Everton U21s threw away a two-goal lead as Braiden Graham had a mixed evening against Burnley at Finch Farm.
Graham opened up the scoring for Paul Tait’s Everton and Kingsford Boakye doubled the lead for the Toffees in the Premier League 2.
However, Graham gave away a penalty, which allowed Kian McMahon-Brown to bring the visitors back into the game.
A familiar face was spotted on the sidelines as David Moyes’ former set piece coach Charlie Adam barked orders from the Burnley dugout.
The Clarets got exactly what they deserved as Ellis Clark scored a last-gasp equaliser, with Everton’s youngsters left with a lot to improve.
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 🔥
Graham will grab the headlines once again, but not for all the right reasons after his clumsy challenge allowed the visitors back into the game.
- READ MORE: Everton already have Ellis Simms lesson as David Moyes weighs up Braiden Graham selection
Braiden Graham endured a mixed evening
Once again, Graham was kept fairly quiet in the game before stepping up with a stunning goal.
The 18-year-old was just too keen to get involved as he trailed all the way back to his own box to make a clumsy challenge.
[Link]Everton only have themselves to blame
That penalty really did change the game for Everton. The Blues only looked like building on their lead and Graham gave the Clarets a way back into the tie.
[Link]Full-time: Everton 2-2 Burnley
Paul Tait’s face says it all. Everton were so comfortable at 2-0 up and that penalty completely turned the tie.
A lot to improve on for the Young Blues at Finch Farm.
[Link]GOAL: Burnley get what they deserve
Ellis Clark gets the equalising goal for the visitors as Everton throw away a two-goal lead.
[Link]McMahon-Brown misses again
It’s that man again! McMahon-Brown should have a hat-trick today, but his finishing as not been good enough… thankfully.
[Link]Burnley should be level!
How has McMahon-Brown missed that? He’s missed two huge chances despite scoring his penalty.
The Burnley striker is free inside the box, but sends his header well wide from point blank range.
[Link]Lukjanciks almost caught out
Douglass Lukjanciks has done well to stop a wayward cross from lobbing him after it picked up in the wind.
[Link]Charlie Adam giving a helping hand
As the rain pours down at Finch Farm, Charlie Adam is helping the fourth official to get sorted for the final minutes of the game.
[Link]The referee has pulled his groin…
Minutes remain, but the referee’s race is run. Could just hear him say ‘my groin’ as he walked over to the touchline.
Going to take a few minutes for the fourth official to get his equipment sorted.
[Link]Substitution
Off: Ebere
On: Loney
Graham will likely move out wide as U18s striker Ceiran Loney enters the game.
[Link]Everton cannot keep the ball
Paul Tait must be pulling his hair out in the Finch Farm dugout as he watches his side constantly turn over possession.
[Link]Burnley pushing for an equaliser
Just 10 minutes remain now and the visitors have not given up on taking a point away from this game.
[Link]15 minutes remaining at Finch Farm
Everton have been able to get a handle back on the game after the Burnley goal.
Only 15 minutes remain as the temperature drops at Finch Farm.
[Link]GOAL: Burnley halve the deficit
And just like that, Burnley are back in the game. McMahon-Brown fires the penalty just beyond Lukjanciks. Everton 2-1 Burnley
[Link]GOAL! KINGSFORD BOAKYE!
That should see Everton secure all three points!
Callum Bates picks up the ball and slots in Boakye, who absolutely cannons it beyond the Burnley goalkeeper.
[Link]Graham goes close again
A direct run from his own half sees Graham then send a shot just wide of the post. Boakye did not look impressed as he demanded the ball out wide.
[Link]Graham is so prolific
Much like Thursday evening, Graham has barely had a touch of the ball, but he is the one to provide the moment of magic to open the scoring.
[Link]GOAL! BRAIDEN GRAHAM!
What an excellent finish from Braiden Graham! That’s his 13th of the season in the Premier League 2.
Good work from Ebere to feed the ball into Graham, who shift it onto his right foot and curls it into the far corner.
[Link]Another save from Lukjanciks
Johnson takes aim from outside the box, but the Everton goalkeeper makes a smart save.
[Link]We’re back underway
Let’s hope for a better second half as Braiden Graham gets us back underway.
No changes from Paul Tait.
[Link]Lukjanciks saves Everton
It is only Douglass Lukjanciks heading into the break with much credit from that first-half.
