Blues one point closer to Premier League 2 title

Kenwright was next to Steve Walsh in the stands and between those two and Unsworth we hopefully get some of these lads involved at first team level. They've got heart and can play.

Looked a good game tonight. Besic also came through the 90 mins well, looking comfortable at centre back. Where was Galloway?

Notice the corners off Dowell and Walsh played with plenty of pace on the ball, the one from Liam nearly produced the winner with the header off Jonjoe. I wish I had seen the full game, it must have been very good if it was the same as the 20 minutes or so that I saw.

He should have played right back, when Seamus got his leg broken. I know Holgate has done okay there, but Jonjoe is a more natural right back. Hopefully his time will come.

Joking Michael, you did very well to get a report out so soon after the game, well done.

Dowell and Sambou... need one more.

Even the Chelsea TV commentary acknowledged we were far and away the better team and should have been five up! Very impressive all over the park. They lucked out with the opening breakaway goal completely against the run of play.

I also liked Baningime. Jonjoe solid as ever. So was Robinson at left back and Feeney at centre back. Besic looked very ring rusty. Very weak turning his back on their equalising goal.

Charsley and Williams not quite at it. Walsh - other his goal - also a tad under par. Dowell influential and Sambou tireless in his efforts but still a bit raw.

An enjoyable watch.

Seems we deserved the win but I'll take the draw! Well done lads!! Let's close it out last game so no reason to watch over our shoulders.

These can be seminal moments for the medium term future of a football club. A catalyst for progression. If its possible, get there. It matters.
(Good to see you at Old Trafford, Martin. Hopefully, see you tomorrow!)

I know it's a major step up, but if these lads were able to supply Lukaku in the same way, we would be in serious business. They are constantly looking for the forward killer pass.

At the end, Liam Walsh shaped to shoot and played in a beautifully disguised pass for Jon Joe Kenny, which lead to the corner. Kenny was terrific throughout. I hope he gets a run in one or two of the remaining games. Antonee Robinson is also looking good at left back.

Dave, I think Michael missed out on Robinson, Dowell and Sambou, but great to have a report out as you say.

Bill Kenwright was very sociable and chatting to the fans at half time. The fans were out in force and outnumbered the oppo fans and there were about 250 in total.

http://www.evertonfc.com/fixtures/2010-to-2019/2016-2017/english-premier-league-2/chelsea-u23-vs-everton-u23/match

Preserve beyond the Jackson 5 and it begins.

ps: Good post again!

I know everyone will say the same things about there own football team, Graeme (#34), but I do think the reason Everton, are such a special club, is really because of the passion of the fans, who genuinely love their club. I think Koeman, has realised this, and hope it helps him to convince a few top players to want to join us for next season!

He's saying that he wants to fill the squad out with these younger players though, but I'm not so sure that will be so easy for him because, if they do go on and prove what Peter is saying, then I don't think many of them will be wanting to just play Under-23 football again next year...

Morgan Feeney also stood up to the challenge well. A really terrific team performance overall.

Any chance of a similar turn-out in a couple of weeks?

Fiver to get in, kids free, all money to EiTC. Could be rocking.

Kenny was one of the stand out players for England's youth a few years ago, along with Ledson who I personally believe wasn't gladly let go by the club but himself decided to pursue first-team football as you fear.

I had the pleasure of chatting to some Oxford Utd fans a few months ago about the players that connect us, including Lundstram and McAleny (who are doing well there), but they simply raved about Ledson, saying he was something special.

Mick Davies – believe us when we say Liam Walsh is the real deal. At U23 level he looks like a Rolls-Royce player; technically great with an eye for a killer pass. Even in the first minute of the game at Aldershot he played a superb ball to Sambou (otherwise excellent) which was shot over the bar. A very intelligent footballer.

Walsh reminds me in many ways of Davies insofar as nothing seems to phase him, he is eager to learn (as evidenced by his year on year improvement) and he is incredibly vocal on the pitch. What a tantalising thought!

Just hope we don't lose some to other clubs, if they don't get an opportunity to show their worth.

Young Tom Davies has thrived since playing for the first team. I'm sure one or two others could do the same.

I keep reading reports of Walsh leaving in the summer permanently for Barnsley, Yeovil etc.

I am trying not to read too much into the fact he doesn't feature on the bench, after all our midfield is our strongest department by some distance.

They are too good and too ambitious to remain at Everton staying in the U23's, they must be given some sign that are close to getting some time with first team, or like Ledson they will be on their way. Ledson will return to a Premier League team before too long.

Particularly liked Robinson and Baningime. Have to agree Besic looked quite off the pace in Premier League terms. Shame that last-minute save.

Attitude and real character are the keys as you say mate, because it's something that is definitely lacking in our first team at the minute.

Everton Football Club lack real winners but it looks like this stops at The Chairman because it definitely looks like Moshiri has Huge plans, which might not be so good for these kids who are trying to break through?

"We are all winners in that dressing room – we all hate losing, and even drawing games. It doesn't matter if it's in training, we're still the same."

After what we witnessed against West Ham, this is pretty sweet music to the ears.

It was about three weeks ago. It was a Yorkshire paper I stumbled across on Google News when I searched "Everton." It said a manager – pretty sure it was Barnsley – was scouting Liam Walsh with view to a permanent summer signing when his Everton contract expires.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fc-youngster-liam-walsh-8751100

Whilst that did not quite happen, what a pleasure it was to see a vibrant attacking display by the young Blues. They fully deserved to win even though Chelsea were certainly in the game 2nd half. Every blue was excellent and they tried to play football throughout.

Kenny is first team ready in my humble opinion, excellent on the night and Walsh, Sambou and Baningime were very good with the others not far behind. A few of these will be valuable squad players with Europa League commitments next season and the future looks really promising.

One other comment: Besic is a long way off being ready for the first team as yet. Physically fit but not match sharp.

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2016/09/09/walsh-signs-new-contract

We've got him until June 2019 at least. Phew! Well, if he does go now it will be entirely the clubs' cock-up as opposed to some Dan Gosling style shenanigans (which on reflection, was also the club's cock-up).

I would make a point of going to that derby Brian but alas I will be on the other side of the world. Quietly cheering on the reds tonight (they are only kids so innocent of the sins of their fathers).

Hope a big crowd turn out for the young uns.

COYYB

It's probably a load of bullshit then cause the story was based around the supposedly expiring contract.

Btw, I'm basing that not only on the fact the U23s could play them off the park but I've also seen my fair share of women's football when my ex-wife played goalie for several years.

It wasn't just the fact she ran off with her centre-forward that made me loathe every minute I wasted.

Who the hell is this kid Baningime? I'd never heard of him until I saw this story the other week with the Kante comparisons. Did we buy him like Sambou or has he come up from school boy level? Does anyone know.

Baningme joined Everton aged 9. He's from the Congo. He was a peripheral figure with the u18 not long ago so he must have stepped up pretty quickly.

Made me realize how good even the players we say are cack have to be to play in the Premier League. I can understand how young Tom Davies finds it difficult at times but also understand just how talented that lad must be!

Thanks Kieran – sounds like one to watch!

I'd love to see some of our young lads put in the first team, if not away at Swansea, then certainly at home against Watford. They could do no more than win their league this year – there must be a few talented players there, like Jonjoe Kenny, who haven't really had a look in yet. Give them a little reward for their fine efforts.