Key points
Braiden Graham scored twice as Everton U21s beat Watford 3-2 in their play-off clash.
Paul Tait’s Young Blues were on the verge of a penalty shootout before Graham scored a sensational diving header.
That is now six goals in two games for the 18-year-old as he sent a clear message to David Moyes following his comments during the Everton press conference earlier.
Everton went two goals up, but then conceded twice in regular time, before securing a stunning win in the final minutes of extra time.
Where do you stand on Braiden Graham… would you give him his debut? 🎯
The Toffees will now head into the next round, with the play-off tournament victory keeping their season alive.
That’s a wrap
Thank you for tuning in to Everton News’ coverage of that dramatic game.
We will bring you live updates from the next round, but in the meantime head over to TalkingPoints to have your say on all things Everton.
[Link]Another U21s game to remember
They certainly don’t make it easy for themselves! What a night of football and Walton Hall Park for Tait’s men.
Shea Pita was excellent, but Graham shows yet again why he is knocking on David Moyes’ door.
[Link]Full-time: Everton 3-2 Watford
It was the last kick of the game and Braiden Graham has been Everton’s match-winner yet again.
[Link]WHAT A GOAL!
Kingsford Boakye puts the cross in and it’s Graham with the diving header! Wow! Just WOW!
[Link]Graham almost wins it
Braiden Graham drops into a pocket of space and just bulldozes his way into the box, but the ball is poked away just before he got to shoot.
[Link]Benjamin again
It’s that man again, but it is unfortunately the same outcome. Omari Benjamin works some space and takes aim from outside the box, but it goes wide.
[Link]Everton pushing for the winner
We’re back underway and Everton are pushing for the winning goal.
[Link]Graham puts in a teasing cross
A good cross from Graham, but there is no one to get on the end of his free-kick.
[Link]Benjamin misses again
It’s just not happening for Omari Benjamin as he heads over from a corner.
[Link]Paul Tait isn’t impressed with the referee
I can’t repeat what Tait has just said about the referee, but let’s just say he disagreed with his decision to give Watford a free-kick.
[Link]Graham goes close
A brilliant jink from Graham before forcing the goalkeeper into a save. It was Iliman Ndiaye-esque.
[Link]Everton have been poor this half
Everton grew into the first half. The same cannot be said for this second 45 minutes. Hopefully it’s a classic case of the commentator’s curse.
[Link]Not long to go now
Around eight minutes plus stoppage time remains at Walton Hall Park. The sun has now disappeared and it’s become slightly chilly.
[Link]This game screams extra time
Strap in, folks, as this game will go to extra time if it remains a draw after the 90 minutes.
[Link]Watford pushing hard for a goal
Watford are turning the screw, with Everton under serious pressure.
[Link]Joel Catesby gets another run out
Following his horrific injury earlier in the season, Catesby is going to get a good 25 minutes under his belt.
[Link]Referee is dishing out the cards
In the last few minutes both Callum Bates and Aled Thomas have had their names taken.
[Link]Harvey Foster fortunate not to see red
Already on a yellow card, Foster has mistakingly picked the ball up thinking it had gone out of play. Would have been harsh, but still…
[Link]Graham tries the audacious
Graham turns just inside the Watford half and attempts to lob the goalkeeper.
Was an easy pass out to Shea Pita, who was not impressed.
[Link]Goal – Watford equalise
A tidy finish from Remiero Moulton inside the Everton box. No chance for Pickford.
Everton 2-2 Watford
[Link]Benjamin goes close again
Pita gets the ball into the box, which takes a big deflection and Omari Benjamin attempts an overhead kick… close.
[Link]This game is not over
Not the way Everton wanted to see out the half. Tait’s side handed Watford a way back into the game and an interesting second half awaits.
[Link]Half-time: Everton 2-1 Watford
That was the very final kick of the half. No idea what Olayiwola was thinking there.
All he had to do was head away what was a poor corner, but instead he’s allowed the ball to go straight through and into the path of the Watford player.
[Link]Goal for Watford
A corner comes in and first man Olayiwola tries to volley it away instead of heading it. A terrible mistake from the Everton man and Watford tap it in.