The 18-year-old has stepped up well to his first Premier League 2 game of the season.
[Link]Big improvements needed from Everton
There was a real lack of cutting edge from the Blues in that opening 45 minutes. Burnley enjoyed the best opportunity just before the whistle as Tait was left pining for the break.
It could have been so much worse for the Young Blues, with Francis Gomez extremely lucky not to have been given his marching orders.
[Link]Half-time: Everton 0-0 Burnley
Well, that wasn’t the best of first halves. Paul Tait will have some choice words for his players in the dressing room.
[Link]What a save from Lukjanciks!
It’s McMahon-Brown again. He is one-on-one with the Everton goalkeeper, but Lukjanciks makes a fantastic stop with his legs to keep the score level.
[Link]Shouts for a Burnley penalty
McMahon-Brown goes down in the box, but it looks like he throws his leg out to make contact.
The forward then sees an effort saved by Lukjanciks.
[Link]Gomez removed after lucky escape
Paul Tait is taking no chances as he withdraws Francis Gomez almost immediately.
Off: Gomez
On: Olayiwola
[Link]Gomez escapes a red card
Wow, Gomez is one lucky man! Already on a yellow card and the Everton midfielder throws himself into a really poor challenge.
How he hasn’t been sent off is a mystery!
[Link]Graham goes close!
An instinctive shot from the edge of the box goes close. Graham looks like the player who is most likely to make the difference in this game.
[Link]A familiar face in the Burnley dugout
Former Everton coach Charlie Adam has just been spotted barking instructions to the Burnley U21s.
He joined David Moyes’ coaching staff last year, but he didn’t return for this season.
[Link]Best chance of the game
Braiden Graham with a clever back-heel into the path of Boakye. His shot is saved, but the linesman’s flag is raised quickly anyway.
[Link]Boakye receiving treatment
Kingsford Boakye has just received some treatment after going down as a Burnley defender steps on his foot. Free-kick to Everton.
[Link]Burnley sitting deep
Burnley look like a well-drilled side and they are getting every man behind the ball when it’s at the feet of an Everton player.
[Link]Surely that’s a penalty!
Gomez has been booked for a challenge and his protests after the Everton midfielder is pushed down inside the box. Nothing given from the referee.
[Link]The wind is picking up at Finch Farm
Neither side has really made an impact in the game, but the wind is certainly blowing at Finch Farm!
[Link]Braiden Graham is showing his class
Graham does ever so well to drag the ball out of danger and earn Everton a free kick. This boy has some real technical ability about him.
[Link]No early chanes
Everton have established themselves in the game with the lion’s share of possession.
No early chances have been forged, though.
[Link]We are underway at Finch Farm
The referee has blown his whistle and Burnley get us underway in this Premier League 2 clash.
[Link]Shea Pita handed U21 call up
After dazzling at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday and scoring the opening goal, Shea Pita features on the bench at Finch Farm.
[Link]Braiden Graham starts again
The youngster who everyone at Everton is talking about makes a start up front for Paul Tait.
Graham has scored seven goals in his 12 Premier League 2 appearances this season.
Read more about who is Braiden Graham by clicking the link.
[Link]Douglass Lukjanciks earns promotion
Douglass Lukjanciks has been the Everton U18s goalkeeper this season.
However, he has now been promoted to the U21 side following George Pickford’s loan move to Southport.
[Link]Everton U21 team news is in!
Lukjanciks; Samuels-Smith, Thomas, Welch, Van Schoor; Bates, Gomez; Boakye, Akarakiri; Ebere; Graham.
Substitutes: Patrick, Moonan, Olayiwola, Pita, Loney.
[Link]Players to watch out for
Team news should be just around the corner, but Everton News has already made a three-man list of players to keep an eye out for.
Malik Olayiwola, Ray Robert and Reece Welch are all impressing alongside the likes of Braiden Graham, and you can read more about them by clicking the link!
[Link]How to watch
Unlike Thursday’s U18s FA Youth Cup clash, this Premier League 2 game will not be open to the public at Finch Farm.
However, official members can watch a live stream via EvertonTV, or you can keep up to date with live updates here at Everton News.
[Link]What time is kick-off?
Kick-off from Finch Farm is just over an hour away, with the action getting underway at 4pm GMT.
[Link]Everton U21s vs Burnley
Welcome to Everton News’ live coverage of Everton U21s vs Burnley in the Premier League 2 from Finch Farm.
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