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Everton Under-21st faced Leicester City in the Premier League 2.
Jonathan Burnett
Tue 17 December 2024 21:40, UK
Omari Benjamin’s individual goal for Everton Under-21s against Leicester City shows that he’s ready to make an impact for Sean Dyche on the big stage.
The 19-year-old winger dribbled his way through the Leicester defence to give Paul Tait’s young Toffees a 1-0 lead in their Premier League 2 match, only for the hosts to equalise in second-half stoppage time.
Harrison Armstrong got the assist for the Welshman’s 83rd-minute strike, and while the former has made his first-team debut this season, Benjamin is yet to make the step up.
Speaking to the club’s website, Tait said: “We got the goal late on – Omari picked it up deep and drove at them, it was a really good individual goal – but just couldn’t hang on for long enough.
“But there were loads of positives. It was nice to see Omari get a goal – we’re disappointed we didn’t get more goals to be honest.”
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Benjamin came back into the starting side for the Blues’ Under-21s in place of Armando Broja – making his own step up to the first team after injury – and could be set to follow in the Albanian’s footsteps.
The teenager has already netted five goals in this season’s Premier League 2 – more than any Toffees first-team player has managed in the top-flight proper – and could bring that ability to Dyche’s side.
Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche’s Everton first-team have struggled to create in the final third this season [Credit: Imago]
Evertonians have long bemoaned the lack of attacking output Dyche’s style of play facilitates, with preferred centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin having netted just twice so far this term.
In behind his number nine, Dyche has favoured Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil, and though both players have been the Blues’ shining lights this season, the latter is now out with a knee injury.
Potentially losing McNeil for the busiest period of the season will leave Dyche assessing his options, and with January transfer funds still unknown, Benjamin could be given the chance his form has warranted.
In other Everton news, a new-look executive team is set to decide Dyche’s future upon Dan Friedkin’s arrival at Goodison Park.
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