Man City stun U23s in 7-goal battle

Michael Kenrick Sunday, 7 April, 2019 14comments | Jump to most recent

Manchester City U23s 4 - 3 Everton U23s

Everton Under-23s aimed to take a huge step towards the Premier League 2 title if they could have secured victory at Manchester City on Sunday but it was not to be.

A win for David Unsworth's in-form team would have seen them move 6 points clear of second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion with just two matches left to play. The Toffees' goal difference is also six goals better than the south coast side's.

Bassala Sambou put Everton ahead from the spot when Anthony Gordon was hacked down in the first minute, but the Citizens came back into it with an equaliser from Youg from a corner that was headed past Virginia.

Then Bernabe capitalised as Virginia spilt a dangerous cross, drilling home the rebound to put the home side in front just before half-time. Everton went another goal behind on the hour mark but Bassala Sambou pulled one back within 10 mins, and then Fraser Hornby, on as a sub, incredibly levelled the game at 3-3, only for City to come back and score what would prove to be the winner.

Everton remain 3 points ahead of Brighton at the top of Premier League 2, with a superior goal difference; they therefore should need just 1 win from the last 2 games left to secure the trophy and the title again.

The City clash sets things up nicely with Everton now facing title rivals Brighton at Goodison Park on Monday 15 April in what must surely be a title decider for David Unsworth and his young charges.

Everton U23s: Virginia, Astley (69' John), Galloway, Markelo (59' Hornby), Feeney, Gibson, Bowler [Y], Adeniran, Gordon [Y] (67' Foulds), Sambou, Broadhead.
Subs: Hilton, Mampala.

Reader Comments (14)

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Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
1 Posted 07/04/2019 at 02:42:15

No mention of any EFC live streaming, although the coverage provided by Man City of their young stars usually puts Everton to shame, and last time the commentary, though slanted, seemed very fair.

If anyone finds live streams please post them here. Another possibility is that the Echo will send someone to report back "as it happens" but, with the second half of this game overlapping the first half of Everton vs Arsenal at Goodison Park in the Premier League... well, let's just say we know where the overwhelming majority of eyes will be focussed!

Dave Abrahams
2 Posted 07/04/2019 at 13:17:04

Can't see any streaming, I believe City haven't streamed any all season.

Sambou scored a pen after two mins. so we are leading 1-0 .

Phil Smith
3 Posted 07/04/2019 at 13:19:40

What a start! Bassala Sambou after 2 minutes. Obviously Unsi has got them fired up for this one.

Phil Smith
4 Posted 07/04/2019 at 13:20:28

Balls... maybe too fired up. 1-1.

Dave Abrahams
5 Posted 07/04/2019 at 17:04:18

The U23's had only conceded one goal since the start of
December before today's game,then four in one match,
Unsworth out !!!!!

John Dean
6 Posted 07/04/2019 at 20:03:36

Got there too late for Everton's first goal but caught the others. I didn't think we performed well at all today. Sambou, Gordon and Broadhead hardly threatened although Bowler was always a danger as he ran well at, and usually passed, his defender and nearly always produced a cross or a shot on goal.

It was the worst game I've seen Astley play and it was no surprise when he was taken off although John, his replacement fared no better and his man escaped to cross for City's winner.

Apart from Bowler, the only other player to emerge with credit was Gibson who looks a strong, classy player.

Phil Smith
7 Posted 07/04/2019 at 23:21:01

Bowler has looked very good the last few weeks. Lets forget today win it against Brighton next game.

Kase Chow
8 Posted 08/04/2019 at 16:17:31

Apologies but if we lose to Brighton then they erode the lead (and some of the goal difference - particularly if they win 3-0)

In which case we'd need to better their result in order to win the league.

So yes, in theory we only need 1 win (especially if beat Brighton) but it's not straightforward at all now

Good to be in this position though

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 09/04/2019 at 17:07:26

Tickets are free for the game against Brighton, you have to apply at Everton's website, you need a ticket to get in.

Brent Stephens
10 Posted 09/04/2019 at 17:27:32

It might be worth Michael starting a separate thread for the game at GP, emphasising the fact that you'll need a ticket.

Terry Underwood
11 Posted 10/04/2019 at 11:12:32

What would we all give to see the first team in this position????

Steve Ferns
12 Posted 11/04/2019 at 22:51:02

Guys, we need to be promoting this more. Everton are giving FREE entry to EVERYONE for the u23s match against Brighton. Now it's always free to us season ticket holders, but now the club are opening the ground for FREE to everyone. If you are able to go, next Monday night, 15th April, then get down to Goodison Park for a 7.00pm kick off and why not take the kids. It should be a good game and it's not often you see the boys in blue lift a trophy.

Roar them home! BOOK FREE TICKETS HERE

Dave Abrahams
13 Posted 12/04/2019 at 12:50:01

Lewis Gibson the young Everton defender was awarded the player of the month in the premier league 2.

Lewis is the young player brought to Everton by David Unsworth who thought he was the best young player in the country at centre back, he will cost Everton a few million if he makes the progress he is capable of.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]
14 Posted 13/04/2019 at 14:13:43

Dave @ 13. Newcastle must still be spitting feathers we poached him from them.

Not 19 until July, and he has cemented himself into the team a good few years above his age level.

Mind you, the defending in the 4-3 loss to City was atrocious. What's well worth a look if you haven't seen it yet is our second goal. A thing of beauty involving around 7-8 players, moving the ball across the part from right to left before slicing the City defence open for a tap in. Watch all the goals here:

Link

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