Kenny's penalty gives U23s first Premier League Cup win

Michael Kenrick , 1 October, 13comments | Jump to most recent

Jonjoe Kenny's stoppage-time penalty gave Everton Under-23s a late victory in their Premier League Cup opener against Wolves, with Oumar Niasse missing an open goal.

The match was played on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park, but with little prior publicity and a sparse crowd as a result.

David Henen had the first chance, but his effort flew over before the Belgian turned creator and Oumar Niasse tapped home for the third U23 game in succession. However, the linesman's flag was raised for offside.

The best chance of the game fell to Oumar Niasse in the second half but he could only strike the crossbar with an effort from close range.

Still 0-0 late into stoppage time, a handball in the Wolves area saw captain Jonjoe Kenny fire home a very late penalty to give the Blues first blood in Group D, with their future opponents Norwich and Portsmouth drawing 0-0.

Everton U23s: Hewelt; Kenney, Jomes, Walsh, Feeney, Connally, Dowell, J Williams, Niasse, Calvert-Lewin, Henen.
Subs: Gray, Robinson, C Duffus, Dyson, Charsley.

Reader Comments (13)

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Damian Wilde
1 Posted 02/10/2016 at 23:13:30

"...with Oumar Niasse missing an open goal."

I laughed a lot at this!

Good win though lads. Anyone seen David Henen play? Any good?

John Dean
2 Posted 03/10/2016 at 08:53:19

The young blues fielded an experienced team although I was surprised that Tom Davies didn't feature; he started for the U23s recently on the day after he had played the last 15 minutes for the first team against Sunderland so being an unused substitute on Friday meant no game for him; perhaps he'll play on Tuesday in the Checkatrade Cup at Cheltenham.

I am not a fan of Henen; he has pace but I don't think he has the skills to beat good defenders. We brought him to the academy because we didn't have any wide players coming through. He didn't tear up the place when on loan at Fleetwood last year and I don't see a future for him in our first-team.

Dom Calvert-Lewin played across the front line and looked very good; elegant and skilful but prepared to fight for the ball. I thought Kieran Dowell was our most dangerous player. A few times he received an awkward ball while running at pace and he controlled it in one and put a player into space with his next touch. He runs well with the ball and shoots when he gets the chance. He looks strong enough now for the Premier League and his presence on the bench will soon be keeping Ross on his toes.

It was great to see Joe Williams back playing; he's so whole-hearted and he and Liam Walsh constantly drive the team forward. Liam was lucky not to get sent off when stopping one breakaway. Central defender Feeney was also very impressive. He is just never beaten down the middle or when pulled out wide.

Dave Abrahams
3 Posted 03/10/2016 at 09:11:38

Why wasn't this game advertised? It's rare the U23s play at Goodison and I'm sure on a Saturday afternoon quite a few fans would have turned up, very annoying.

Ron Sear
4 Posted 03/10/2016 at 09:24:23

Agree with Dave(3). It is quite difficult nailing down where the U23s are playing, the Everton website simply seems to just give the times and dates, if there is a location I can't find it unless somebody else knows where to look. I for one would like to watch the team play from time to time, they do look quite exciting on paper and the results they are getting.

John Dean
6 Posted 03/10/2016 at 09:28:52

I thought there would be a much bigger crowd on Saturday. Mind, some may have been put off as it chucked it down around start time and it looked like we may be playing synchronised football.

ToffeeWeb did say last year they would publicise the games beforehand but they have only done that once to my knowledge. Perhaps crowds will improve when we don't have the horrors of having to play games at Southport.

Jeff Armstrong
7 Posted 03/10/2016 at 09:33:53

It's typical Everton not to advertise an Under-23 game at Goodison, many season ticket holders would gladly take the kids along on a blank Saturday afternoon, for free. Plus lots of others happy to pay a couple of quid at the gate (remember being able to do that!)

The club are quick to email said seasos as a cup game looms, but never to let you know when a reserve game featuring our up-and-coming youngsters are playing. Too much hassle to open a stand or two, or put a couple of gate men in place, I wonder...

Jeff Armstrong
8 Posted 03/10/2016 at 09:35:39

For all you dreamers, Niasse was dragged off after an hour.

Chris Thornton
9 Posted 03/10/2016 at 09:58:19

Ron Sear, you can find the location of games by clicking on the relevant match in the Under-23 fixture list on the official site. So, for example, if you click on the next home game (Chelsea on 23 October) it tells you it's a 19:00 kick-off at Southport. I agree that the club could do a bit more to publicise these matches though.

Brent Stephens
10 Posted 03/10/2016 at 10:08:21

Ron, just to add to what Chris says, the information isn't in the + sign on the left which expands into more info. You have to click on the name of the opposition (strange!).

Derek Thomas
11 Posted 03/10/2016 at 11:12:52

So we have Niasse scoring 2, hitting the bar and having one disallowed for offside in 3 games.

Then we have many wondering why hardly any players make it from the lower ranks and many more wondering why having seen him play, Niasse was signed.

Could it be that the U23s (with maybe the odd exception) – The Competition itself and Niasse – are just not up to it?

Michael Kenrick
12 Posted 03/10/2016 at 16:38:24

John, thanks so much for your match observations.

I don't suppose you made a note of the subs? Seems Courtney Duffus, Antonee Robinson, and either Callum Dyson or Harry Charsley came on in the second half, and Niasse was hauled off, but I can't find confirmation anywhere. And who they replaced???

Thanks.

John Dean
13 Posted 03/10/2016 at 19:22:15

Thanks and I'm glad you find them worth reading, Michael.

Duffus was a straight replacement for Niasse, Robinson replaced Henen and played at left back which involved Jones moving to the right wing from left-back. Charsley was a straight replacement for Williams.

Dave Abrahams
14 Posted 03/10/2016 at 19:29:28

John, I forgot to add my thanks for your report this morning, they are always worth reading and accurate.

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