Key points
Braiden Graham stole the headlines again after playing a role in all four of Everton U21s’ goals against Brentford.
Paul Tait’s side have now secured themselves a spot in the final four of the Professional Development League.
The star man, Graham, was in fine form yet again, with the 18-year-old scoring twice and providing the assist for the other two goals scored by Luca Davis and Demi Akarakiri.
Braiden Graham has just done this days out from Man City… 🤩
Are you watching, David Moyes? 😬
Everton were made to work for their victory, but the Young Blues showed their class in a dominant second-half display.
That does it for tonight 👋
A good night for the Young Blues and thankfully no extra-time this time.
Keep your eyes peeled at Everton News as I am about to write about that Braiden Graham masterclass I’ve just watched, which will be out in the morning!
[Link]Credit to Paul Tait 👏
Paul Tait played his role in that victory. Graham was having no luck as the striker, but moving him out to left-wing completely changed the game.
[Link]What a second-half from Everton!
Not many would have seen the game turning on its head as it did. Everton were fantastic in that second-half, with Braiden Graham leading the charge.
[Link]Full-time: Everton U21s 4-2 Brentford
The whistle has been blown at Walton Hall Park. Everton prevail and are through to the final four.
[Link]Should have been five
The ball is scrambling around in the box and Kingsford Boakye misses a sitter.
[Link]Brentford pull one back
What a lovely finish from the Brentford man. Everton caught sleeping with the game looking to be wrapped up.
[Link]BRAIDEN GRAHAM AGAIN
Another goal for Graham! The keeper really should have saved it, but Graham will happily take it.
A first time finish inside the box makes it four for Everton on the night.
[Link]What a save
Another lovely cross from Graham finds Pita, but the save from the Brentford goalkeeper is sensational.
[Link]BRAIDEN GRAHAM SCORES
That is seven in three games for Braiden Graham. He has just sat down Brentford’s giant goalkeeper. Sent him the complete wrong way.
[Link]Penalty Everton
It has become the Braiden Graham show. The winger runs freely into the box and pushes the ball past his man, who wipes him out.
[Link]More on the goal
Some really good work down the left side. Samuels-Smith is able to scoop a good ball into Braiden Graham. The 18-year-old squares up to his defender before shifting it on to his right foot and putting in a great ball for Akarakiri.
[Link]EVERTON TAKE THE LEAD
Demi Akarakiri pokes home yet another cross from Braiden Graham. Everton lead!
[Link]Brentford’s goalkeeper goes down
The Brentford goalkeeper has now gone down. Looks like he might have pulled his thigh.
[Link]Advantage Everton
The Bees have just seen another yellow card handed out. At least 35 minutes remaining for Everton to find a winner.
[Link]Red card for Brentford
A second yellow from the Brentford skipper. Stephenson was booked in the first-half for kicking the ball away. A poor challenge sees a second yellow.
[Link]Catesby should score
A cross from Pita is fumbled by the Brentford goalkeeper, but a defender is just able to prevent Catesby from poking it home.
[Link]Much better from Everton
Tait must have had some choice words to say at half-time because this looks like a different Everton side.
[Link]Everton substitution
There was a change at the break for the Young Blues.
OFF: Benjamin
ON: Catesby
[Link]Half-time thoughts
Braiden Graham was getting no change out of the Brentford centre-backs as the lone striker.
Since him and Omari Benjamin switched, things have massively changed for Graham.
Much more involved and a simply stunning cross for Davis to poke home.
Everton rode their luck for a lot of that half and Tait is going to need to get more out of Shea Pita on the right-wing if this attack is to cause more of a threat to the Bees.
[Link]Graham is coming alive
A great run from Graham into the Brentford area as the youngster is starting to heat up.
[Link]EVERTON EQUALISE
What a stunning cross from Braiden Graham and Luca Davis gets on the end of it to equalise.
That cross was incredible and the finish just as good!
[Link]Good counter attack from Everton
Everton catch the Bees on the counter, Braiden Graham gets his first real look on goal but is unable to beat the goalkeeper.
[Link]Five minutes remaining
Everton must stay switched on as they conceded late in the first half against Watford.
[Link]Braiden Graham and Omari Benjamin switch
No luck for Graham through the middle against Brentford’s big men. He has switched with Benjamin and now playing at left-wing.
[Link]Brentford have to score…
Welch misses a key header this time and provides the Brentford striker with an opportunity from six yards out, but he drags it wide.
Everton are being let off big time here.
[Link]Brentford should have scored
Reece Welch dispossessed on the edge of his own box, but the Brentford goalscorer slams it off the post.
That should have been two.
[Link]Tame effort from Benjamin
Omari Benjamin cuts inside on the edge of the box and rolls one to the goalkeeper. He had a better option in Foster.
[Link]Samuels-Smith needs to work on his shooting
Two shots from Samuels-Smith have gone well, well, well wide of the target already.
[Link]Brentford are right up for this
The Bees are loking very dangerous on the attack. Everton need to step it up.
[Link]Shea Pita has an issue
The 16-year-old winger is down and receiving treatment for a foot issue.
Thankfully, he’s back up and ready to return.
[Link]Benjamin unable to get his shot off
Omari Benjamin in behind, but a poor touch allows the goalkeeper to collect the ball. Benjamin did clatter into the Brentford keeper.
[Link]Brentford take the lead
It’s been coming… A good cross into the box sees a deflected shot off Reece Welch beat Pickford in goal.
[Link]Luca Davis is down
Right-back Luca Davis took a little while to get back to his feet after falling over the water bottles on the sideline.
[Link]Brentford go close
There’s only two minutes on the clock, but the Bees have started really well. Everton under the cosh as Brentford go close early on.
[Link]🚨 This is your 10-minute warning!
It is absolutely chucking it down at Walton Hall Park. Only 10 minutes until kick-off.
[Link]🗣️ Paul Tait has his say ahead of the game
“The good thing about it is it’s a knockout game, so the boys have to go for it and leave everything out there,” he said.
“They’ve done that in the last two games and come out the right side of it, so hopefully tonight again we can do the same.”
Win or go home for Everton’s U21s
Nothing other than a victory will do for Everton tonight. Lose and their season is over.
Last week’s game was only spared penalties following Graham’s last-minute winner.
[Link]Kingsford Boakye fails to make starting XI
Despite coming on off the bench last week against Watford and providing the winning assist, there is no room in the XI for Boakye.
Keep an eye out for him making an impact off the bench, though!
[Link]What Paul Tait said about Braiden Graham
Having score twice and providing the winning goal in extra-time, Paul Tait had some big praise for Graham:
“Braiden was outstanding and did some excellent things. He just keeps going because he’s got that fire in his belly and the determination,” he said.
Braiden Graham has another chance to impress
David Moyes called Braiden Graham up to senior training earlier in the week, but he’s back in U21 action tonight.
With six goals in his last two games, the 18-year-old will be Everton’s biggest threat.
[Link]
How to watch Everton U21s vs Brentford
Everton U21s vs Brentford is being held at Walton Hall Park, with fans able attend the game in person.
Click here to find out how you can watch the game from the comfort of your home.
But stay tuned on Everton News for live updates!
[Link]What time does Everton U21s vs Brentford kick-off?
Everton U21s and Brentford will be kicking off their quarter-final clash at 7pm (BST).
[Link]Everton U21s vs Brentford LIVE<br>
Welcome to Everton News’ coverage of Everton U21s vs Brentford, with live updates from the play-off game at Walton Hall Park.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
