Everton’s under-18s beat Ipswich Town 4-2 in the FA Youth Cup last week to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Toffees defeated Ipswich in extra time, with Keith Southern’s side showing serious attacking quality.
Ray Robert and Braiden Graham starred for the under-18s, with the latter certainly pushing for a spot in David Moyes’ first team.
Does David Moyes need to put more trust in Everton’s academy players? 😤
Surely some of these players can do better than Beto and Dwight McNeil! 😡
Everton striker Braiden Graham. Everton manager David Moyes.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Visionhaus.
Graham has been named in two matchday squads for the senior side this season, so clearly a debut is looming.
With that said, after the Youth Cup win, Robert praised the Northern Irishman’s impact.
Ray Robert praises Braiden Graham and Everton’s ‘incredible’ fans
Everton’s under-18s reportedly played in front of just under 20,000 fans at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Friday.
It was a unique experience for many of them, and speaking after the game, Robert spoke to the Toffees X account about his teammate Graham and the experience in general.
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“The lads did well,” Robert said.
“The first-half we struggled a little bit and then in the second half we came out. Braiden did well to get us back in the game and then from there we were always going to win the game.
Which player do you think could be next to shine in Everton’s first team? 🤩
There's some really exciting youngsters currently at Finch Farm 🔥
Everton's Braiden Graham inspecting the pitch before the match during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Everton. Everton midfielder Malik Olayiwola. Justin Clarke of Everton looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Accrington Stanley and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto/Matt McNulty.
“Braiden did well again (for my goal), he beat his man, went outside and then cut it back to me and then I was there to finish it.
“The first time I played here (Hill Dickinson Stadium) in front of fans, it was surreal, the noise was incredible, the fans were incredible.
“They were behind us every step of the way, they pushed us to go and win the game. To score in front of my family and friends, that was incredible.”
Braiden Graham must improve physically before senior debut
Moyes has already made it clear he wants Graham to develop physically before he considers handing him a senior debut.
Speaking last month, the Scotsman said: “I think Braiden is doing well. It’s probably at the moment that we need him to build up his physicality and his all-round speed.
“We’re pleased that we’re getting some of the young boys a chance to be around it. We’ll see how they continue.”
It’ll certainly take some time before Graham is operating as a centre-forward in the Premier League, but minutes off the bench as a winger, where physicality is less of a requirement, could be on the horizon.
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