Everton U23s beat Derby County with Whitaker goal

Brilliant start, Mills cuts in, passes to Whitaker, runs into box and tucks it away.

1-0

Nearly a second, 1-0 after 6 mins.

Big crowd here tonight.

For anybody watching in black and white, Everton are in blue.

Haha Brent - the old ones are the best!

Don’t tell anyone, Pyke.

Brent, ask your mate Tyler how his comeback is going please.

Phil, he’s smoking. Somebody must have upset him!

Dobbin is on fire.

See Hunt is on the bench. First sighting this season. Has he been injured?

Not seen Seb Quirk so far this season either...

Pretty competitive... but why are we doing this slow playing out from the back?

Michael, I think we're mixing it up with longer cross-field passes. First goal a case in point from Jo.

Salomon Rondon to wear the #33 shirt.

Enjoyable first half, but they should have extended their lead. Let's hope they don't end up regretting that in the second half.

I see Derby's first team are also playing tonight – I would like to see Rooney make a success of his managerial opportunity.

Warrington and Price tackling everything that moves and using the ball well – both having good efforts saved too. Enjoying their performances a lot. Whitaker finding good pockets of space well too and looks a threat.

Dobbin needs to control the ball better but looks like scoring. Nothing much on the flanks though and no real spark of creativity. Defence making heavy weather of getting the ball through the press also.

Amazing clearance by Campbell!

Because we offer very little up front, Derby have grown in confidence a lot and started to make it a very even game. Neither side really looks like crafting a goal particularly.

A pretty scrappy second half from us, little creativity in midfield or going forward, but they dug in and got the points. 🤷‍♂️

Hard fought win, some good last-ditch defending. As Robert has said, not much outlet up front for the last 30 mins. Even so, we could have easily been 2-0 up.

It was a bit unlucky I thought that we didn't score from that chance 6 yards out. The excellent cross came in at such a pace that he just tried to get something on it and the ball ricocheted over.

Sean McAllister, 18-year-old, has got something about him, some pace a bit of aggression and direct. He didn't really get too much involved when he came on but he is a player to watch.

Phil (18), yes I only watched the second half, forgot about the game until then, and I thought it was very scrappy with the midfield never really getting hold of the ball and trying to use it.

Yes they dug in and got the points but surely there should be a plan and a style to their game, don't want to go on too much about the coaching, there didn't seem to be any plan as far as I could see.

I will not criticise any of the players as they are mostly a very young team and will grow together. It seemed a very stop and start game with numerous free kicks, that seems to be the way of football in the U23s matches and not just at Everton.

Dobbin was so strong again. His ability to receive and control the ball, at pace. His ability to shield the ball, and strength. His acceleration and speed. Love the guy.

Phill #6 - I did actually get to talk to Tyler again. He's a couple of weeks away from full scale training (I think he said with the senior squad).

Disappointed again with Tom Cannon. Stark contrast with Dobbin who's always sniffing across the County lines!

Brent (21), Dobbin’s pace added to awareness, good control should mark him down as been on the sub’s bench quite a lot this season. That’s not a knock down but an indication of how good he could be playing with senior players around him.

Dave, yes, subs bench a lot I guess. As you say, a positive comment. Really excited about the guy! His speed and strength are just so impressive. And no little skill when closely marked. Excited me more than Simms has done.

Dave #20, I think we had a plan with 3 at the back, but the two wing backs were finding their feet in those roles. The three in the middle of them, Warrington, Price, Butterfield, are similar type players who shine in a defensive / screening role, have good passing ability but don’t dominate the midfield with a possession type game. We seem to lack an outstanding midfielder who everything goes through. Maybe Jenson Metcalfe will step up.
Both Dobbin and Whitaker had some good touches, but overall it shows how far they all are from the PL and first team. Which is just a statement to temper expectations really as the majority last night were 17/18 and will develop further.

Phill, I thought Warrington looked most ready out of anyone on show. Although I see decent promise in a few others. I wonder if he'll be next to graduate to the loan system / first team bench.

A win is a win, but taking in the average age and injuries to key squad players missing from last season, it was a good result.

Hopefully the team will take strength and grow as a team but it’s early days but I think this is a transition season for this team.