[Link]Watford should have scored
A Watford free-kick bobbles around in the box, but they are unable to convert. Should really have scored.
[Link]Watford coaches having a good whinge
These Watford coaches certainly know how to whinge. They have been non-stop at the officials. They’ve been complaining about a possible foul throw for well over a minute.
[Link]Braiden Graham pulls one wide
Another opportunity for Graham. He’s pulled this effort well, well wide.
[Link]Opportunity for Benjamin
A good cross into the box from Luca Davis, but Omari Benjamin is unable to beat the Watford goalkeeper.
[Link]Shea Pita is going to be a player
An absolute delight to watch, is Shea Pita. The tricky winger has just trailed back and put in a brilliant challenge to win the ball back.
[Link]Yellow for Harvey Foster
Not a great pass into Harvey Foster, but the 19-year-old turns into trouble and is forced to bring his man down. A yellow card all day long.
[Link]2-0 EVERTON! OWN GOAL
A Watford defender has just smashed the ball back to his goalkeeper from about 40 yards out, but the keeper is nowhere to be seen.
A bizarre goal that Everton will happily take.
[Link]Graham does it again
That’s five goals in 110 minutes of football for Graham. He’s been pretty isolated up front, but he’s taken the first opportunity he has had.
He’s worked this so, so well. Peeled away from his defender and then the touch, the finish… wow!
[Link]BRAIDEN GRAHAM SCORES!
This young man just has IT! Ball played out to him, first touch is excellent and smashes it home from the edge of the box.
[Link]What a chance!
Braiden Graham does so well to play in Callum Bates, but the midfielder fails to take it first time and the chance fades away. What an opportunity.
[Link]Benjamin forces a comfortable save
Everton’s first real possession in the Watford half and Omari Benjamin forces an easy save for the goalkeeper.
Tait does not sound overly happy on the sideline.
[Link]What an interception from Welch
Watford are in behind and their right-winger tries to slide in their striker. Reece Welch makes a heroic interception to deny a certain goal.
[Link]Watford have came to play
It is the visitors that have started off the better side. Some good passes being made by Watford, but no clear chances yet.
[Link]Fun fact
This is the same referee that pulled his groin and had to be replaced in Everton’s U21s clash against Burnley back in February.
[Link]10 minutes until kick-off
Go get the kettle on and settle in as Everton News brings you live updates from Walton Hall Park.
[Link]George Pickford back between the sticks
Having spent some time away on loan with Southport, George Pickford is back in goal for Everton.
The 19-year-old was also in goal for last week’s game against Ipswich.
[Link]Keep an eye on Shea Pita
Braiden Graham may well be the man of the moment, but 16-year-old Shea Pita is also in hot form.
He has scored once and provided an assist in his last two games for the U21s.
[Link]What David Moyes said about Braiden Graham today
“Everybody wants good young players to come through, and I am pleased that Braiden is doing really well,” Moyes told the media.
“I think he has got a bit to go before he is at our level, but I am really pleased; if he does that, then he will get more noticed.”
You can read the full piece here.
Braiden Graham makes the starting XI
Everton will be without Beto for the West Ham trip on Saturday, which had some speculating over a potential senior call-up for Graham.
However, he is playing for the U21s tonight instead.
[Link]Everton U21s starting XI vs Watford
Here is your Young Blues side for tonight’s game at Walton Hall Park…
Everton U21s miss out on Premier League international Cup
Everton U21s have missed out on a top 16 finish, which will mean Paul Tait’s side will not compete in next season’s Premier League International Cup.
The Young Blues were recently eliminated from the competition against Borussia Dortmund’s youth side.
[Link]How to watch Everton U21s vs Watford
Everton U21s vs Watford will be held at Walton Hall Park, with fans able attend the game in person.
However, 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 Watford kick-off?
Kick-off between Everton U21s and Watford at Walton Hall Park is at 7pm GMT.
[Link]Everton U21s vs Watford LIVE
Welcome to Everton News’ coverage of Everton U21s vs Watford, with live updates from the play-off game at Walton Hall Park.
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