Seasons2021-22Everton News
Everton U23s suffer another defeat at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace U23s 3 - 1 Everton U23s
Everton's Under-23s suffered a second successive 3-1 defeat, this time at Selhurst Park this evening.
Newcomers to Premier League 2, Crystal Palace took the lead just before the half-hour mark through Rak-Sayki but the Blues had the chance to level things up 5 minutes into the second half when Lewis Dobbin powered past his man but was felled and the referee pointed to the spot.
Unfortunately Rhys Hughes's tame spot-kick was saved and Palace were awarded a penalty of their own just a couple of minutes later, Rob Street made no mistake from 12 yards.
It was 3-0 not long afterwards when Street bundled it over the line from close range after the Blues' defence failed to clear their lines.
A brilliant free-kick from Charlie Whitaker clawed a goal back 12 minutes before the end.
Everton U23s: Leban, John, Welch, Astley, Campbell, Price [Y:62'], Butterfield, Mills, Whitaker, Hughes [Y:16'] (60' Garcia), Dobbin.
Subs not Used: Barrett, Anderson, Higgins, Cannon.
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Reader Comments (32)
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2 Posted 27/08/2021 at 19:25:56
3 Posted 27/08/2021 at 19:32:12
4 Posted 27/08/2021 at 19:33:25
5 Posted 27/08/2021 at 19:55:45
6 Posted 27/08/2021 at 19:58:23
Overall, Palace deserve their lead …. just.
7 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:00:47
Leban
John, Welch, Astley, Campbell
Price, Butterfield
Mills, Whitaker, Hughes,
Dobbin.
So 6 Scholars in there. Palace have a 27-year-old playing.
8 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:09:16
9 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:13:05
10 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:15:47
Ooof, Hughes has soft kick saved, still 1-0.
11 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:15:48
12 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:18:24
2-0 Palace
13 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:22:34
14 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:24:15
15 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:40:45
16 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:41:01
17 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:47:41
18 Posted 27/08/2021 at 20:51:12
19 Posted 27/08/2021 at 21:04:40
20 Posted 28/08/2021 at 01:35:16
For too many years our U23s have been a shopping window for our lads of 20-23yrs who have never made it to our 1st team and Unsy didnt want to ditch them and they were denying our brighter younger lads to be tested. Yet they brought us success in the PL 2, which satisfied Unsy, but not Brands.
Tonight Palace had 3-4 lads who have played in their 1st team, or been on the bench, but even their young lads Rak- Saki, Street, and their No 19 sub were so much physically stronger than our lads. Graham Stuart commentating repeatedly stated it was hard, and called their sub a mini “Traore” after the Wolves lad after one run were he just barged his way past 3-4 of our lads to get a shot on target.
Going to be a difficult year for Unsy to manage.
21 Posted 28/08/2021 at 01:45:52
22 Posted 28/08/2021 at 09:31:27
We dont seem to be producing the “eye catching individuals “ capable of unlocking defences that other teams have. The likes of Whitaker, Mills, Butterfield and Price look good in individual moments, fade, come back again, fade again. They all have something about them, maybe were expecting too much for them to dominate games at 17. At least were getting to see them play and six months development can make a big difference at their age.
23 Posted 28/08/2021 at 09:56:44
I like Whitaker, he reminds me a little bit of Adrian Heath, and is the one most likely to do something a little bit differently, and although Mills, was often careless with his final ball, hes another one who keeps working away, so for myself I saw loads of positives, especially after
reading just how young this team really are.
Six months development at this stage of your career is absolutely massive Phill, but maybe these players need a little bit more experience and physicality in the team, because its got to be all about “how you nurture talent” and with us mainly producing players who dont possess the ability to do something a little bit different, then Id say these kids will definitely need more help.
24 Posted 28/08/2021 at 11:36:35
Ryan Astley is the captain and left centre back last night, usually hes right sided but moved across to accommodate Welch on the right side. For me he our leader. In other matches too hes been the one reading the danger, sticking his head in when needed. Even at 19 hes been around the U23s 2or 3 years. A very talented Wales u21 international, my concern is whether hes got the physical size for the PL.
The one player not mentioned is centre back Reece Welch, 17, whos progressing nicely and is in the current Englandu19 team. I think the club have pinned their CB hopes on him, training with the first team etc.
25 Posted 28/08/2021 at 11:52:59
26 Posted 28/08/2021 at 12:02:02
27 Posted 28/08/2021 at 12:10:13
Simms, Branthwaite and Onyango would make a difference but no point these lads coasting through games in their comfort zone. They all need challenging.
I like the look of Whitaker, Price and Welch in particular but some of the others may step up.
28 Posted 28/08/2021 at 12:10:20
Overall I though Kyle John was poor. There was one time in the first half he had the ball in clear space and failed to drive on into the box, electing an attempted cross which came to nothing. For me he keeps getting beaten for pace by fast attackers and is not good enough defensively. He perked up a bit in the second half but not enough for me.
Im being harsh perhaps, but we need to be. Only a few of these kids will make it, I dont think John will be one of them. 🤷♂️
29 Posted 28/08/2021 at 12:14:36
30 Posted 28/08/2021 at 12:38:09
I heard great things about Price, when he was only about ten, and although I can see hes got talent, I wonder how much heart hes got? The kid is still only very light, but this shouldnt stop him being braver with the ball at his feet, and thats why I think we will know a lot more about these players once we get this winter out of the way?
Whats happened to Warrington. Has the kid been injured?
31 Posted 28/08/2021 at 13:36:35
Ive been impressed by Butterfield this season, hes kicked on a bit in that deeper, no 6 position more so than Price maybe.
Its a dilemma for Unsworth now, does he change personnel, formation or both. The u18s are just starting and theres probably only Jensen Metcalfe whos looked ready for a step up, but hes very similar to Butterfield and Price.
Sometimes you have to take a deep breath and work through the issues, but this is where Unsworth earns his money, I just hope he doesnt revert to an ultra conservative style.
32 Posted 28/08/2021 at 15:59:28
I'd be telling these kids to keep working hard, keep fighting, and although it's hard work, the ones that really want it will reap the benefits in the future, but that's because I believe this to be true, and I also believe that the more belief and trust you put into young players, the more you will get out of them.
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1 Posted 27/08/2021 at 19:10:15