U23s start 2018 with a win at Spurs

Monday, 15 January, 2018 11comments | Jump to most recent

Everton Under-23s kicked off their New Year with a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday afternoon thanks to an Antony Evans brace.

After fixtures against Barnsley and Manchester City where postponed because of the January weather, the young Blues travelled to Enfield Training Centre to face Spurs, and started the contest brightly. Fraser Hornby was causing the home defence issues from the off - after only two minutes, Evans crossed for the forward but his shot flicked up off his boot as the ball skidded off the wet surface.

At the other end, Spurs had a chance of their own as Jaden Brown's cross found the head of Kazaiah Sterling, however the ball flew harmlessly wide of Mateusz Hewelt's left post. Afterwards, Everton started to control the game, Dennis Adeniran and Conor Grant — making his first appearance for the Toffees after a loan spell at Crewe - both finding space to pick passes throughout the half.

Hornby in particular was being a handful — Matty Foulds expertly picked him out but his header was saved. The Spurs keeper then did even better to deny the Scottish youth international when he seized on a loose ball on the edge of the box.

On 32 minutes Everton thought they had taken the lead through striker Bassala Sambou, only for the linesman to judge the forward to be offside following a good run and shot from Nathan Broadhead.

Broadhead had another opportunity soon after as he met Nathangelo Markelo's cross and, having done the hard work in taking it down, was left frustrated to see his shot sail over the bar to leave the scores level at the break.

After the break, the momentum of play was similar to that of the first half, Spurs having the majority of possession but with the Toffees looking the more dangerous. David Unsworth changed things up on the hour mark, bringing Jose Baxter on for Sambou.

Yet it was Spurs who snatched the opening goal, the ball finding its way to Jack Roles, who slotted past Hewelt on 68 minutes.

However, the Spurs goal seemed to provoke Everton into a reaction, and just 12 minutes later they were in front. First, substitute Baxter slid an excellent ball through to Evans who poked the ball home for a deserved equaliser, then the young forward made space for himself on the right-hand side and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner, ensuring Everton U23s started 2018 with a victory.

Everton U23: Hewelt, Foulds, Gibson, Markelo, Feeney, Broadhead (70' Dyson), Grant, Adeniran, Evans [Y], Sambou (62' Baxter), Hornby (79' Bowler).
Subs not Used: Hilton, Denny.

Reader Comments (11)

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Ajay Gopal
1 Posted 16/01/2018 at 10:51:19

Thank God, there is at least 1 Everton football team that seems capable of scoring goals!

Steve Ferns
2 Posted 16/01/2018 at 10:56:21

I put this on the u18 thread, as the u23 one wasn't up yet. But what would you give for a first team manager to say this:

Unsworth: “Even at 1-0 down, I know that whatever team we put out, we are not going to settle for that. From the first day I got this job, the team spirit and the team ethic has never been in question. I have honest lads who love playing for Everton."

Andrew Lum
3 Posted 16/01/2018 at 11:13:45

#2 Steve, do you know why Garbutt was not involved in this match? Can Gibson play left-back against West Brom?

Steve Ferns
4 Posted 16/01/2018 at 11:25:33

No idea about Garbutt, but Gibson is available for selection. He's a bit young though.

Dave Abrahams
5 Posted 16/01/2018 at 14:07:45

Nice to see Antony Evans on the score sheet. Big things were expected of this lad not too long ago but he hasn't seemed to have progressed in the last 12 months. I hope he is picking up again.

Steve Ferns
6 Posted 16/01/2018 at 14:22:30

I didn't see this one yet Dave. Evans scored a thunderous long ranger didn't he? What's your opinion of him?

And what about our young ginger Messi, Anthony Gordon? Do you think he can go all the way to the top?

Phill Thompson
7 Posted 16/01/2018 at 14:43:45

That's a good win , they often come back from behind.
Steve #6, I'm curious as to why Anthony Gordon hasn't appeared at U23 level. With the goals he's scoring for the u18s, 13 I think now , I'd have thought he'd be playing up a level by now. Maybe Unsworth has looked at how Evans burst onto the U23s scene as a 16 year old then faded after a growth spurt and is now getting his mojo back, so is being cautious with Gordon.

Michael Kenrick
8 Posted 16/01/2018 at 15:31:22

Good to see Calum Dyson getting a run out as a sub. His loan deal to Plymouth Argyle last summer fell through, and he suffered a bad injury just 16 minutes into the first match of the season for the U23s against West Ham back in early August. He has not played since.

I can't find any mention of what his injury was that kept him out for so long. Pity as he was amongst the goals for the U23s last season and I think they have missed him.

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 16/01/2018 at 15:45:00

Steve (6),

I haven't seen hardly anything of Anthony Gordon. The fact he was played in the first team in the Europa League match (if only for a minute) says that he is well regarded at the club.

Phil Thompson, as usual, gives a good explanation of where Anthony Evans is going (hopefully) at Everton. A big lad at 16, he will a handful now with the extra weight and experience he has gained in the last 18 months. He could be a good partner for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the near future.

John Dean
10 Posted 16/01/2018 at 19:39:19

I don't think Evans has quite had his dynamism since he came back from his loan at Fleetwood but he seems to be getting back to his old form. He played very well as right-wing back in a recent game.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of Gordon. The only time I've seen him play, he had a very languid style and it was a surprise to see the ease with which he got around his marker and get his shot off. He is blessed with never seeming to be rushed when the ball is at his feet

Steve Ferns
11 Posted 16/01/2018 at 19:50:04

Anthony Gordon

Someone has made a video on the ginger Messi already.

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