Everton Loan Round-Up - 18 March

Chris Long netted his fourth goal in Brentford colours on Tuesday to help the Bees back into the Championship play-off places.

The 20-year-old striker had been an unused substitute during his loan side’s 2-1 home defeat against Cardiff City on Saturday, but was named in the starting line-up as Mark Warburton’s men travelled to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers.

Rudy Gestede gave the hosts the lead but Long struck a minute before the half-time interval to restore parity.

Blackburn regained their lead 60 seconds later, but Long – who played 71 minutes in the match – helped his side hit back again as Brentford registered a 3-2 win.

Speaking after the game, Long reflected on his loan spell so far. He said: “I'm happy to take my turns on the bench and will always be ready to come on or to start – it seems to have been working well so far.

“The gaffer trusts me to deliver and, unlike my last loan spell [with MK Dons] where I got injured and things didn't really work out, this time things are going to plan.

“It was vital we got the win [against Blackburn], but we need to keep winning to stay in contention – and I plan to help by keeping scoring whenever I get the chance.”

Elsewhere in the Championship, Conor McAleny was not involved in either of Cardiff City’s last two games against Brentford or Bournemouth.

In League One, Matthew Pennington helped Coventry City to back-to-back away wins against Chesterfield and Fleetwood Town.

The defender played 90 minutes at centre-back in both of the triumphs to help lift the Sky Blues three points clear of the relegation zone.

North of the border, Conor Grant made his fifth appearance for Motherwell, completing 65 minutes on Friday evening as Ian Baraclough’s side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Aberdeen.

Motherwell got off to an ideal start when Scott McDonald’s driven effort gave the visitors a deserved lead, but two goals in two second-half minutes resigned the Steelmen to an away loss at the Pittodrie Stadium.