Under-23s come unstuck at Toffees

Three goals in each half for Everton saw our Under-23s slump to a heavy defeat in the Premier League 2 at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Having conceded two early goals from set pieces, one from the head of Tyias Browning and the other an unfortunate George Marsh own goal, our young side, featuring a handful of Under-18s players playing above their age group, was left with an uphill task to gain anything from the contest.

Forced to look for openings, the holes began to show in defence and after Fraser Hornby made it 3-0, three more second-half goals rounded off a disappointing 6-0 final scoreline.

The combination of Jaden Brown and Paris Maghoma down the left flank showed promising signs in the first few minutes of the match but we were unable to convert from a few early opportunities and instead it was Everton who were able to find the early breakthrough. A few late challenges in wide areas earned the hosts two good opportunities to get the ball into the box and the second chance was delivered deep towards the back post, where Browning was left unmarked to opening the scoring in the 10th minute.

Kieran Dowell, who spent last year on loan at Championship side Nottingham Forest, started to dictate down the right and troubled our back three – and it was from a Dowell corner that Everton claimed their second of the match. Skipper Marsh was the unfortunate party, deflecting the ball into his own net.

We reacted well to the second goal and won a free-kick 30 yards out. Maghoma, who was resourceful on free-kicks throughout the match, put an excellent ball to the far post, but 17-year-old Luis Binks was unable to get his header on target.

Everton’s continued high press caused us problems and after a long goal-kick, we were caught with too many men up the pitch, with an uncontested header and simple through ball allowing Hornby to smash past Jonathan De Bie – on his first start for the Under-23s – for the third. Everton could have added a fourth before half-time after a ball fired across the six-yard box only needed a glance towards goal, but Antony Evans was unable to apply the finishing touch. However, early in the second half, Evans found himself in a similar area and tapped home from a Brendan Galloway cross.

In the 57th minute, Jack Roles replaced TJ Eyoma as we switched to a back four in an attempt to get more attacking options on the field. Immediately, Shayon Harrison found a small pocket of space and unleashed a shot from 25 yards out, but only found keeper Joe Hilton’s hands.

Everton had their fifth 10 minutes later. A quick free-kick taken deep in our half was intercepted by Bassala Sambou, who carried into the box and was bundled over by Oliver Skipp. Sambou finished the penalty low into the bottom left corner.

Substitute Phoenix Patterson ignited a short spell of momentum for us, with his fresh legs putting us onto the front foot as we looked for a consolation goal. But it was not forthcoming as silky passing and quick movement found Maghoma with space in the box, but he could only drag his shot wide.

The sixth and final goal of the match was added six minutes from time, Josh Bowler’s shot from the edge of the box finding the bottom right corner.

Key moment

The two early goals from set-pieces gifted Everton a comfortable lead, with the lads left with a tough task from there on in. Under-23s Coach Wayne Burnett explained how set-pieces were at the core of practice throughout the week.

“We had worked on some set-pieces yesterday and we spoke about the importance of defending correctly and defending well and we haven’t done that,” he said. “The first one was their first effort on goal and we’ve conceded two goals in quick succession and that’s allowed them to take control of the game, but before that there wasn’t really anything, it was an evenly-contested game with not much penalty box activity. But when you come away, especially to a place like Everton, and gift them two goals, it’s very, very difficult.”

Coach’s view

Reflecting on our performance at Goodison, Wayne added: “We didn’t show enough character to get back into the game and we all need to have a close look at ourselves and see where we go from here. The positive thing is we have a game on Friday (away at Blackburn) and the beauty of this game is you can put your wrongs right.

“At times today it wasn’t about technical or tactical players, it was about a desire, willingness, a mentality and we fell short. The players know that. Today was not an acceptable performance from anyone.”

Match data

Goals: Everton – Browning 10, Marsh (OG) 20, Hornby 37, Evans 49, Sambou 67 (pen), Bowler 84.

Yellow cards: Everton – Galloway 59; Spurs – Binks 52, Skipp 79, Maghoma 88.

Referee: Leigh Doughty.

Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool.

Weather: Cloudy, 12 degrees.