Martin Sherif of Everton
Everton Academy

Everton u21s 3-2 Man City: Braiden Graham scores again as Martin Sherif nets winners

Stephen Hurrell

Everton’s u21 side beat Manchester City’s u21s in a dramatic finale at Finch Farm this weekend.

Paul Tait started a mix of youth and experience against the visiting City side. George Pickford started in goal, while Reece Welch and Eli Campbell returned after a spell on the first team bench to provide experience in defence.

Youngsters Malik Olayiwola (17) and Braiden Graham (18) both started the game alongside the likes of Omari Benjamin and Kingsford Boakye in attack.

Everton took an early lead through young left back Josh van Schoor, who has stepped up well to u21 football this season after starring for the u18s. He scored his first goal for the u21 side after good work by Omari Benjamin early in the game.

City soon equalised and took the lead in the 38th minute through the impressive Warhurst, but Everton hit back immediately through Braiden Graham.

The Northern Irish youngster was once again playing off the left of an attacking three and scored his 13th goal in just 20 games across the various youth teams this season. It follows a superb double last time out in the 5-1 victory of RB Leipzig.

He was set up by good wing play by former AC Milan attacker Kingsford Boakye and finished well from inside the area.

Everton soaked up City pressure in the second half and won a late penalty through Martin Sherif, who returned from an injury-hit loan at Rotherham. He was fouled to win the penalty and scored from the spot to give Everton a late win.

The match was a crucial one against one of the best u21 sides in the country as victory moved Everton into the top 16 of the new-look Premier League 2. The top 16 sides in the division qualify for the end of season playoffs and qualification for the PL International Cup next year.

Everton’s side was without centre half Will Tamen, who started Tranmere’s 4-2 defeat to Cambridge. They were also without right back George Finney, who played for Ayr United, and Francis Okoronkwo, who scored his first goal for Doncaster after joining them on loan in January.

Isaac Heath started for Accrington Stanley once again, while right back Roman Dixon was unavailable after securing his loan move to League One promotion chasers Stockport County.