Everton U23s lose 1 - 4 to Norwich City

Friday, 4 November, 2016 15comments | Jump to most recent

Everton Under-23s were crushed 4-1 by Norwich City in Group D of the Premier League Cup at Goodison Park this evening, with David Henen sent off.

Darron Gibson made a rare appearance as he struggles to regain full fitness for this season's Premier League campaign. It also marked a welcome return for Tyias Browning after almost a year sidelined with injury.

After hitting the post, the visitors took the lead through Louis McIntosh.

Half-Time: Everton U23s 0 - 1 Norwich City

Gibson and Browning were replaced after the break by Courtney Duffus and Gethin Jones but, in a dreadful second half for the Blues, they fell behind to two more goals before David Henen was ejected from the field for a second yellow-card offence.

Substitute Callum Dyson pulled one back for the Blues with a cool finish 4 minutes from the end but they conceded another goal to complete the rout.

Everton U23s: Gray, Kenny (c), Robinson, Gibson (46' Jones), Browning (46' C Duffus), Feeney, Dowell, Foulds (64' Dyson), Calvert-Lewin, Charsley, Henen [YY-R].
Subs: Renshaw, Yarney.

Reader Comments (15)

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Dave Abrahams
1 Posted 04/11/2016 at 15:45:23

Gibson is playing in this game tonight, according to Everton's website. lt is only his second game this season.

Michael Kenrick
2 Posted 04/11/2016 at 19:24:29

I can't believe it's been almost a year since Browning last played...

He played in a handful of Premier League games last season as a stand-in for Seamus Coleman but suffered an injury playing for Everton's U21s in November. He was forced to go under keyhole surgery on his damaged knee that was expected to require months of rehabilitation, dealing the young defender a significant blow just when he was hoping to take the next step in his development.

I couldn't believe it when Roberto Martinez said back then that the 21-year-old would not play again until this season. Turns out Mr Phenomenal Physiotherapist was right! Let's hope it holds up for the lad. I thought he did really well for us at the top level before that injury.

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 04/11/2016 at 19:37:01

In fact, it's exactly a year to the day since he last played for the Under-21s:

Blackburn Rovers 1 - 2 Everton

Dave Abrahams
4 Posted 04/11/2016 at 21:52:48

Just got back from the game, very disappointing performance. Throughout the game, Norwich played as a team, looked like they had played together for quite awhile. Everton were mostly individual efforts, never worked as a team. Norwich thoroughly deserved their victory and to be honest it could have been a bigger win.

It looked like Browning and Gibson played the first half for a run-out, neither of them played full-out, so you wonder how seriously Everton are taking this competition.

Kenny was his usual reliable self, putting some good tackles in and he tried to rally his side, but to no avail. Dowell had some good moments but it was Norwich with good players all over the field who caught the eye, especially their left winger, Glenn Middleton, who is only sixteen, and their No 10, Todd Cantwell – they were just too good for Everton.

Tony Hill
5 Posted 04/11/2016 at 22:05:54

Thanks, Dave, for the comments; disappointing result. I had very high hopes for Dowell, and still do, but I worry that he's getting a bit lost and that he might be a bit lightweight. Time yet for him though.

Peter Mills
6 Posted 04/11/2016 at 22:28:59

Thanks, Dave.

Anthony Dwyer
7 Posted 05/11/2016 at 00:04:37

No Niasse again. No win again.

Loko Sanchez
8 Posted 05/11/2016 at 01:00:58

Niasse must have slept with somebody's missus at the club. Can't even get a game with the U23s after banging in goals.

Kieran Kinsella
9 Posted 05/11/2016 at 03:40:32

No Davies.

Michael Kenrick
10 Posted 05/11/2016 at 05:43:45

Dave, thanks for those thoughts on the game. Sorry it was such a downer.

With Holgate, Davies and Connolly absent from this one, maybe one of them at least will travel with he senior squad?

Liam Reilly
11 Posted 05/11/2016 at 08:30:37

I suspect Davies and Holgate to be in the travelling squad tonight.

This was a bit of a spanking; I wonder if the injury to Liam Walsh contributed to that.

Good to see Browning back. I've high hopes for him. Gibson, what can you say really; his latest contract should've been pay-as-you-play.

Dave Abrahams
12 Posted 05/11/2016 at 09:21:39

Liam (#11), Walsh does make a difference to the team, but on reflection, apart from Gibson and Browning, there were no senior players in the team, and I don't know the ages of the Norwich team, although I didn't recognise any of the names in the Norwich team.

Just put it down to a poor performance, they were completely disorganised apart from a decent spell after half-time when they looked like they would come back and take over the game. I hope they do better against Blackpool on Tuesday.

By the way, the roof leaks in The Stanley Park end, I had to move twice. Where is the money, Bill?

Dave Williams
13 Posted 05/11/2016 at 10:47:54

What is up with Walsh, Dave? Nothing major, I hope?

Dave Abrahams
14 Posted 05/11/2016 at 13:37:51

Dave (13) I don't know, he came off with an ankle injury against Chelsea in the last game but there has been no word from the club since.

Brent Stephens
15 Posted 05/11/2016 at 13:47:33

Niasse probably being saved for today's game against Chelsea!

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