EVERTON UNDER-21s, 2015-16

On 3 August 2012, it was formally announced that the Premier Reserve League will cease to exist, to be replaced by a new Professional Development League 1, to be commonly known as the U21 Premier Reserve League. A similar U18 league will also be created, and the system will be mapped across the Football League, additionally creating Professional Development Leagues 2 and 3. Teams are ranked according to the categorising of the club academy (a categorisation that will be re-assessed every three years). Everton are a Categroy A team.

The competition is not optional, and participation from all 20 Premier League clubs is therefore confirmed (although Wigan, QPR and Swansea will initially be in Professional Development League 2, sitting outside of the U21 Premier Reserve League. The new FA Premier Under-21 League format includes 17 Premier League sides and six Championship sides. Participating clubs are split into two  National Divisions, with teams allocated places in Division 1 or 2 based on their performance in the 2014–15 season, as follows:

After a double round-robin group stage, clubs will be promoted and relegated between the three groups for the second half of the season, with the aim of ensuring competitive football and closely-matched games throughout. At the end of the season, a play-off style knock-out competition will take place between the winners of Groups 2 and 3 (Qualification Groups) and the three top teams in the Elite Group to determine the overall winner.

Matches must be played between Friday and Monday, demonstrating increased relevance, and games will be played at lower-league stadia rather than training grounds. In addition, each U21 team must play at least two games at the home stadium of the club, allowing young players to perform in venues and atmospheres to which they must become accustomed.

Discounted tickets will be available for all games to persuade families to watch the teams, hopefully attracting those that could otherwise not afford to visit Old Trafford or the Emirates on a match day. Finally, rules dictate that in the U21 league, three over-age outfield players and one over-age goalkeeper may be used, a stipulation that allows for injured players to make effective returns from a lay-off before first-team action.

2014-15 saw the introduction of The Premier League International Cup —  with invited European sides competing in a four-group tournament. In addition to Everton, the other English clubs involved in the tournament are West Ham, Chelsea, Fulham, Leicester City, Manchester City, Norwich City, and Sunderland. All eight clubs have Category A youth academies. They are joined by Athletic Bilbao, Benfica, Borussia Monchengladbach, Glasgow Celtic, Schalke 04, Porto, PSV Eindhoven, and Villarreal.

Group-stage matches will be played until 31 January 2014 with clubs playing each team in their group once. All matches, including those between international teams, will be played in England.
Upon completion of the group stages the winners and runners-up from each group will progress to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, all to be played as single-leg ties in England.

Everton's games in the Liverpool Senior Cup are now covered here also.  Some of the Under-21s may play in the FA Youth Cup too.

Everton U21s:  Hewelt; Jones, Robinson, Walsh, Pennigton, Connolly, Williams, Davies (67' Donohue), Byrne, Evans (81' Charsley), Grant.
Subs not used:  Stanek, Ledson, Yates.  Scorers:  Byrne.

Sam Byrne's 42nd-minute goal had briefly given David Unsworth's side hope when he halved a 2-0 deficit following a brace by Spurs' Pritchard, but Oduwa restored the home sides's two-goal advantage a minute later.

Coulthirst added another a few minutes from the end of the second half to complete the rout at the Spurs Training Centre.

Everton U21s: Hewelt; Jones, Connolly, Pennington, Holgate, Walsh (65' Lavery), Williams, Grant (46' Robinson), Evans (46' Davies), Byrne, McAleny.
Subs not used: Stanek, Ledson.  Scorers: Williams, McAleny, Davies.

Everton Under-21s came back from 3-0 down against Liverpool to draw 3-3 this evening in Southport. David Unsworth's side fell behind early when debutant Mason Holgate was harshly adjudged to have held back an opponent and the Reds scored from the spot.

t was 3-0 heading towards half time but Joe Williams scored an important goal to give the Blues hope at the break. Conor McAleny set up the fightback with Everton's second in the second period before Tom Davies converted a rebound late on to earn the draw.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Jones, Yates, Graham, Connolly, Ledson, Grant, Williams, Henen (65' Charsley), Donohue (46' Evans), Byrne.  
Subs not used: Griffiths, Bainbridge, Walsh.   Scorers: Grant.

Everton Under-21s drew 1-1 with Leicester City Under-21s as Elder's late equaliser earned the Foxes a draw at King Power Stadium. Elder's late equaliser cancelled out Conor Grant's first-half strike.

