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Blues U21s end first stage with a win

Bolton Wanderers U21s 1 - 3 Everton U21s

An Everton Under-21 side including Duffy, Barkley, Vellios, Gueye defeated Bolton Wanderers on Thursday night to round out the first half of the new season. The goals came from Vellios, Kennedy and Barkley in an impressive 3 - 1 win. Everton finish 4th and will now play the second half of the season in the 'Elite' Group.

Everton began the match brightly and their attacking approach paid dividends when they took the lead after 11 minutes. A long ball played from the left flank by Ibou Touray was expertly controlled under pressure by Vellios before the striker swiftly slotted a low strike from eight yards out.

The Blues continued to show attacking intent and nearly doubled their lead before Bolton even had the chance to recover from the opener. A low cross drilled in from the right wing by Tyias Browning found John Lundstram who didn't hesitate to fire in a vicious strike that was saved.

With the half nearing an end, Everton nearly found a second goal in stunning circumstances courtesy of Lundstram. Kennedy's curling cross found the midfielder on the edge of the area, instead of controlling the ball Lundstram hit a fierce volley destined for the bottom corner was saved.

Against the run of play, the home side managed to level the scoring through a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Bolton striker Sanmi Odelusi broke in behind the Everton backline before going down under what appeared to be minimal contact in the area from Shane Duffy to be awarded a dubious spot-kick that Bolton converted.

After the restart, Everton fought to re-assert themselves and were rewarded when they regained the lead in the 56th minute. Vellios curled the ball through the Bolton defence and Kennedy prodded home to hand Everton a deserved second.

The Blues were unfortunate not to extend their lead further from a Magaye Gueye free-kick, whipped in a cross that was met by Duffy but the defender could only direct his effort straight at the keeper. Moments later, quick reflexes from Mucha prevented Bolton from leveling the score again. Duffy rose to head Gueye's corner at goal but was unlucky to see his attempt fly straight at the keeper yet again.

In the dying moments of the game, Everton's pressure paid off as they got the third goal to guarantee the victory. A cross from the energetic Gueye ricocheted around the area and into the path of Barkley who fired an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner to seal all three points.

Everton: Mucha; Browning, Touray, Lundstram, Duffy; Hammar, Kennedy, Barkley; Vellios, Gueye, Hope (Unused subs: Taudul, Forrester, Green, Jones, Long)

Quotes or other material sourced from EvertonFC.com

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