Key points
Everton U18s have secured their spot in the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup after sealing victory in extra-time against Ipswich Town.
Keith Southern’s Everton side were made to work for their spot in the final eight, with the exciting prospect, Braiden Graham, shining under the lights.
It was the first-ever competitive youth game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as the young Blues showed the senior side how it was done.
Which player do you think could be next to shine in Everton’s first team? 🤩
There's some really exciting youngsters currently at Finch Farm 🔥
Having taken an early lead through Shea Pita, Everton found themselves trailing at the break.
A sensational strike from Graham in the final seconds of the 90 minutes sent the game to extra time.
Ray Robert was the man to seal the victory before an own goal eased the nerves in the final minutes.
That wraps up tonight’s coverage of the action at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but keep your eyes peeled on Everton News for more reaction from tonight’s game.
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[Link]FULL-TIME: EVERTON 4-2 IPSWICH
And that’s the full-time whistle as Everton secure a spot in the quarter final!
[Link]OWN GOAL! EVERTON SURELY CLINCH VICTORY
You won’t see many own goals like this. The Ipswich goalkeeper runs out of his area to head away a long ball, but he heads it against his own man as the ball pings into the empty net.
[Link]Yellow card for Charlie Stewart
Not a great challenge from the Everton substitute. Good opportunity for the visitors.
[Link]Wren goes close
He’s been fantastic since he was brought on and Wren had no other option but to shoot. Close but not close enough.
[Link]Can Everton hang on?
What a game we have been treated to tonight. Braiden Graham has really turned it on in the latter stages of this game and his quality has shone through to potentially send Everton to the next round.
[Link]Extra-time break
The first 15 minutes of extra-time is now over. Much better from Everton, but another goal is needed to prevent penalties.
[Link]Another chance missed
Akarakiri sends the ball into the box, but Wren can’t send his header goalbound.
This is much better from the Toffees!
[Link]Free-kick Everton
The Super Bowl may have been on Sunday, but an Ipswich defender has just been penalised for a horse collar-style foul.
Free kick comes to nothing, though.
[Link]BIG CHANCE!
Braiden Graham does so well to send Akarakiri one-on-one with the Ipswich goalkeeper, but he skies his shot.
[Link]Extra time is now underway
Everton have the wind in their sails now as 30 more minutes lies ahead at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
[Link]Full-time: Everton 2-2 Ipswich Town
He’s done virtually nothing throughout the second 45 minutes, but Braiden Graham scores a stunning goal to send this game to extra time.
[Link]Silly foul given away
Ipswich drag Everton into the corner flag and Everton bite to give away a daft free kick. One minute left.
[Link]Big chance squandered
Everton had a great opportunity down the left side, but Wren was unable to pick out a man after being played in by Graham.
[Link]Five minutes to go
It’s now or never for Everton as another Ipswich player goes down with cramp.
[Link]Drinks break
Yes, you heard that right. The players are taking an opportunity to grab a word from their manager as the Ipswich goalkeeper receives treatment again.
[Link]Everton substitution
ON: Charlie Stewart
Off: Rocco Lambert
A really good showing from the Everton right-back.
[Link]Nearing the final 10 minutes
We’re nearly down to the final 10 minutes and Everton are looking tired.
[Link]Yellow card for Braiden Graham
It’s not been his night so far and Graham has just picked up a yellow for arguing with the referee.
[Link]OFF THE LINE
That’s more like it. Shea Pita forces a save and Kean Wren almost has an immediate impact, but his rebound is blocked on the line.
[Link]More subs are coming
Southern is lining up more changes as Lukjanciks receives treatment after being wiped out from a free kick.
[Link]Everton struggling to get a hold on the game
It’s not been the electric start that we saw in the first half. Everton must step things up!
[Link]It’s all kicking off!
Braiden Graham gets involved unnecessarily after Louis Poland threw the ball off the opponent’s head. Yellow card for the Everton left-back.
[Link]Everton have to be quicker
Ipswich are right up for this! Everton have got to be quicker in their passes and movement.
[Link]Will Keith Southern make changes?
Not long until we’re back underway and it will be interesting to see whether any changes are made.
Expect Southern to keep it the same for another 10 minutes.
[Link]Half-time: Everton 1-2 Ipswich
It’s half time here at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton took the lead early on, but quickly conceded and Ipswich have crept in front.
The Blues remain well in this tie, but they are going to need to find that finishing touch to turn things around.
[Link]Everton pushing but Ipswich are comfortable
The young Blues are pushing for an equaliser of their own, but the visitors remain fairly comfortable.
Southern will have some stern words to say at the break. Around five minutes remaining.
[Link]Deja Vu for Everton
Just days after the capitulation against Bournemouth and the U18s are showing the senior side they are capable of matching their efforts.
[Link]Ipswich take the lead
Keith Southern will be furious with Everton’s tame defending!
Sidney Eldred hands the visitors the lead with a goal from inside the box.
[Link]Lambert sees yellow
Rocco Lambert has his name taken by the referee for a late challenge. A long way to go on a yellow card.
[Link]Good response from Everton
It has been just about all Everton since the equaliser. Graham has had some good moments, but the Toffees are just lacking the final touch.
[Link]Braiden Graham goes close
Akarakiri plays in Graham with a brilliant through ball. A sensational first touch from the forward, but he tries to chip the goalkeeper. Corner kick for Everton.
[Link]Non-stop action to start the game
Ipswich goalscorer Charlie Compton looks set to be replaced after he collided with the post whilst stretching to score the equaliser.
[Link]GOAL 1-0 Everton!
SHEA PITA! A stunning ball into Lambert on the right side from Braiden Graham. Lambert then plays the ball into Shea Pita, who smashes the ball home.
[Link]Kick-off
The referee has blown his whistle and Everton get us underway at the Hill Dickinson Stadium!
[Link]Keith Southern on the Hill Dickinson Stadium
🗣️ “Certainly played in worse [stadia] I can tell you that!”
“Really looking forward to it. It’s an exciting tie for these boys and the staff.”
[Link]Douglass Lukjanciks keeps the armband
After becoming the hero in the previous round, Lukjanciks retains the captain’s armband.
Lukjanciks made three saves in the penalty shootout against West Ham United to send the Blues through to tonight’s game.
[Link]Everton U18s XI
Lukjanciks; Lambert, Poland, Evans, McEveley; Matos, Pita, Akarakiri; Loney, Nsangou, Graham.
Subs: Patrick, Stewart, Wren, Robert, Murdock, Doughty, Billington.
[Link]Who is Braiden Graham?
He’s the youngster on everyone’s lips on Merseyside. Braiden Graham is quickly catching the attention of the senior coaches at Everton.
The youngster has already scored three goals in his two appearances in the FA Youth Cup this season.
Graham has also been called up to first team training this season after netting seven goals in the Premier League 2.
You can find out more in our recent article on who is Braiden Graham?
[Link]How to watch
Everton’s U18s face Ipswich Town at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and fans that are not attending can watch through EvertonTV.
We have a guide of how to watch Everton U18s vs Ipswich, click the link to find out more.
[Link]What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 7pm GMT. Live from the new state-of-the-art home on the Liverpool docks.
[Link]Everton U18s vs Ipswich Town
Welcome to Everton News’ live coverage of Everton U18s vs Ipswich Town in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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