Everton U21s:  Robles, Holgate, Connolly, Gibson (74' Jones), Browning, Pennington, Grant, Williams (81' Dyson), Rodriguez, Osman, Henen (83' Walsh).
Subs not used: Hewelt, Ledson   Scorers: Rodriguez.

Darron Gibson's bid to return to the Everton first team following his latest injury continued this evening as he played for the U21s against Sunderland at Goodison Park.

The Republic of Ireland international suffered a metatarsal fracture in early April and has been out of action since but was named in David Unsworth's team this evening alongside new signings Leandro Rodriguez and Mason Holgate and veteran midfielder Leon Osman.

Rodriguez opened his account for the Blues' second string in his first appearance with a goal after 10 minutes and he was at it again this evening with a strike after just four minutes to open the scoring against the Black Cats' U21s.

Gibson played 74 minutes before being substituted in favour of Gethin Jones and Sunderland would equalise a few minutes later when Duncan Watmore scored to earn the visitors a point.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Jones, Connolly, Walsh (Charsley 46'), Pennington (Yates 27'), Kenny, Williams, Ledson (Lees 72'), Dyson, Grant, Henen.
Subs not used: Gray, Graham.  Scorers: Dyson.

First-half goals put United into a 2-0 lead at half time at and Lingard increased the lead to three 10 minutes into the second half. Calum Dyson scored the Blues' late consolation goal.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Mattioni (85' Ledson), Kenny, Holgate, Oviedo, Connolly, Grant, Williams, Dyson, Jones (59' Henen), Byrne (77' Charsley).
Subs not used: Gray, Yates.  Scorers: Holgate, Kenny (pen), Connolly.

Mason Holgate scored his first goal in Everton colours as the Under-21s beat Norwich 3-1 at Southport.

The new signing from Barnsley doubled the Blues' lead from a corner mid-way through the second half after Jonjoe Kenny's penalty had levelled the game just before the break. Callum Connolly added a third a two minutes later to make it 3-1.

David Unsworth's line-up included Brazilian and former Espanyol fullback Fellipe Mattioni who is on trial with the club and played 85 minutes before being replaced by Ryan Ledson.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Kenny, Jones (31' Ledson), Williams, Connolly, Holgate, Charsley, Grant, Dyson, Evans (70' Rodriguez), Henen (70' C Duffus).
Subs not used:  Griffiths, Walsh.  Scorers:  Henen, Charsley.

David Henen put David Unsworth's side into the lead when his in-swinging free kick found its way through past the 'keeper in the first half.

Harry Charsley doubled the lead early in the second half and goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt played his part in preserving the clean sheet with a number of saves to keep Saints' second string at bay.

Everton U21s:   Hewelt, Davies, Connolly, Ledson, Holgate, Kenny, Charsley (61' Byrne), Williams, Rodriguez (61' C Duffus), McAleny, Henen (77' Evans).
Subs not used:  O'Loughlin, Yates.  Scorers: None.

Everton Under-21s lost at Middlesbrough as Conor McAleny returned the side following his loan spell with Charlton Athletic. McAleny had expected to be turning out for his final game for the Addicks this weekend but his loan was terminated early and h returned to the Blues.

Bradley Fewster scored the only goal of the game 11 minutes from time, although McAleny came close for the Blues when his shot tipped over by Joe Fryer. Everton were unable to fashion many chances with the scores still goalless in the second half and Fewster scored late on to secure the points. Everton struggled to create many chances after the break and the hosts struck late on to snatch the victory.

Everton U21s: .Hewelt, Kenny, Connolly, Feeney, Holgate, Davies, Williams, Dowell (78' Walsh), McAleny, Evans (62' Charsley), Byrne (58' Dyson).  
Subs not used:  Gray, Thorniley.   Scorers: Evans, Connolly, Dowell.

Goals from Antony Evans and Callum Connolly gave Everton U21s a 2-0 lead at half-time in the local 'mini-derby' with their Liverpool counterparts. Super wing play from Conor McAleny and his inch-perfect centre got Everton off the mark in the first half as Evans timed his run brilliantly and finished well to give the Blues a vital lead. McAleny hit the post and then Sam Byrne sent the rebound wide as Everton took control after a difficult opening 15 mins. Callum Connolly's header from a corner wrapped up a dominant first half for the Blues at Langtree Park.

Evans was forced off injured in the second half after cynical fouls by the Reds, whose dirty work paid off when they got a goal back through Wilson. Kieran Dowell produced a great finish, showing a cool head in the area, after brilliant play on the touchline from Tom Davies.

