Seasons2021-22Everton News

Everton U23s defeated in first Premier League Cup game

Michael Kenrick Friday, 17 September, 2021 12comments  |  Jump to last
Everton U23s 1 - 3 Sheffield Utd U23s

The first game in Group D of this season's Premier League Cup competition has seen Everton's Under-23 side register a defeat after taking the lead against Sheffield United.

David Unsworth is still without a number of upcoming stars who are sidelined with injuries: Ellis Simms, Tyler Onyango, Einar Iversen, Harry Tyrer and Seb Quirk have yet to appear so far this season.

His side started well and scored in the 9th minute when Rhys Hughes delivered a corner from the right and Lewis Dobbin reacted quickly to flick the ball into the net at the near post for his first competitive goal for the Under-23s.

But this enlivened the visitors who would go on to score two goals in the first half and add a third right after the break.

Article continues below video content

Everton U23s: Leban, Mallon, Hunt [Y:78'], Astley, Welch, Anderson, Hughes, Warrington, Dobbin, McAllister, Cannon.
Subs not Used: Barrett, Butterfield, Price, Whitaker, Campbell.

 

Reader Comments (12)

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Brent Stephens
1 Posted 17/09/2021 at 19:58:38
U23s currently losing 1-2 to Sheffield United. Dobbin smart goal from corner but otherwise their Number 4 has done an impressive job on him.

Our two conceded from diagonal balls from left and right with Anderson (?) and then Welch caught napping. But Warrington again impressing. Cannon again looks off the pace.

Brent Stephens
2 Posted 17/09/2021 at 21:35:21
U23s lost 3-1 to Sheffield United tonight. The Blades were really strong – skillful, tenacious, well-organised.

Despite an early Dobbin goal from a corner, he was hardly in this game. Their Number 4 had him in his pocket and Dobbin didn't have much more of a look-in when he moved over to the right.

I can't say that we had a good challenge in on any of their 3 goals: diagonal balls from left (Anderson napping? A good game despite this) and right (Welch napping? A poor game overall). Their third a shot from just inside our box, central.

Disappointed again with Cannon. Slow, poor control, poor anticipation. But very impressed again by Warrington in midfield. A good shift also from McAllister – he gets stuck in physically, as does Hunt.

Michael Kenrick
4 Posted 18/09/2021 at 10:03:18
Thanks for your notes on this one, Brent. Did you see any subs made by The Blues? None mentioned in the official blog.

Still missing at least five 'star' players through injury by my reckoning. Were you able to secure any updates through your surreptitious enquiries from the sidelines?

Brent Stephens
5 Posted 18/09/2021 at 10:12:50
Michael, no subs made last night, unusually.

Haha, no further updates! I think he was avoiding me!

Can't stress how good Sheffield United were, all over the pitch (and they operate in a lower / weaker division?). Dobbin had a few good moments and chances but really impressed by the way their Zak Brunt dominated Dobbins.

Michael Kenrick
6 Posted 18/09/2021 at 12:46:40
Thanks, Brent. Both youth teams losing 3-1 this weekend in their respective Premier League Cup openers. Must make it that bit tougher for them to progress out of the groups (although I think it's 6 games for each team).

I remain unconvinced about pushing the playing age down and down but we may now not have the players to field older, more experienced sides that might stand a better chance of playing well and winning and playing more games and thereby giving our youngsters more prospects to play, improve, shine, impress, and even win trophies!

Danny O’Neill
7 Posted 18/09/2021 at 12:55:08
Not overly concerned with the results at this level. It's more about development, particularly with the U18s.

Good to hear the feedback on young Warrington Brent. He's caught my eye on the few occasions I've watched him. I suppose the only concern is that he's another that has been locked in the academy bubble since a very young age from what I understand.

Personal view, but I don't always feel that is healthy.

Phill Thompson
8 Posted 18/09/2021 at 13:58:23
Thanks Brent, much appreciated. Unsworth was quite scathing about the performance of those coming in, which is unlike him, but suggested that they really didn’t take their chance. It seems like another disappointing game from Dobbin after his flurry of goals pre season.
Mike Corcoran
9 Posted 18/09/2021 at 14:05:48
Hope Wallasey lad Warrington cracks on and makes it. Don’t think we’ve had one in the first team since Derek Mountfield.
Tony Everan
10 Posted 18/09/2021 at 14:57:48
Thanks for the report Brent. Good to hear Warrington and McAllister had a decent game, still only 18 and it sounds like they are holding their own and impressing at U23 level.

An interview with Sean McAllister talking about his background and breaking his leg in a cup final just as he was about to join us.

Everton teenager wanted by Celtic given academy captaincy as progress continues

Paul Birmingham
11 Posted 18/09/2021 at 22:56:54
Early days but, for me, the body language of this team this season tells a story. That's my view but I've watched this level for a long time and there's no shape and no leadership. Playing with no belief and no genuine hope.

Only my view, and I respect all views, but there's no spark this term that stays lit for 94 minutes.

Phill Thompson
12 Posted 19/09/2021 at 20:39:36
Paul#11, it’s great to have a body language expert posting and I’m intrigued. Unlike you I didn’t see Fridays game, but I did see the two previous games where the u21/23s won 1-0 each time. Which players in particular where highlighting the body language signs you detected and for my help what were these signs? Ta.
Paul Birmingham
13 Posted 19/09/2021 at 21:21:01
Phil in my view most of the team.

NB I’m not a body language expert, but having watched football at amateur level, to professional level for years you can spot the signs.

Let’s see who plays and what happens in the next few games.

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