East Bengal FC 0 – 6 Everton Academy [PKs: 4 – 1]
A team of Everton U17 players fairly hammered East Bengal 6-0 in the second group game of the Premier League Next Generation Cup this afternoon, and won an extra point in the ensuing penalty shootout.
Everton dominated the play and created a number of chances early on but just could not convert in the first 25-minute half.
But a free-kick taken by Harvey Foster soon after the break was hammered into the roof of the net by Ademide Akarakiri to give Everton the lead. Seconds letter, Everton were 2 goals up as Foster swung in a tricky ball that Wren converted from close range after a short corner.
Joel Catesby then celebrated his new professional contract in some style, driving in from Foster’s short free-kick to power his shot across the keeper and into the net for goal number 3. Substitute Braiden Graham made it 4 with a gift from the East Bengal defence.
Everton then won a soft penalty on Finney, who scored from the spot. Ray Roberts then produced an excellent finish off a feed from Akarakiri, but was later fouled badly, leading to some handbags between the teams, as the Indian side became very frustrated, and the referee wisely cut things short at 48 minutes.
Pickford was first up in the penalty shoot-out, striking it into the corner, but was unable to stop East Bengal replying [1 – 1]
Next up was Braiden Graham who put his spot-kick in off the post; Pickford was shown a yellow card before he dropped down to save East Bengal’s second [2 – 1]
Charlie Stewart stroked his penalty home; Pickford again arguing with the referee as the East Bengal keeper wanted treatment before he was substituted. Pickford then blocked the ball up onto the bar, and down onto the post before he grabbed it — apparently not over the line — deemed a goal [3 – 1]
Ademide Akarakiri then finished things off without further incident to give Everton the additional point from the penalty shoot-out [4 – 1]
Everton now top the group table ahead of Crystal Palace after 2 games.
Everton U17s: G Pickford [Y:PK], Finney, Gardener, Van Schoor (38′ Roberts), Samuels-Smith (28′ Lambert), Foster (43′ Freedman), Akarakiri, Bates (28′ Mattos), Catesby (33′ Stewart), Morgan, Wren (28′ Graham).
Subs not Used: Lukjanciks, Thomas, Beaumont-Clark.
The full game is available on YouTube: East Bengal FC vs Everton Academy