Everton U21s:  Hewelt, Kenny, Connolly, Davies, Feeney, Holgate, Dowell, Williams, Byrne, Evans, McAleny.
Subs not used:  Walsh, Gray, Dyson, Charley, Thorniley.   Scorers:  Connolly.

Callum Connolly's first-half goal earned another point on the road. Having taken the lead just after the half-hour mark, the hosts were caught out when full-back Connolly grabbed his fifth goal in four games following Kieran Dowell's free-kick. The Toffees could have opened the scoring themselves but Conor McAleny's mazy run ended with his low drilled shot well saved by Stuart Moore. Antony Evans then found the side netting before Dowell played in Sam Byrne, only to see the Ireland Under-21 international fire agonisingly wide.

And with the score tied at 1-1 deep in the second half, McAleny could have won it. Playing a corner shot, the forward collected a return pass on the corner of the box and unleashed an effort that took a deflection before the 'keeper's fingertips steered the goalbound effort narrowly over the crossbar.

Note: Subs were probably used in this match but we have not been able to locate that information

Everton U21s:  Hewelt, Connolly (73' Walsh), Holgate, Foulds, Davies, Thorniley, Williams, Charsley, McAleny, Byrne (61' Dowell), Rodriguez (69' Evans).
Subs not used:  Gray, Dyson.  Scorers:  Walsh.

Liam Walsh's second-half goal had the Blues on course for a win but Tottenham levelled from the spot in Southport to earn a 1-1 draw. Imminent signing Matty Foulds was joined by Leandro Rodriguez in an attacking line-up that included the Uruguayan striker, Sam Byrne and Conor McAleny at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

Everton started brightly, with Tom Davies going close with a volley, but the visitors came into the contest as the first-half wore on and Mateusz Hewelt had to make a one-handed save to deny Shaquile Coulthirst just before half time where it was goalless.

In the second half, Mason Holgate saw a goalbound effort blocked, Coulthirst shot over, Davies struck the woodwork and Rodriguez saw a header clear the bar before he was replaced by Antony Evans with 20 minutes left. Walsh, a 73rd-minute introduction for Callum Connolly, slotted in the opening goal with 10 minutes left but Spurs were handed a lifeline when Emmanuel Sonupe went down in the box and Andros Townsend converted a late penalty.

Everton U21s:  Gray, Charsley, Connolly, Davies, Thorniley, Feeney, Dowell (80' Evans), Williams, Duffus (60' Byrne), Rodriguez (Dyson 90'), McAleny
Subs not used:  Griffiths, Yates.  Scorers:  Dowell.

Everton triumphed when Dowell scored seconds into the second half and David Unsworth's men were able to hang on for victory.

The Blues' line-up featured recent first-team debutant Leandro Rodriguez and Conor McAleny in an otherwise young side.

Everton U21s: Gray, Connolly, Foulds, Davies, Pennington, Holgate, Dowell, Williams, Dyson, Rodriguez (76' Byrne), Charsley. 
Subs not used: Stanek, Feeney, Evans, Duffus.  Scorers: Holgate, Dyson.

Everton's Under-21s beat Manchester United 2-0 at Finch Farm this evening. David Unsworth's side made it seven games without defeat thanks to goals in each half by Mason Holgate and Calum Dyson.

Everton U21s:  Griffiths, Jones, Galloway, Davies, Pennington, Connolly, Charsley, Williams, C Duffus (86' Foulds), Dowell (90' Evans), Byrne (82' Dyson).
Subs not used:  Gray, Feeney.  Scorers: Galloway, Byrne, Dowell.

Brendan Galloway opened the scoring with an impressive finish from the angle and striker Sam Byrne doubled the lead with a low drive. Dowell then made it 3-0 when he spotted the keeper off his line and found the top corner with a brilliantly-weighted shot. Armani Little scored a consolation for the Saints but it was the Blues U21s' night.  

Everton U21s:  Griffiths, Mattioni (90' Evans), Pennington, Holgate, Galloway, Davies, Williams, Charsley, Dowell (60' Jones), C Duffus, Rodriguez (81' Dyson).
Subs not used:  Hewelt, Foulds.  Scorers: Robson (og), Dowell.

Everton's second string were in action at the Stadium of Light this evening but went down to a narrow 3-2 defeat in a game illuminated from the Blues' perspective by a lovely free kick goal by Kieran Dowell.

