It was ten versus ten by the end. A proper Merseyside derby, some would say.
Everton U21s and Liverpool U21s shared a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on the opening day of the Premier League 2 season, but it was most notable for a late bundle that led to Braiden Graham’s red card.
Liverpool went ahead inside 13 minutes. Jack Patterson had it level again within four. From there it was fairly even until the closing stages, when tempers flared.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Harvey Davies, was dismissed first, for hauling down substitute Justin Clarke.
Graham followed him off deep into stoppage time, sent off after reacting to a bad challenge from a Liverpool midfielder that led to said bundle.
Everton had also seen a goal chalked off shortly before that, with the referee failing to play advantage — a decision that added to the frustration around what was already an ill-tempered game.
Graham is just18 and has been the name on everyone’s lips at Finch Farm this season.
He scored four times in a single game against Ipswich in April and finished last season with 12 PL2 goals, form that’s already earned him time training with Moyes’ first-team squad and some first XI game time in pre-season.
This one, though, will cost him — he’s now set to sit out Everton’s next PL2 fixture through suspension.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Finney, Van Schoor, Tamen, Thomas, Foster, Graham, J Patterson (Gomez 75′), Loney (Clarke 67′), Matos, Catesby (Lambert 60′).
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