Season › 2016-17 › News Donkor helps U23s to victory over Man United Monday, 30 January, 2017 52comments | Jump to most recent Bassala Sambou came off the bench to score twice and secure another fine win for the U23s New signing Anton Donkor had a lively debut as Everton Under-23s beat the Red Devils 3-1 at Leigh Sports Ground this evening. The Blues' new loan signing from Wolfsburg was given his first run-out in Premier League 2 and claimed an assist for the second goal as Courtney Duffus and Bassala Sambou both found the net to put David Unsworth's team six points clear at the top of the table. Donkor was into the action quickly, winning a first-half penalty for Liam Walsh to despatch but the midfielder's spot-kick was saved. Donkor then missed a great chance at the back post and the Blues hit the woodwork as they continued to boss the game. Walsh went close later in the half with an effort that was cleared off the line by United but Everton's pressure told when Courtney Duffus finished off a lovely move to put them ahead. Kieran Dowell found Walsh whose first-time knock was curled into the corner by Duffus as Everton took a 1-0 lead into the break. United had the chance to level the game almost immediately after half-time, however, when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Matthew Pennington. But they spurned the chance when Harrop blasted over from 12 yards. However, when the hosts were given another penalty a few minutes later, Mitchell stepped up and converted to level the match at 1-1, a reflection of the fact that they had taken control of the contest. Everton hit back though and restored their lead with a terrific finish by substitute Bassala Sambou from Donkor's pass and the striker doubled the advantage soon afterwards when the visitors were awarded the fourth penalty of the night from another Donkor through-ball. Sambou, one of two changes made by John Ebbrell — Unsworth was not in attendance, sparking speculation he was off concluding another transfer deal — after United's goal, stutter-stepped to send the 'keeper the wrong way and tucked the ball into the opposite corner to make it 3-1. Harrop cracked a dipping shot off the bar as the home side tried to find a way back into the game in the closing stages but the Blues held on to another fine result. Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Foulds, Walsh (67', Kiersey), Feeney, Pennington, Dowell, Charsley, C Duffus (62' Sambou), Dyson (62' Broadhead), Donkor. Subs not Used: Hunt, Yates. Reader Comments (52) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Terry Davies 1 Posted 30/01/2017 at 18:19:37 How can I find out team news? Geoff Trenner 2 Posted 30/01/2017 at 18:27:34 Evertonfc.com live blog probably best, Terry. It looks like young Mr Donkor might be involved based on comments from Rhino. Terry Davies 3 Posted 30/01/2017 at 18:31:00 Thanks Geoff, will go there now. Looking forward to this! Paul Thompson 4 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:39:15 Decent live link herehttp://www.vipleague.is/football/314682/1/mutv-%7C-manchester-united-tv-live-stream-online.html Ben Hayes 5 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:44:44 Just gone 1-0 up just before half time... not sure on the scorer yet though. Brian Garside 6 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:45:55 http://cricfree.sc/watch/live/manchester-united-u23-vs-Everton-u23-live-streaming Ben Hayes 7 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:49:29 Live league with tonight's results – we are one up at Man Utd... scored the most and conceded the least – things are looking good: 1. Everton U23 1-0 15 11 2 2 33:10 35 2. Manchester City U23 2:0 15 9 4 2 29:17 31 3. Liverpool U23 14 7 3 4 26:16 24 4. Chelsea U23 14 5 7 2 28:18 22 5. Arsenal U23 14 7 1 6 22:19 22 6. Sunderland U23 15 5 6 4 19:20 21 7. Manchester United U23 0:1 15 4 5 6 14:21 17 8. Reading U23â–² 1:0 15 5 2 8 24:33 17 9. Tottenham U23â–² 3:0 15 4 4 7 22:27 16 10. Southampton U23â–¼ 0:3 15 4 3 8 18:28 15 11. Leicester U23 0:2 14 3 3 8 17:30 12 12. Derby U23 0:1 15 2 4 9 15:28 10 Ciarán McGlone 8 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:53:42 Courtney Duffus got it. Ben Hayes 9 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:55:16 Thanks Ciaran :-) Eugene Ruane 10 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:05:56 Just noticed Koeman is there. Eugene Ruane 11 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:08:40 They just ballooned a pen over, still 1-0. Ciarán McGlone 12 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:18:23 Another penalty... United on terms.We're barely getting a touch. Eugene Ruane 13 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:18:39 1-1 (another pen). They've really come at us 2nd half. Paul Thompson 14 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:20:20 Two very poor tackles giving those pens away. Really on the back foot now. Paul Thompson 15 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:30:57 Anichibe-like goal from sub Sambou - 2-1 to the blues. Eugene Ruane 16 