The Blues started the more attacking of the two sides but after Ola Toivonen had rattled the crossbar with a powerful header, the Swede nodded in the opener after his wayward shot had been cleared straight back to him by Joe Williams. And Everton fell 2-0 behind almost immediately afterwards with slack defending from another corner and the ball was turned in from close range.

Courtney Duffus should have halved the deficit when he rounded the goalkeeper Pickford off a terrific through-ball from Williams but he fired into the side-netting. After Williams curled a decent effort over, Mandron smacked an effort off the bar for the home side as they threatened to increase their lead. Dowell forced a diving save from Pickford as the Blues pushed for a way back into the game before half time.

They got a lifeline a couple of minutes later, though, when Duffus missed with an overhead kick trying to meet a cross by Harry Charsley and the ball bounced off defender Tom Robson into the goal. And Duffus came close to equalising in first-half stoppage time but his diving header hit Brady's arm on the line and somehow wasn't given as a penalty.

Everton attacked from the off in the second half and Charsley went agonisingly close when he hammered a volley off the post from a tight angle. Toivinen, meanwhile, had a good chance to make it 3-1 but headed straight at Griffiths. Pickford missed a deep Galloway cross, Jones centred but Rodriguez’s shot was cleared off the line. Jones was involved again as he picked up Williams’s pass on the overlap but his cross was put behind.

Everton had been on top for most of the second period but Sunderland extended their lead with a quick attack that ended with Greenwood playing Toivinen in and he curled past Griffiths. Rodriguez had a chance to curt the lead again but couldn’t beat the first man and Mattioni then flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal.  Dyson then headed inches wide of the post from a corner.

Dowell got the Blues back into it five minutes from time with a brilliant curling free kick from just outside the box. Everton had a great chance deep into stoppage time but Galloway planted a header well wide with the goal gaping in front of him.

Everton U21s:  Hewelt, Mattioni, Foulds, Davies, Holgate, Thorniley, Henen (59' Dyson), Williams (71' Charsley), C Duffus, Rodriguez (59' Jones), Dowell.
Subs not used:  Gray, Evans.  Scorers: None.

Everton's Under-21s lost fo r the second game in succession as they were 2-0 bested by Reading at Southport this evening. An early goal by Harry Cardwell was added to by Joseph Barrett late in the second half. Kieran Dowell struck the woodwork.

The Blues struggled to create any clearcut chances after the break. It forced Unsworth into a double change on the hour mark as striker Calum Dyson and Gethin Jones replaced Henen and Leandro Rodriguez.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Jones, Foulds, Davies, Feeney, Holgate, Charsley, Williams, C Duffus (66' Dyson), Evans (86' Lavery), Dowell.
Subs not used: Gray, Thorniley, Holland.  Scorers: Evans, Duffus.

Antony Evans and Courtney Duffus had put David Unsworth's men into a commanding lead at Finch Farm but Arnel Jakupovic intercepted a back-pass by Mason Holgate to pull one back for the north-easterners before Lewis Mahoney netted in the second half to restore parity.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Jones, Holgate, Connolly, Foulds, Williams, Davies, Dowell, Dyson (67' Brewster), Charsley (85' Holland), Evans (88' Baningime).
Subs not used: Gray, Feeney.  Scorers: Dowell, Evans.

Everton's U21s string recorded a 2-1 victory on the back of a goal apiece by promising young prospects Kieran Dowell and Antony Evans.

David Unsworth's side took a 2-0 lead at Carrow Road and then held out for a the three points despite Jamal Lewis pulling one back for the hosts with five minutes to go.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Jones, Foulds, Davies, Connolly, Holgate, Charsley, Williams, Evans (89' Brewster), Dowell, Henen (71' Dyson).
Subs not used: Griffiths, Baningime, Graham.  Scorers: Connolly, Holgate.

David Henen returned from his loan at Fleetwood Town to take his place in David Unsworth's attack and while he didn't make a dent on the scoresheet, Callum Connolly did to set the Blues on their way and Mason Holgate scored a second at the death.

Everton hit the woodwork twice through Harry Charsley and Kieran Dowell in a goalless first half and Russell Griffiths kept things goalless at the start of the second with a great save. Connolly made the breakthrough 11 minutes after half time, though, when he headed home Dowell's corner. And Dowell was involved in the set-piece that led to the second goal in the 90th minute when he and Charsley combined to set up Holgate for another header.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Hibbert (46' Jones), Foulds, Williams, Holgate, Feeney, Charsley, Dyson, Evans (84' Baningime), Dowell, Henen (90' Holland).
Subs not used: Gray, Lavery.  Scorers: Dowell.

