Key points
Everton U21s took the lead but found themselves losing the game at Walton Hall Park against Sunderland on Friday evening.
Paul Tait’s side were handed the lead by Demi Akarikiri, but a mad three-minute spell saw the visitors turn the game on its head.
Braiden Graham was quiet yet again, but he did not have the goal to his name like he has in his last two outings for the U18s and U21s.
Everton are in danger of missing out on the Premier League 2 play-offs, with the dropped points at Finch Farm and Walton Hall Park proving costly.
It was a frustrating night for Everton who are only left with themselves to blame.
Where do you stand on Braiden Graham… would you give him his debut? 🎯
You can look back on the key moments from the game between Everton’s U21s and Sunderland below.
- READ MORE: Everton U21s vs Sunderland: Premier League 2 preview, tickets, and how to watch Braiden Graham live
Full-time: Everton 1-2 Sunderland
Everton have fallen to defeat against Sunderland as they drop points from a winning position for the second time in a matter of days.
[Link]Reece Welch heads wide from a corner
That will probably be it from Walton Hall Park as Welch misses his headed opportunity form a corner.
[Link]There’s the chance…
Graham with THE chance to level the scoring and he places his header straight at the goalkeeper.
[Link]Stop in play
There’ll be a few minutes added on after a Sunderland player receives treatment for a head injury.
[Link]Almost an instant goal from Loney
Davis gets a cross in from the right-back spot and the Sunderland goalkeeper fumbles it, but it bounces out for a corner before Loney can tap it in.
[Link]Fantastic work from Graham
Everton are pushing and everything positive is coming through Graham after his fantastic build-up play, but his shot is eventually saved.
[Link]Corner to Everton
Van Schoor does well to catch Sunderland on the break. He plays the ball into Ebere who earns a corner from his deflected shot.
[Link]Free-kick to Everton
Van Schoor wins a free-kick in a very dangerous position. Graham steps up.
[Link]Braiden Graham taking up the quarterback role
With Olayiwola now off, Graham has returned to the strike position, but he is once again finding himself playing that Harry Kane-esque role where he drops way too deep.
[Link]Another fine stop from Lukjanciks
Lukjanciks has bounced back from his error for the opening goal and he’s just kept Everton in this game.
[Link]Boakye squanders another chance
Boakye played in behind by Reece Welch, but he squanders yet another golden opportunity.
[Link]Graham almost scores a beauty
What a goal that would have been. Graham has looked so much more effective on the left-wing.
He uses the defender and the wind to whip a curled effort goal bound – so close!
[Link]Ebere should have scored
Just like Boakye in the first half, Coby Ebere wastes a great opportunity to level from inside the box.
[Link]Brilliant save from Lukjanciks
He’s just made up for his mistake in the first half. Poor defending from Everton which forces Lukjanciks into a fine save from a powerful strike on goal.
[Link]Everton struggling to get going
Sloppy from Everton. Sunderland get a shot on goal which is deflected out for a corner.
[Link]Back underway
Sunderland get the ball rolling again. Work for Everton to do but they are more than capable of scoring twice.
[Link]Get Boakye on the ball
Everton have to get back on the front foot. When they were in possession they were in control of this game.
Boakye has the beating of the left-back, which Tait will surely be telling his players in the dressing room.
[Link]Everton only have themselves to blame
The Young Blues made a really good start to the game yet came undone at the first sign of any pressure from the visitors.
Tait’s side have proven they can get in behind Sunderland, but the attack looked static for a lot of that first-half.
[Link]Half-time: Everton 1-2 Sunderland
A strong end to the half from Paul Tait’s side, but another collapse from a winning position sees them head into the break trailing.
[Link]Boakye misses a golden chance
That would have been one of the team goals of the season, but Kingsford Boakye misses from inside the box.
He has to do better from that distance. No control in his shot at all.
[Link]Paul Tait instructing Braiden Graham
You can hear Paul Tait shouting: “Not too deep, Braiden!” from the sideline.
[Link]Save from Lukjanciks
An effort from inside the box is saved with strong hands from the Everton goalkeeper. Everton need to get a handle on this game.
[Link]Graham almost makes it level
A slip from the goalkeeper offered Graham an open goal, but the Sunderland defender managed to get to the ball first.
[Link]Braiden Graham forced to drop deep
Graham has barely had a touch of the ball again and he’s now found himself dropping all the way back to the right-back spot to get himself involved.
[Link]Almost 3-1 Sunderland
Everton have fallen to pieces. One pass and Sunderland can cut straight through the Young Blues.
[Link]GOAL Sunderland take the lead
And just like that, Everton find themselves behind. A penalty awarded against Thomas and the Geragusian scores from the spot.
[Link]GOAL Sunderland are level
Everton cut through like a hot knife through butter, but Lukjanciks really should have done better with Abdullahi’s shot.
[Link]GOAL EVERTON! AKARAKIRI 1-0
Terrible defending from Sunderland as a bodged clearance falls kindly to the feet of Demi Akarakiri, who slots the ball home calmly.
[Link]Overhit cross from Van Schoor
This is so much better than Monday afternoon from Everton. Still yet to find the end product, but much more promising.
[Link]Lukjanciks makes a smart stop
Douglass Lukjanciks forced into a smart save from a wayward cross from the Sunderland right winger.
[Link]Good start from Everton
A stunning long ball from Aled Thomas to find Boakye, but the winger cannot bring it under control. Positive stuff from the Young Blues.
[Link]Paul Tait hails Braiden Graham
“He’s had a consistent season. He’s scored throughout, but he’s red-hot at the moment in terms of his goals,” said Tait.
“His all-round game has been good. There’s areas we’re working on to make him better every day. He’s got the attitude and desire to get better.”
Everton U18s are in action tomorrow
As the wait for a first-team match continues, don’t forget Everton’s U18s are in action on Saturday (12:30pm GMT) against Middlesbrough at Finch Farm.
[Link]Shea Pita makes the squad
After his goal for the U18s at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last week and his appearance for the U21s on Monday, Shea Pita gets another call-up.
[Link]All eyes on Braiden Graham again
It is Graham’s third start in eight games, but can he make it three goals in three?
The forward has been in fine form in the Premier League 2 having already netted eight goals.
[Link]Francis Gomez loses his spot
After almost being sent off against Burnley, Francis Gomez has been removed from the starting XI.
Paul Tait was not impressed with the midfielder at Finch Farm and he’s made that known by starting Malik Olayiwola.
[Link]Everton U21 team news has landed
Lukjanciks; Samuels-Smith, Thomas, Welch, Van Schoor; Bates, Olayiwola; Boakye, Akarakiri; Ebere; Graham.
Substitutes: Gospel-Eze, Davis, Gomez, Pita, Loney.
[Link]Everton U21s land Borussia Dortmund tie
Everton have now learned they will be facing Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals of the Premier League International Cup.
Date, time and venue are all still to be confirmed.
[Link]How to watch
Everton U21s vs Sunderland will be played at Walton Hall Park, where fans can attend to watch in person.
Alternatively, you can watch the game streamed through EvertonTV, but stick with Everton News for comprehensive coverage of the game.
[Link]What time is kick-off?
Kick-off between Paul Tait’s Everton U21s and Sunderland at Walton Hall Park is at 7pm GMT.
[Link]Everton U21s vs Sunderland
Welcome to Everton News’ coverage of Everton U21s vs Sunderland, with live updates from the Premier League 2 clash at Walton Hall Park.
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