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:31:13 2-1 us! John Ronnie 17 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:31:25 2-1 now Sambou Ciarán McGlone 18 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:32:05 Jack Kiersey looks about 9 years old... Brent Stephens 19 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:37:38 Another pen to us John Ronnie 20 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:38:21 Penalty to us Brent Stephens 21 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:38:34 Converted Eugene Ruane 22 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:38:40 Get in! Everton Wint 23 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:39:17 Penalty to us.... COYBs Sambou is hot: 1-3 Gareth Clark 24 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:40:15 Donkor sounds like he's a very good addition! Everton Wint 25 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:42:33 I think our U23s are the reason Koeman doesn't need cover up front. Michael Kenrick 26 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:44:16 Nice that MUFCTV are using the old Fat Lady Beehive Everton Logo... how long as that been a goner??? Brian Wilkinson 27 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:44:55 Nearest rivals Man City drawing 3 all at Leicester. Ciarán McGlone 28 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:56:47 Donkor looks interesting. Gareth Clark 29 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:57:23 Just started watching the stream for the last 15 minutes...Missed most of the good stuff – but the likes of Sambou & Donkor are already physically quite big & capable! Eugene Ruane 30 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:59:38 Enjoyed that and great to see Joe Royle at the end with a big soppy grin on him (and a big soppy hat).Michael # 26, that did have me muttering like Mutley - "Fuggingfisherfuckingpriceunitednobheads" Paul Thompson 31 Posted 30/01/2017 at 21:04:31 Didn't see some of the first half, but on balance a deserved win. Donkor really impressed me. Intelligent player with a real physical presence who played a number of excellent through balls. Sambou was a handful when he came on. Walsh was good in the first half, but faded and was then injured. Wasn't impressed by Dowell I'm afraid – largely anonymous in the stuff I saw at least. And Kenny wasn't as good as I remembered. Ray Robinson 32 Posted 30/01/2017 at 21:30:57 Just back from the match. For the first time in ages I have seen a young Everton team blessed with pace. Anton Donkor looks a very powerful pacey player and I was impressed too with Courtney Duffus. Bassala Sambou looked a terrific prospect when he came on and scored a great goal, holding off two defenders before poking past the keeper. Pennington looks like a natural leader and was solid throughout. Nobody had a bad game.We looked compact in defence and very disciplined with two banks of four, snuffing out United apart from a twenty minute spell immediately after half time. Energy levels and ball retention were good and interceptions plentiful. Team:1. Mateusz Hewelt2. Jonjoe Kenny3. Matthew Foulds4. Liam Walsh5. Morgan Feeney6. Matthew Pennington7. Kieran Dowell8. Harry Charsley9. Courtney Duffus10. Callum Dyson11. Anton Donkorsubs:12. Nathan Broadhead14. Bassala Sambou15. Jack Kiersey Patrick Murphy 33 Posted 30/01/2017 at 21:39:09 Looks like Sambou has a bit of an attitude too – judging by his penalty – not a bad thing for a forward player to have. Penalty Ray Robinson 34 Posted 30/01/2017 at 21:45:31 Yes, Patrick I noticed that too. There were a few verbals between him and the goalie before the penalty, which resulted in the United keeper getting booked. However, I have to say that I don't like the Lukaku type penalty technique. Lev Vellene 35 Posted 30/01/2017 at 21:47:46 Ray #31, thank you for that report! I watched the game online and I can't really add too much to your report. It was only a Premier League 2 game, but the seeming coherence of our players working together, left me wanting more for our main team! Paul Birmingham 36 Posted 30/01/2017 at 21:59:15 Back from the game and a well earned hard fought victory. Well organised and should have gone in at HT at least 2-1, up. Second half and a few changes they canned us for about 15 mins and some resolute defending and we picked them off. Happy days and let's hope for more good results for us this week. NB Donkor looks very sharp and Foulds and Pennington looked solid. Let's hope that this team can manage out the last 6 games and win the league. Not getting too carried away but genuine optimism is springing up for the future of our club. Paul Conway 37 Posted 30/01/2017 at 22:07:54 This outfit could have gone far in the FA Cup had we decided to field them instead of the seniors ... A current trend at the minute.Donkor looks like he shovel some PL defenders already these are mouthwatering times indeed. COYB! Lee Whitehead 38 Posted 30/01/2017 at 22:09:18 Paul No.36You're dead right, buddy - Donkor and Sambou look quality!Maybe we don't to spend millions