Tony Hibbert was in rare action for Everton's second string this evening ahead of potential inclusion in the senior squad against Liverpool or Manchester United in the coming days. The veteran defender hasn't featured at senior level since pre-season but he played the first 45 minutes for the Under-21s as they beat Manchester City 1-0 at Goodison Park, indicating perhaps that he is being drafted back in as emergency cover for the injured Seamus Coleman.

Hibbert, 35, has been struggling with injury and lack of fitness for the past couple of seasons while some of the options from David Unsworth's U21s team lack first-team experience, are injured or, like Matthew Pennington who has filled in in defence already this season, are currently out on loan. Tyias Browning is sidelined with a long-term injury, Brendan Galloway has a knock, and summer acquisition Mason Holgate has yet to play for the senior side .

Usworth's side took a 1-0 lead into half time against City's U21s thanks to another impressive goal by Kieran Dowell who netted after 12 minutes.

Hibbert was replaced by Gethin Jones at the halfway stage and the Blues almost doubled their lead early in the second half when David Henen and Dowell combined but the latter's shot came back off the upright.

Morgan Feeney then made an excellent goal-line clearance to deny Celina for the visitors after the City man had rounded goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt and Everton held on to record a narrow win with Martinez watching on. 

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Hibbert (65' Dyson), Foulds (72' Holgate), Davies, Pennington, Connolly, Jones, Williams, Evans (79' Baningime), Dowell, Charsley .
Subs not used: Gray, Feeney .  Scorers: Dowell 3.

Kieran Dowell continues to knock on the door of Everton's first team with his head-turning performances in David Unsworth's Under-21s side. The young midfielder has been in sparkling form recently and enhanced his reputation further this evening by scoring all three of the Blues' goals against Leicester City U21s at Goodison Park.

Dowell set Everton on their way as early as the ninth minute when he brilliantly chipped the goalkeeper and then doubled the lead in the 26th minute when he finished off a counter-attack by slotting home. The visitors halved the deficit on the stroke of half time when Michael Cain scored but Dowell curled home another beauty with 13 minutes left to seal the win and his hat-trick.

To date Dowell has made just one appearance for the senior side, that in December 2014 in the dead rubber against FK Krasnodar in the Europa League when he came on a second-half substitute. Since then he has continued his impressive development in the U21s and many expected to see him included in the squad for the match against Southampton the week before last when team-mates Tom Davies and Callum Connolly were handed their debuts off the bench.

Roberto Martinez was in attendance for this evening's win over the Foxes' second string but it remains to be seen if he has seen enough to promote Dowell to the first team for any of the four remaining Premier League games.

Everton U21s:  Hewelt, Connolly, Foulds, Holgate (76' Holland), Galloway, Baningime, Charsley, Williams, Evans, Dyson, Henen.
Subs not used:  Gray, Thorniley, Graham, Lavery.  Scorers:  None.

Everton Under-21s concluded their league campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Chelsea. Calum Dyson had arguably the best chance for the Blues, denied at the last second by defender Jake Clarke-Salter. Mateusz Hewelt, meanwhile, was largely untroubled in the away goal but did need to gather a couple of Kasey Palmer efforts. He also saw an Ola Aina drive sail inches past his left-hand post.

A quiet first half saw Hewelt save comfortably from Palmer’s free-kick before his opposite number Nathan Baxter did likewise from Joe Williams’ long range effort. However it was the Blues who would carve open the best chance of the first 45 minutes soon after. Antony Evans sent Dyson clean through but after the striker rounded Baxter, he was denied a certain goal by an excellent sliding challenge from Clarke-Salter. Hewelt was then in the right place when an Aina strike from distance was diverted at close range by Chelsea substitute Tammy Abraham, ensuring it was goalless at the break.

It was much the same after the interval, with clear-cut chances few and far between. Evans saw an effort hacked away in time by Ruben Sammut, while a combination of Mason Holgate and Callum Connolly kept Abraham from getting a shot away. Aina fizzed a strike inches wide of the target as Chelsea enjoyed the better of the possession, with Everton happy to try and break at pace.

