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Post by Everton News. on Jan 31, 2020 23:05:58 GMT
Jarrad Branthwaite netted his first Everton goal but a disappointed David Unsworth admitted his side could have no complaints after they were beaten 4-1 at Manchester City.
Branthwaite, signed from Carlisle United earlier this month, nodded in late on at Academy Stadium with the Blues already four goals behind.
The result leaves Everton seventh in the Premier League 2 table after their first defeat in five games in the competition.
“We were beaten by the better team,” Unsworth conceded. “We had a plan that was working but then we went a goal down and, before we knew it, we were out of the game.
“We were poor tonight and, ironically, the only one who came out of the game with any credit was our goalkeeper, Harry Tyrer, who was terrific.
“Everyone else was below their normal standard. When you come to Manchester City, you know that if you are not at your best then you’ll be in for a tough night.”
A Toffees line-up stripped of most of its experienced players just couldn’t cope with the hosts and 17-year-old Dutch striker Jayden Braaf was the tormentor-in-chief.
He was outstanding for City, scoring twice and looking a real threat every time he got the ball. Three times in the first half alone he got goalside of the Everton rearguard to test Tyrer.
The opening goal came on 28 minutes.
After clearing a City corner, the ball came back into the Everton box and when Branthwaite's defensive header fell to the feet of Felix Nmecha, he picked his spot beautifully.
Everton had their moments in the first period.
Great play by Seb Quirk on the left set up Dennis Adeniran in the penalty area but the midfielder scuffed his effort wide. Then, in stoppage time, Ryan Astley’s header beat the City keeper but was cleared off the line by Nmecha.
Braaf was a thorn in Everton’s side all evening and thoroughly deserved the stunning goal he scored just before the hour mark. He evaded two challenges outside the box before crashing an unstoppable shot past Tyrer.
Adrian Bernabe got the third when he placed a neat finish into the net after yet another penetrating run by Braaf.
Braaf helped himself to a second goal, and City’s fourth, when he ran through soon after to slide a low shot under Tyrer.
Everton’s consolation came eight minutes from time when Adeniran’s well-flighted corner was headed home by 17-year-old Branthwaite for his maiden goal for the Club.
The Under-23s next face a trip to Plymouth Argyle in the Premier League Cup on Monday 10 February.
Everton FC
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