Armando Broja played for 45 minutes as he continues his fightback from injury but was unable to prevent a Blues side featuring two international defenders from defeat
Armando Broja took another step towards his senior Everton debut with his first minutes since joining the club.
The 23-year-old, who started full training during the November international break, played the first half for the Under-21s on Monday night as the young Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat at Watford.
It was a move planned days in advance and he was withdrawn at half-time with the score goalless. Everton said it had been their intention to give him just the first 45 minutes.
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It was his first taste of action since arriving on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day. Broja, a longstanding target of Everton, joined with an achilles injury but was seen as too good an opportunity to miss given the terms of the deal sanctioned – which does not see Everton begin to pay for the loan until he returns to fitness and which includes an option to make the move permanent if he impresses.
Blues boss Sean Dyche is keen to be patient with the final stages of his rehabilitation and further games for the U21s are expected – though Dyche is increasingly looking to Broja’s availability as a possible solution to his team’s struggles in front of goal. Everton have not scored in the last three games and have netted just 10 times in their opening 12 matches.
Broja was one of three senior players to start in the Premier League Cup match.
Summer signing Jake O’Brien also featured, as did Scotland international Nathan Patterson. Patterson was sent off in the second half after picking up two yellow cards, the second of which was for kicking the ball away after conceding a free-kick. Ten minutes later Watford found the decisive goal through Albert Eames.
In-form attacking midfielder Charlie Whittaker almost added to his tally for the season with a glancing header in the first half while Callum Bates and Harrison Armstrong – who were both on the bench for the Premier League game against Brentford on Saturday – also going close.