However, Brendan Galloway was required to hurl himself in front of Palmer to stop the Chelsea forward firing home from close range, after impressive debutant Beni Baningime had done likewise to halt Aina’s swift break in its tracks. Chelsea finished the game in the ascendency, Palmer at the heart of most of their good work, but the Toffees’ rearguard held firm to secure a deserved point in the Under-21s’ final league outing of the campaign.

Everton U21s:  Robles, Pennington, Connolly, Ledson (77' Walsh), Browning, Holgate, Williams, Grant (88' Yates), Byrne, McAleny, Henen (88' Evans).
Subs not used: Hewelt, Charsley, Graham, Donohue.  Scorers:  Henen, Byrne 2, McAleny

The visitors produced the first chance of the game  - but Tyias Browning was on hand to deflect the goal-bound strike behind for a corner. It was not long before Unsworth’s side exerted their dominance, producing their first chance moments later when Joe Williams’s lofted pass found Byrne inside the box. The striker was denied by the Spurs 'keeper with his first attempt, before watching his header drift agonisingly wide of the post on the rebound.

The hosts opened their account for the afternoon on 15 minutes when Callum Connolly, operating at left-back, was brought down in the corner of the penalty area. David Henen stepped up and converted the spot-kick. McAleny threatened to double the lead when he beat his man on the left flank before cutting in field, but his low shot was comfortably gathered.

Lone striker Byrne, who worked tirelessly throughout, was the focal point of the Toffees’ attacks as the half drew to a close. Controlling well on the halfway line, the Republic of Ireland youth international slipped the ball down the channel for Henen – but the winger saw his cross blocked with both Byrne and Williams poised to convert in the central positions.  Byrne then went close with a curling effort that whistled just past the post, before deservedly finding the back of the net on the stroke of half-time. Spurs only managed to half clear Ryan Ledson’s corner – and, after seeing his initial effort blocked, Byrne stroked the ball into the far corner with an expertly-placed left-footed effort.

Everton came racing out of the traps in the second half and Conor McAleny made it three within two minutes of the restart, coolly slotting home Henen’s centre from the byline. Three minutes later, Everton had their fourth as Byrne poked between the legs of the 'keeper after latching on to Ledson’s excellent slide-rule pass. Spurs pulled one back as Maghoma nodded past Robles  – but the damage was already done to ensure the goal was only a consolation for the north Londoners.

Everton U21s:  Robles, Browning, Oviedo, Kenny, Holgate, Ledson, Grant, Cleverley (60' Connolly), Henen, Pienaar (46' Walsh), Dyson.
Subs not used: Hewelt, Jones, Williams, Charsley, Evans.  Scorers: None.

The Blues almost got off to the perfect start when David Henen was felled in the area after just three minutes but his penalty was saved by Wetko. The Germans' 'keeper then denied Conor Grant before the visitors took the lead at the other end. Florian Pick's deflected effort had enough to roll over the line to make it 1-0 to Schalke with 10 minutes gone.

Pienaar was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Liam Walsh and the young midfielder almost made an instant impact when his free kick came back off the woodwork and Grant's effort off the rebound was saved. Cleverley then made way for Connolly on the hour mark with the score still 1-0 to the visitors but the Blues were unable to find a way back into the contest.

Everton U21s:  Robles, Hibbert, Kenny, Holgate, Connolly, Dowell, Williams, Besic (65' Walsh), Baines (46' Charsley), Byrne, Duffus (41' Evans). 
Subs not used: Hewelt, Davies, Thorniley, T Duffus.  Scorers: Connolly, Charsley.

Leighton Baines and Muhamed Besic took another step on their respective roads to recovery as Everton's second string were beaten 3-2 by Porto in the Premier League International Cup. The duo were joined by Tony Hibbert and Joel Robles in David Unsworth's team with Baines playing the first half – in a midfield role this time – and Besic completing an hour.

Everton fell behind early and were 2-0 down after just 12 minutes thanks to strikes by Andre Silva and Claudio Ribeiro.They battled to find their way back into the game and halved the deficit in spectacular fashion through Callum Connolly who swept home a brilliant first-time shot with a quarter of an hour to go. Ismael Leon restored the visitors' two-goal advantage from the spot, however, and though substitute Harry Charsley would make it 3-2, the Blues couldn't find an equaliser.Tony Hibbert lasted until five minutes from time, before he was forced off with his log term knee injury.

The result means that Everton's hopes of progressing beyond the group stage rest on the Portuguese side beating Tottenham next month.

