Everton Loan Recap: Dowell, Holgate & Lavery Make Debuts

While much of Europe is enjoying some much-needed post-Christmas rest from football, the same can’t be said in Britain, with another double header of action to start the New Year.

There were debuts for Kieran Dowell, Mason Holgate and Shayne Lavery at their new clubs and below we’ll see how everybody got on.

The Youngsters

Henry Onyekuru

Enjoying a winter break with Galatasaray until they return to action on the 15^th January in the Turkish Cup.

Antonee Robinson

Remains out injured following surgery.

Callum Connolly

After watching Wigan Athletic’s 3-0 home defeat to Sheffield United on New Year’s Day, he was back in the starting line-up as they faced a West Bromwich Albion side featuring Mason Holgate in the FA Cup. Unfortunately, his side fell to a 1-0 defeat, with Connolly picking up a yellow card before being substituted on 66 minutes.

Nikola Vlasic

No more competitive matches until March for Vlasic and CSKA Moscow.

Joe Williams

Missed Bolton Wanderers’ 6-0 battering by Hull on New Year’s Day and was also nowhere to be seen for their 5-2 FA Cup win over Walsall. No word on whether he is out injured or not, although it is unlikely Bolton would drop one of their best players without reason.

Williams has also been linked with a £1 million move to Bristol City in recent days, which may perhaps shed some light in recent days. Silva was rumoured to have been impressed with the player during pre-season though, so it remains to be seen as to whether Everton will let the 22-year-old midfielder leave on a permanent deal.

Matthew Pennington

More minutes for Pennington, but more misery for Ipswich Town as they lost 3-2 at home to Millwall before Accrington Stanley knocked them out of the FA Cup.

Kieran Dowell

Made his Sheffield United debut at the week, but was one of few positives as they fell to a shock 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Conference side, Barnet. Dowell did, though, pick up the man of the match award for the Blades, although competition was hardly rife.

Shayne Lavery

20-year-old striker Shayne Lavery has joined Scottish Championship side Falkirk on loan for the rest of the season. Despite having never made an appearance for Everton’s first team, he has already picked up an international cap for Northern Ireland.

Lavery made his debut as an injury-time substitute for relegation-threatened Falkirk, who picked up a surprise 1-0 away win at promotion chasing Ayr United.

The Deadwood

Ashley Williams

Picked up a yellow card as he played the full 90 minutes of Stoke City’s home defeat to Bristol City, before also playing the full game in their 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury.

Cuco Martina

Also picked up a yellow card against Bristol Rovers before dropping to the bench for the Potters' FA Cup tie.

Luke Garbutt

Got a rare start for Oxford United… but was hauled off at half-time with the O’s 2-0 down at Plymouth. Returned to the bench for their FA Cup tie at Brentford, but came on for the final 15 minutes of their 1-0 defeat.

Shani Tarashaj

Injured…

Kevin Mirallas

Mini winter break underway in Italy.

Mo Besic

A yellow card in a typically solid performance as Middlesbrough drew 1-1 with Derby County on New Year’s Day.

Yannick Bolasie

Came off the bench to help Aston Villa rescue a point in their 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers, and could have found a winner in injury time. Missed their 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Swansea City.

Sandro Ramirez

Real Sociedad recorded a famous 2-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Unfortunately, Sandro Ramirez wasn’t in the matchday squad.