at the absolute worst time.

This is all a moot point as O'Brien will stay at the RB position until we fill it with a quality attacking defender.

Great piece, Micheal!

I think it's becoming clear now how Tarkowski's form drops off a lot when he plays with Keane (not blaming Keane). But he is making persistent mistakes.

Really, the club should be looking for next season to be that O'Brien - Branthwaite partnership, with Tarkowski being at an age where he should be starting to be phased out (as in not starting 35+ games per season!).

Liam Mogan 3 Posted 05/05/2026 at 18:22:05

Tarkowski the Dependable sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings.

Although he's less like Gandalf (Thou shall not pass!) and more like Gollum (scratching his ring) these days.

Patric (2)

Wasn't Keane to blame as much as Tarkowski for the cock-up over Haaland's goal?

Yes, Michael, O'Brien scored a goal but got turned inside out by Doku -- that's what got him the 7 you gave in your rating -- it couldn't have been for anything he did as a defender.

Let's see what Keane and O'Brien do as a partnership in the next three games when we are under pressure to win those games -- that's if Moyes chooses that partnership.

Billy Shears 5 Posted 05/05/2026 at 18:35:41

He has got worse and we offer him a new contract... only at Everton FC. Typical really... and we're still linked to buying John Stones... Jeez, will we ever fucking learn!?

When our past captain, Mr Ratcliffe, says that Dylan Lawler at Cardiff City is going to be a future star in the making, then why is our Chief Scout not living in Cardiff...as he plays for his country too!

A back five with three central defenders, O'Brien, Lawler and Branthwaite, would be fucking picking up clean sheets week after week!

So sign Lawler first thing in the summer!!!

Alan McGuffog 7 Posted 05/05/2026 at 18:57:38

More likely to go for Chris Lawler...

Daniel A Johnson 8 Posted 05/05/2026 at 19:48:06

We have a serious issue at central defence.

Tarkowski is old and slow and getting more and more immobile. Even his bread and butter, such as winning headers and defending corners, has become substandard.

Branthwaite is a talent but he's currently not able to string more than 5 matches together. His ability is not in doubt but his physicality and fitness for what is a demanding position is.

O'Brien is a talent but he's been pulled all over the shop because Coleman is a cripple and the manager doesn't trust Patterson. His best position is in central defence but Moyes prefers other options when they are fit.

Keane, as good as he's been, is a 12-month sticking plaster on a position that needs major surgery.

John Williams 9 Posted 05/05/2026 at 19:48:27

What's your opinion of the Man City centre-back who passed the ball to Barry in his own penalty box?

All players make mistakes, just like everyone on TW, at some point.

Tony Hughes 10 Posted 05/05/2026 at 20:01:29

What's been a full-back issue all season has quickly become a centre-back issue.

Keane is squad cover for next season, Tarkowski needs moving on. O'Brien needs to step in and relearn the position.

Hopefully Branthwaithe can overcome his injury issues which are concerning now. A defensive rebuild or remould is needed in the summer.

Liam Mogan 11 Posted 05/05/2026 at 20:07:57

Why do Tarkowski and Pickford pass it short to each other from goal kicks only to then boot it long anyway?

You can't be offside from a goal kick and I was watching them do it time and time again from my seat right on goal line of East Stand.

Beto would push the centre-backs back but, as soon as it went short, the Man City centre-backs would push up to half-way and Beto would be stranded offside.

It just made no sense whatsoever. Especially when neither of their centre-backs looked comfortable to the long ball and/or intensity and pressure. As the 2nd half showed. The number of times we went through the middle of them was astonishing.

Paul Murray 12 Posted 05/05/2026 at 21:29:30

The writing was on the wall second half of last season what little pace he did have went overnight and this season the decline is worrying. Pace is definitely the main issue with Jarod he can get away with it with Keane wide open as Keane nearly as slow too. Jake be far better in the middle with one of them as he’s got some pace. But like we all know we have no decent right back. Right back and a new centre half the main two priorities for me next season with a left back next and then hopefully a new striker and winger

Mal van Schaick 13 Posted 05/05/2026 at 21:48:01

Moyes will bring Stones back, O’Brien and Branthwaite should be the main pairing in central defence. Ffs but a right back or two.

John Collins 14 Posted 05/05/2026 at 22:10:44

https://x.com/LAROMA24/status/2051393923566714996?s=20

Hmmmm

Eric Myles 15 Posted 06/05/2026 at 03:32:05

A statistic you left out MK.

34 points gained out of 48 with a Tarkowski Keane partnership.

Alan J Thompson 16 Posted 06/05/2026 at 06:39:18

The only doubt about whether Branthwaite and O'Brien should be the central pairing is if Branthwaite is susceptible to chronic or regular injury which then just leaves the question of back up. For my money we should have extended the stay of just one of Tarkowski or Keane and just for the one season while looking for or signing a younger more competent third rather than somebody approaching their early or mid 30s.

And again it has to be asked, what has the Academy produced in this position albeit we seem to have sold anyone who has made it through the ranks.

Mark Murphy 17 Posted 06/05/2026 at 07:01:33

Petty point maybe but we didn’t lose 2-1 at Fulham.

Dave Bowen 18 Posted 06/05/2026 at 08:22:07

Well, I only spotted 2 errors in this article, but I didn’t read it that carefully, so there was probably more. Tarkowski was booked for a foul on Haaland, not Doku (that was Keane). Also, we won 2-1 at Fulham in February, not lost. Interestingly, I believe there is a stat, that Tarkowski is the most booked PL player without ever getting sent off. So, a yellow card doesn’t really affect him.

Jimmy Carr 19 Posted 06/05/2026 at 09:31:23

Branthwaite is a quality player but can we rely on him to replace Tarks or Keane long term? His injury record is a red flag. I would expect us to be in for another CB in the summer. Prioritising this may mean the replacement RB is put on hold and O’Brien sticks it out there.

Alternatively we could be looking at a whole new defence. New CB, new RB and new LB. I don’t see that happening under Moyes who values continuity.

There’s much riding on Branthwaite’s injury prognosis.

Eric Myles 21 Posted 06/05/2026 at 15:28:52

Jimmy #19, I see it happening under Moyes who values defence.

Mike Gaynes 22 Posted 06/05/2026 at 16:42:16

This viewpoint is spot on. Tarks still does better than anybody what he has always done, block shots -- he leads the PL again -- but this season has shown recurrent lapses of concentration, which have never been an issue before. The Haaland goal was only the latest.

Most worryingly, he can't be trusted on the ball anymore. He's never been a brilliant passer, but he was always safe. Now the ball gets turned over more often in bad positions.

I think he can still be a valuable reserve, but his days as a starter should end now, and finding at least one talented young center back (perhaps two, given Branthwaite's health issues) should be our highest priority this summer along with right back.