Everton Under-18s coach Keith Southern declared that “relentless” Braiden Graham is an inspiration to all of his team-mates through his hard-working attitude to make it in professional football after his wonder goal provided the platform for a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.

Trailing 2-1 from the 35th minute, the Blues were just seconds away from being knocked out of the competition before Graham’s stunning strike six minutes into injury time took the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium into extra time. The Northern Ireland Under-19 international then set up substitute Ray Robert to put Everton back into the lead before a late own goal sealed their passage into the quarter-finals.

Southern told the ECHO: “Braiden’s finish was special, but he deserves that because he trains every day with a real intensity and purpose. He never misses a single session, he stays out after and is the first person in and is relentless in his pursuit of excellence.

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“Hopefully, we’re nudging him in the right direction to go...