on a new striker after all."The future is bright the future is Blue" Liam Reilly 39 Posted 30/01/2017 at 22:21:04 Was watching the text updates on the OS; why did Walsh come off, injury or precautionary? Mike McLoughlin 40 Posted 30/01/2017 at 22:51:16 Went to the match tonight and was very impressed with a very well organised Everton under 23 side. They absolutely controlled the first half where Man Utd were reduced to one scrambled attack on Goal. Where the blues had several chances and with a little more composure we would have gone in at half time more than the one ahead. I was particularly impressed with Pennington alongside Feeney, a good partnership. Charsley had a great first half in the middle, along with Walsh. Dowell showed some great touches on Everton's right and Donkor impressed on the right, looking strong, pacey and skilfull. Duffus scored a good goal with a great build up. To be fair all of the youngsters impressed and must mention both full backs Foulds and Kenny controlled the Utd attacks very well and Dyson was busy up front. The second half began and for the first 20 minutes Utd were in the ascendancy and the blues couldn't get hold of the ball and Utd were awarded a dubious penalty which was blasted over the top of Hewletts crossbar. Not long after that Mitchell tapped the Ball past Feeney only to grab Feeney's arm then tumble over, penalty which was dispatched well to Hewlett's right. 1-1. Ebbrell made a double change bringing on Broadhead and Sambou. This immediately turned the game back in Everton's direction and it wasn't long before Sambou showed great strength and skill to put the blues up 2-1. A well won penalty very well despatched by Sambou concluded a very impressive night for the Blues. Ronald Koeman was in attendance and would have been impressed with Pennington who organised the back 4 very well and was on the end of most crosses put into the box. The future looks bright, the future is Blue. Barry Pearce 41 Posted 30/01/2017 at 22:59:26 Great result. Hope Walsh is not injured again. Ste Lewis 42 Posted 30/01/2017 at 23:21:17 Donkor a big unit, fast, aggressive and direct... but yes this is how we like our wingers. ;-)Liked the look of Sambou too when he came on – style and swagger reminded me of RS Sturridge (before he was shit) much more lively than than Dyson and Duffus. Anthony Dwyer 43 Posted 30/01/2017 at 23:40:01 Reports sound promising, players sound promising too, 3-1 win even with Holgate, Browning, Calvin-Lewin and Davies unavailable.I'm made up Ronny was in attendance to see the lads first hand, and great to hear Donkor and Sambou were impressive. Shane Corcoran 44 Posted 31/01/2017 at 09:15:34 I thought Pennington was injured or on loan or something. Dave Abrahams 45 Posted 31/01/2017 at 09:35:25 Thanks for all the reports on the game, it looks like the more these players play together the more they improve with David Unsworth doing well in this department. Sam Hoare 46 Posted 31/01/2017 at 09:38:24 Expect to see a few more of these lads going out on loan. Unsworth says he was keen to win this match and then maybe give a few more of them opportunities... John G Davies 47 Posted 31/01/2017 at 10:05:17 Exciting times for us Blues. Unsie with Koeman's guidance and scouting system unearthing these young players bodes well for the future.Koeman and Moshiri after assessing the situation are laying the foundations to a successful future. Gary Edwards 48 Posted 31/01/2017 at 12:10:31 Another great result for the ressies.For the guys who were at the match, what formation did we play? Any names in the Man Utd team? James Morgan 49 Posted 31/01/2017 at 12:24:22 This match was only round the bloody corner from me, only realised when it was halfway through otherwise I would've gladly had a gander at what our kids were like and reported back to TW with a review of some sort. D'oh! Sounds like we played well anyway, the lad Donkor seems like a decent prospect too. Ray Robinson 50 Posted 31/01/2017 at 13:06:51 Gary, we seemed to alternate between 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 but we got forward quickly when we broke. The United team included Eric Bailly but apart from the goalie who made a 10 minute cameo against Wigan in the FA Cup, I didn't recognise anyone. The no 3, Mitchell, looked good.1. Joel Pereira2. Matthew Olosunde3. Demetri Mitchell4. Axel Tuanzebe5. Eric Bailly6. Charlie Scott7. Joshua Harrop8. Tosin Kehinde9. Devonte Redmond10. Scott McTominay11. Callum GribbinSubs:Darren McIntosh-BuffongeKieran O'Hara GkSadiq el FitouriTyrell WarrenEthan Hamilton Michael Kenrick 51 Posted 31/01/2017 at 14:19:37 Shane (#44),Pennington was out injured for quite a while and has missed most of the season so far. The young centre half tore his hamstring during pre-season and has been on a long path of recovery, returning to the Under-23s side earlier this month as they beat Sunderland. Shane Corcoran 52 Posted 31/01/2017 at 14:20:33 Thanks Michael. I think I thought he went out on loan following his recovery. Obviously not. 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