A slow start on Friday evening saw the young Blues fall behind in the first minute and they went on to lose their first game of 2025 at home to Leeds Utd in Southport.
A long-awaited return to action for Stan Mills, who suffered a serious knee injury while on loan at Oxford United last January, and Coby Ebere, back from a debilitating hamstring injury, but it was the defence that collapsed in short order, with a goal for the visitors after 24 seconds. Quickly followed by a second in 8 minutes.
The young Blues never recovered, and gave up a third goal in the second half, with a consolation penalty scored by Mills before the end, after he beat his man, who responded with a rash challenge.
Everton U21s: Leban, Dixon, Butler (52′ Moonan), Samuels-Smith, Thomas, J Patterson, Mills, Bates (75′ Beaumont-Clark), Benjamin (45′ Barker), Heath, Ebere (45′ Sherif).
Subs not Used: Barnsley