Everton U21s: Gray, Connolly, Davies, Feeney, Thorniley, Dowell, Williams, Charsley, Byrne (62' Duffus), Rodriguez (62' Evans), McAleny (75' Dyson).
Subs not used: Griffiths, Yates.  Scorers: Rodriguez, Williams, Connolly,  Duffus.

Everton's Under-21s came on the right side of a goal-fest in Southport, beating Newcastle 4-3 just when it looked as though an 89th-minute equaliser had salvaged a draw for the visitors. David Unsworth's side twice came from behind to lead 3-2 with 15 minutes to go but were pegged back to 3-3 in the penultimate minute by Callum Roberts' goal. Courtney Duffus won it with an immediate reply, however, to cap off a seven-goal thriller at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

Everton made the worst possible start when they fell behind in the first minute to Emmanuel Riviere's strike but Leandro Rodriguez had the Blues level in the 10th minute when he tapped home from close range. The Magpies' U21s reclaimed the lead after 25 minutes, though, when Sylvain Marveaux converted from the penalty spot to give them a 2-1 half-time lead.

Everton turned the tables in the second half, though, when Joe Williams scored a fine equaliser two minutes after the interval and Callum Connolly headed in Kieran Dowell's cross to make it 3-2 with a quarter of an hour to go before the late, late drama unfolded.

Everton U21s: Gray, Mattioni, Foulds, Davies, Pennington, Connolly, Dowell, Williams, Dyson, Rodriguez, Byrne.
Subs not used:  Griffiths, C Duffus, Charsley, Evans, Feeney. Scorers: Byrne, Williams (pen).

Everton took on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Round of 16 at the Merseyrail Community Stadium this evening but lost on penalties after the game finished 2-2 after extra time. David Unsworth's team included Brazilian fullback Felipe Mattioni, Matty Foulds, Leandro Rodriguez and captain Joe Williams.

Striker Sam Byrne opened the scoring five minutes before half time to give Everton the lead with an assist by Rodriguez. Brighton equalised in second-half stoppage time, however, through Barnett which forced extra time just when it looked as though the Blues were going through.

Jack Harper put the visitors ahead nine minutes into the first half of extra-time but Everton reclaimed parity thanks to a penalty scored by Williams. And the hosts were handed another boost when Brighton skipper Glen Rea was sent off for two bookable offences midway through extra time. They were unable to capitalise on the extra man, however and misses by Williams and Davies in the decisive shootout saw Brighton through 4-2 on penalties.

Everton U21s: Hewelt; Lees (67' Yates), Mellen (67' Jones), Ledson , Pennington, Browning; Grant, Walsh; Rodriguez, McAleny, Henen (75' Evans).
Subs not used:  Gray, Williams.  Scorers: Rodriguez, Grant, Walsh.

New signing Leandro Rodriguez scored the first goal in Everton Under-21s' 3-0 win over Preston in the Lancashire Senior Cup this evening. The Uruguayan striker played in a Blue jersey for the first time since his £500k move from River Plate Montevideo and took just 10 minutes to head home the opening goal.

Conor Grant, something of a regular scorer for the second string from midfield lately, notched the second in the second half and Liam Walsh's cross-cum-shot made it three later on.

Everton U21s: Hewelt, Kenny, Connolly, Ledson, Browning (50' Davies), Holgate, Charsley, Williams, Rodriguez (C Duffus), Evans (Dyson), Henen.
Subs not used:  Griffiths, Walsh.  Scorers: C Duffus, Henen.

There was no score at the break, with Ryan Ledson and Harry Charsley having come close. Blackburn took the lead but David Unsworth made a couple of telling changes: Courtney Duffus came on for Leandro Rodriguez, while Dyson replaced Evans. Duffus scored with his first touch to level the score.

With less than 10 minutes to go, JonJoe Kenny brilliantly picked out Henen and the Belgian took one touch before slotting past the keeper to give Everton a 2-1 lead and take them into the semi-finals..

Everton U21s: Gray, Kenny, Foulds, Pennington, Davies, Williams {c}, Connolly, Dowell, Evans (Charsley 53'), Byrne (Duffus 76'), McAleny.
Subs not used: Griffiths, Dyson, Feeney.  Scorers: Williams, Duffus.

Everton's Under-21s beat Accrington Stanley to go through to the Moors Coors Lancashire Senior Cup Final thanks to a headed goal by Courtney Duffus.

