Loan Watch: Armstrong’s Derby Debut & Moonan Scores

Several of Everton’s loan players were in action for their temporary clubs across the weekend. Harrison Armstrong and Bradley Moonan both made their loan debuts after securing deadline-day moves, while two Toffees goalkeepers also earned minutes.

Here’s an overview of how they, and other young Blues, performed in this week’s Loan Watch... 

Harrison Armstrong – Derby County
Opponent: Norwich City (A)
Competition: Championship
Date: Saturday 8 February   
Result: 1-1 draw
Overview: Armstrong made his debut for Derby County on Saturday, arriving onto the field on 66 minutes during his first match since joining on deadline day.

Coming on for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, the talented 18-year-old Armstrong operated in a central-midfield role.

A goal down, the visitors managed to pull one back in stoppage time through Jerry Yates’ penalty-kick.

The Rams are back in action on Tuesday evening, welcoming Oxford United in a 7.45pm (GMT) kick-off.

Bradley Moonan – Prescot Cables
Opponent: Guiseley (H)
Competition: Northern Premier League
Date: Saturday 8 February   
Result: 2-0 win
Overview: Moonan, who joined Prescot Cables on deadline day of the January transfer window, made his debut at the weekend, netting the hosts’ second goal in a 2-0 victory.

The 18-year-old centre-back converted after 68 minutes, stabbing home an effort from close range which had looped into the box from a back-post header.

Moonan and Prescot Cables travel to face Lancaster City in their next outing – a 7.45pm kick-off on Tuesday evening.

Harry Tyrer – Blackpool
Opponent: Burton Albion (A)
Competition: League One
Date: Saturday 8 February   
Result: 1-1 draw
Overview: Blackpool struck a 94^th-minute equaliser through Albie Morgan to secure a point away from home at the weekend, maintaining their unbeaten start to 2025.

Goalkeeper Tyrer played the full 90 minutes for the Seasiders, making four saves, including a crucial second-half stop, diving low to his left to deny Rumarn Burrell, and in doing so, keeping Blackpool in the game.

Rotherham United are up next for Blackpool and Tyrer – whose League One appearance on Saturday was his 21^st of the campaign.

Billy Crellin – Accrington Stanley
Opponent: AFC Wimbledon (H)
Competition: League Two
Date: Saturday 8 February   
Result: 0-0 draw
Overview: Goalkeeper Crellin earned a clean sheet for Accrington Stanley on Saturday, helping his side to a valuable point against high-flying AFC Wimbledon.

A fairly quiet outing for the on-loan shot-stopper, Crellin made just one save, denying Aron Sasu with an outstretched foot on 17 minutes.

Crellin and Stanley face a trip to Bradford City on Tuesday for their next match in League Two.

Jenson Metcalfe – Chesterfield
Opponent: Wigan Athletic (H)
Competition: League Two
Date: Thursday 6 February   
Result: 5-2 win
Overview: Metcalfe – still discovering his fitness after returing from a long-term injury lay-off – was introduced after 76 minutes in an entertaining seven-goal game on Thursday evening.

The hosts were 2-1 up at half-time, but finished the match with a 5-2 victory. The fixture was Metcalfe’s fourth back in the Spireites squad, and he’ll be hoping for more minutes when Paul Cook’s side travel to take on Walsall on Saturday (3pm GMT).

Francis Okoronkwo – Salford City
Opponent: Tranmere Rovers (H)
Competition: League Two
Date: Saturday 8 February   
Result: 2-0 win
Overview: Coming on for Salford after 68 minutes, 20-year-old forward Okoronkwo earned his 16th League Two appearance on the season, helping his side’s push for promotion.

The Ammies sit seventh in the table after the weekend’s action and are back out on Saturday, facing AFC Wimbledon away from home in the early kick-off.

Mason Holgate – West Brom
Opponent: Sheffield Wednesday (H)
Competition: Championship
Date: Saturday 8 February   
Result: 2-1 win
Overview: Holgate was absent from West Brom’s matchday squad on Saturday, missing the game through illness.

Neal Maupay – Marseille
Opponent: Angers (A)
Competition: Ligue 1
Date: Sunday 9 February   
Result: 2-0 win
Overview: Maupay netted Marseille’s second goal in their 2-0 victory on Sunday. A second-half substitute, the on-loan forward connected well with Amine Gouiri, who set up Maupay for a first-time finish on 74 minutes.