Branthwaite & Patterson Help U21s Win Seven-Goal Thriller

Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson stepped up their injury recoveries by starting for Everton Under-21s in a thrilling 4-3 victory against Sunderland on Sunday.

The duo have not featured for Sean Dyche’s Senior Men's Team since the end of last season, having sustained groin and hamstring injuries respectively.

Subsequently missing pre-season and not kicking a ball competitively for several months, there is understandably a need to be cautious and patient with their returns, but both emerged from the Premier League 2 fixture at Southport with welcome game-time and match fitness under their belts.

The visitors proved to be a good test for the pair and Paul Tait’s side, with a handful of several senior fringe players eager to force their way into the in-form Championship side. Patterson, operating at right wing-back, also had the impressive Tommy Watson to contend with.

The game was well contested in the first half, with both sides up for the fight from the off. An early chance fell the way of Bradley Moonan, who saw his header saved by Kelechi Chibueze, while at the other end former Blues Academy defender Joe Anderson tried an audacious 40-yard lob which clipped the top of the bar.

George Pickford saved well from Milan Aleksic on 20 minutes but could do nothing about the opening goal moments later. Winger Watson drifted centrally and arrowed a left-footed effort in off the post from the edge of the box.

The Blues responded immediately, however. Left-back Isaac Heath did well to get to the byline and his cutback was duly converted by the lively Omari Benjamin from close range.

Substitute Owen Barker, on early in the first half in place of Martin Sherif, had an effort blocked after great work by Charlie Whitaker, but it would be the Black Cats who took the lead before the interval. Watson carried the ball centrally and played in Adil Aouchiche to finish beyond Pickford.

Tait’s troops were level seconds after the restart when Benjamin was brought down inside the box and Whitaker tucked home from 12 yards.

The duo combined again on 64 minutes when Whitaker’s shot was saved and the rebound fell to Benjamin to grab his second.

Not to be counted out, Sunderland responded six minutes later through Abdoulah Ba – the France Under-20 international latching onto a pass from Harrison Jones to make it 3-3.

With both sides continuing to push for a winner, Pickford produced a fine one-handed save from Luke Bell, while captain Luke Butterfield smacked the crossbar with a well-struck free-kick.

Heath – switched to the right when Patterson was withdrawn as planned on the hour mark – showed more attacking qualities and created a chance of his own with 10 minutes left to play. And but for the face of Chibueze, he might have clinched the game.

Instead, it was his fellow full-back Jack Butler who did just that. Jack Patterson’s cross from the right fell perfectly for him to race onto and drill into the back of the net with two minutes of normal time left.

Branthwaite completed his full 90-minute runout with an acrobatic clearance off the line in added time to ensure victory.

An entertaining game and a hard-fought three points for the young Blues, with the added positives of two key Senior Team defenders another big plus point for everyone at Everton.