U23s score late to beat Arsenal

Monday, 6 February, 2017 21comments | Jump to most recent

Everton Under-23s regained their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League 2 table with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

In a game of few clear-cut chances, it looked as though the young Blues would be forced to settle for a point when, on a weathered pitch, Courtney Duffus fired a shot over the bar midway through the second half.

But David Unsworth's determined side continued to push forward and eventually got their reward four minutes from the end when Nathan Broadhead latched on to Kieran Dowell's slide-rule pass, danced past his marker and fired into the bottom corner.

Sam Byrne, who has been out with a broken leg since last March, came on as a second-half to announce his return from that horrific injury. The victory stretches the Under-23s' unbeaten run in the league to eight games and keeps the Toffees in pole position for the title with six games left to play.

Everton U23s: Hewelt, Foulds, Pennington, Feeney, Kenny, Walsh, Charsley, Donkor (60' Broadhead), Dowell, Sambou (46' Baningime), C Duffus (74' Byrne).
Subs: Hunt, Henen.

Live Blog at Everton Website

Reader Comments (21)

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John Dean
1 Posted 06/02/2017 at 19:13:43

I think this must be Sam Byrne's first U23 game since he broke his leg last year. He'll have a hard job competing with the strike force we have available to the U23s now.

Gareth Clark
2 Posted 06/02/2017 at 19:22:23

Links anyone!?

David King
3 Posted 06/02/2017 at 19:25:20

Sam Byrne on as sub. Still 0-0; even game so far in terrible conditions.

Anthony Dwyer
4 Posted 06/02/2017 at 19:50:46

I thought Henen had left us!!

Derek Williams
5 Posted 06/02/2017 at 20:45:23

One-nil to the Blue boys!

Derek Williams
6 Posted 06/02/2017 at 20:47:48

Broadhead 86 mins

Geoff Trenner
7 Posted 06/02/2017 at 20:48:27

Goal for young blues. Broadhead after 86 minutes

Geoff Trenner
8 Posted 06/02/2017 at 20:50:41

Well deserved by all accounts.

Dan Egerton
9 Posted 07/02/2017 at 06:08:47

Rodriguez went to Belgium (on loan), not Henen.

Sam Hoare
10 Posted 07/02/2017 at 06:46:00

Donkor not quite as electric in tough conditions. From what I've gleaned, Walsh, Charsley and Pennington were our stand out players.

Walsh's path to the first team looks tough now given our sudden plethora of central midfield options.

Dowell must be feeling left behind by his mate Davies but needs to work hard and find a consistency to accompany his undoubted talent. Perhaps a loan is needed for him?

Liam Reilly
11 Posted 07/02/2017 at 07:54:16

Disagree Sam,

Liam Walsh has had a few injuries but if he can stay fit, then I suspect we could see him on the bench before the season's end.

Dave Abrahams
12 Posted 07/02/2017 at 09:31:07

If Tom Davies is good enough for Everton's first team, which he is proving with every game he plays, so is Liam Walsh, and yet he hasn't been on the bench so far, very strange that.

Peter Gorman
13 Posted 07/02/2017 at 13:58:11

Well, young Walsh is only just back from injury so maybe soon we'll see a glimpse. I think Davies pipped all others by being so obviously tough enough physically for the league; the diminutive stature of Walsh might be a minor factor, though he has proven himself very robust at Yeovil.

A loan for Dowell in a decent football-playing Championship side would do wonders for the lad.

Dave Abrahams
14 Posted 08/02/2017 at 16:32:57

Peter (#13),

Joe Royle rates Liam Walsh very highly and doesn't think his size will stop him from progressing.

Gavin Johnson
15 Posted 08/02/2017 at 16:50:11

Dave, I know you're a big fan of Liam Walsh and you have mentioned him a lot over the last few months so I'm guessing you've seen the lad play a bit. Out of our current/past first team midfielders, who is Walsh most like??

Due to his size and chipping in with a few goals I picture him as an Osman player who's a bit more gnarly overcoming his size with aggression. That said, I've only seen the goals and read the match reports so just thought I'd ask.

Dave Abrahams
16 Posted 09/02/2017 at 09:35:18

Gavin (#15),

Yes you go close with Leon Osman, but a toughened up Leon.

I like his all-round game, passing and tackling, won't give up attitude, hates losing, doesn't slacken, won't let his team mates slacken, that's one reason he has been captain a few times, same as Jonjoe Kenny, they are team players constantly urging their team mates to give a little bit more.

Liam is a natural ball player, like Lookman, a street footballer, football is second nature to him, takes good free kicks and corners.

He is going to make a very good footballer, I sincerely hope it is with Everton.

By the way, after that write-up, I'm no relation to Liam, never met him and I'm not his agent either.

Brian Harrison
17 Posted 09/02/2017 at 09:51:42

I see that all English clubs have failed to qualify for the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League. Chelsea were not eligible having won it for the last 2 years. Spain still has 4 teams left in.

Brent Stephens
18 Posted 09/02/2017 at 09:59:22

Dave (#16) gives a good description of Liam. I would be really excited to see the lad make a debut for the first team. Boundless energy, like Tom Davies.

Gavin Johnson
19 Posted 09/02/2017 at 14:22:16

Thanks for the assessment, Dave. He sounds like he will be the next player from the U23s we will see making an appearance before the seasons out.

Peter Gorman
20 Posted 09/02/2017 at 16:19:20

The reason Dave raves so highly about Walsh is because the kid deserves it.

He is one of the (forgive me) potential 'golden generation' that included Davies, Dowell, Ledson, Connolly and Kenny. Kids with an exceptional attitude.

I've not necessarily seen Walsh as a 'natural' myself; I've seen the evidence that he is peculiarly dedicated to the game, like most of those named above. Simply put, he is always looking to improve. Either way (or both), he is a special player.

Then there is Harry Charsley, a player I'd not bracket with the others in terms of talent but yet of all the youngsters on our books has had the most consistent development, being noticeably better season upon season. If his progress continues at this rate, he will be close to the first team in the next year or two. Has a knack of chipping in with important goals. A lot.

I'd echo Dave's comments about the leadership qualities of Walsh and Kenny. Kenny really should be our second choice fullback were it not for the versatility of Holgate.

Charlie Lloyd
21 Posted 10/02/2017 at 17:53:24

Great result again by the lads. Also minus lots of lads who have gone on loan. I really hope they get the title. The run in is a tough one with Tottenham, Chelsea to play and then, RS the last match.

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