Everton loan players recap: Onyekuru saves Anderlecht blushes with brace

On loan striker Henry Onyekuru finally opened his Jupiler Pro League account for RSC Anderlecht over the weekend, potting a brace as the Mauves halted their winless streak with a 3-2 win over Lokeren. Both his goals were of the poacher’s kind, taking advantage of positioning in the box to poke home for the defending League champions.

Onyekuru faces a baptism of fire tomorrow as his Belgian side take on German champions Bayern Munich in the group stages of the Champions League. Anderlecht have had a stuttering start to the season and will be looking for a brave performance tomorrow with the Everton player leading the line.

Of the Everton loanees out in the Championship, the only player that tasted victory this weekend wasn’t even in the lineup. Matthew Pennington has finally resumed training for Leeds United after sustaining an ankle injury a month ago. His side romped to a 5-0 win over Burton Albion.

Brendan Galloway returned to the lineup alongside Tyias Browning as Sunderland switched to a back-five to arrest their alarming slide, but it didn’t work as the Black Cats slipped to their third straight loss. Galloway was nervous and uncertain and continued to make poor decisions with the ball even though he was at wingback. Meanwhile, even Browning had a poor game in the three-man backline.

Kieran Dowell came on as a second half substitute as Nottingham Forest lost 3-1 away at Sheffield Wednesday, with the midfielder unable to save his side. Fellow midfielder Liam Walsh was replaced on 67 minutes for Birmingham City as they lost 1-0 away at Norwich City. Walsh played in an advanced midfielder role and was mostly ineffective, picking up a yellow card as well.

There was a debut for Antonee Robinson at left back for Bolton Wanderers but he was given a torrid time by Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore who picked up two assists as Boro won comfortably 3-0 away. Callum Connolly also played the full ninety minutes for Ipswich Town but didn’t fare much better at Queens Park Rangers despite playing well. The right back picked up a late booking in a 2-1 defeat.

Joe Williams was able to buck the trend of losses, with his Barnsley side drawing 1-1 away at Preston North End. The midfielder has been one of the Tykes’ best players so far this season, and was the best player on the pitch on Saturday as well.

In League Two action, Conor Grant didn’t play as he recovers from a head injury sustained last week, but his Crewe Alexandra side still easily beat Chesterfield 5-1.