David Unsworth's line-up included new recruit Matty Foulds in defence and a strike pairing of Sam Byrne and Antony Evans. The Blues fell behind very early when Marcus Carver headed home after just three minutes but captain Joe Williams levelled the tie before the half-hour mark with a fine solo effort.

The match was still level heading into the final few minutes but substitute Duffus broke the deadlock with a header off Fould's cross to win it for Everton.

The Final between Oldham Athletic and Everton was played in August 2016 as part of Everton U23s 2016-17 preseaon programme

Everton: Hewelt, Kenny {c}, Connolly, Walsh, Thorniley, Feeney, Dowell (Charsley 46'), Davies, Byrne (Donohue 46'), Evans, McAleny (Dyson 46')  
Subs not used:  Gray, Williams.  Scorers: Byrne, Evans, McAleny, Connolly (2), Dyson (3).

Everton Under-21s entered the Liverpool Senior Cup at the quarter-final stage tonight with an away tie at Widnes where they smashed in eight goals with no reply. The Blues' second string gave the competition a miss last season but, in need of matches to support the first team David Unsworth's team participated this time with a big statement.

Sam Byrne, Antony Evans and Conor McAleny all scored goals, Callum Connolly grabbed a brace, while Calum Dyson fired a hat-trick to send Everton through to the semi-finals.

The semi-final between Everton and Skelmersdale United was played in July 2016 as part of Everton U23s 2016-17 preseaon programme

  

Player	League Apps (Sub)	League Goals	Cup Apps (Sub)	Cup Goals
Joe Williams	22 (0)	1	6 (0)	4
Callum Conolly	18 (0)	4	7 (1)	3
Mateusz Hewelt	17 (0)	0	3 (0)	0
Mason Holgate	16 (1)	3	4 (0)	0
Tom Davies	14 (1)	1	4 (1)	0
Harry Charsley	13 (5)	1	2 (3)	0
Kieran Dowell	12 (1)	9	5 (0)	0
Antony Evans	11 (6)	3	3 (4)	1
Gethin Jones	11 (4)	0	0 (1)	0
David Henen	9 (1)	1	4 (0)	2
Jsck Foulds	9 (1)	0	2 (0)	0
Sam Byrne	8 (3)	2	6 (0)	4
Matthew Pennington	8 (0)	0	4 (0)	0
Calum Dyson	7 (9)	2	2 (3)	3
Leandro Rodriguez	7 (1)	1	4 (0)	2
Conor Grant	7 (0)	1	3 (0)	1
Conor McAleny	6 (0)	1	5 (0)	2
JonJoe Kenny	6 (0)	1	5 (0)	0
Courtney Duffus	5 (2)	1	1 (3)	4
Morgan Feeney	5 (0)	0	2 (0)	0
Liam Walsh	3 (3)	1	2 (3)	1
Ryan Ledson	3 (2)	0	4 (0)	0
Jordaan Thorniley	3 (0)	0	2 (0)	0
Felipe Mattioni	3 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Brendan Galloway	3 (0)	1	0 (0)	0
Louis Gray	2 (0)	0	3 (0)	0
Tony Hibbert	2 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Russell Griffiths	2 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Beni Baningime	1 (3)	0	0 (0)	0
James Yates	1 (1)	0	0 (2)	0
Michael Donohue	1 (1)	0	0 (1)	0
Antonee Robinson	1 (1)	0	0 (0)	0
Tyias Browning	1 (0)	0	4 (0)	0
Joel Robles	1 (0)	0	3 (0)	0
Bryan Oviedo	1 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Darron Gibson	1 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Leon Osman	1 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
James Graham	1 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Nathan Holland	0 (3)	0	0 (0)	0
Shayne Lavery	0 (2)	0	0 (0)	0
Callum Lees	0 (1)	0	1 (0)	0
Delial Brewster	0 (1)	0	0 (0)	0
Leighton Baines	0 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Tom Cleverley	0 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Muhamed Besic	0 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Steven Pienaar	0 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Jamie Mellen	0 (0)	0	1 (0)	0
Luke Garbutt	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Tyronne Duffus	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Jindrich Stanek	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Connor Hunt	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Francisco Junior	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Jack Bainbridge	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Ciaran O'Loughlin	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Greg Hurst (Trialist)	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0

 
Regular Under-21 players who left the club this season (2015-16):

Leandro Rodriguez

Felipe Mattioni

Jordan Thorniley

James Graham

Jindrich Stanek

Jamie Mellen

Ciaran O'Loughlin