Everton Reserves were re-branded last season as Everton Under-21s and entered their second season in the FA Under-21 Premier League (National Group 1)
[History of Everton Reserves]
On 3 August 2012, it was formally announced that the Premier Reserve League would cease to exist, to be replaced by a new Professional Development League 1, to be commonly known as the U21 Premier Reserve League. A similar U18 league was also created, and the system was mapped across the Football League, additionally creating Professional Development Leagues 2 and 3. Teams are ranked according to the categorising of the club academy (a categorisation that will be re-assessed every three years). Everton are a Categroy A team.
A total of 22 teams took part in the Under-21 Premier League: Teams play each other once, either home or away, before the top four teams in the league progress to the Knockout Stage. Those clubs finishing in the top 11 will take part once again in the top tier in 2014-15, while the bottom 11 sides will split into a Division 2 next season.
In the U21 league, three over-age outfield players and one over-age goalkeeper may be used, a stipulation that allows for injured players to make effective returns from a lay-off before first-team action.
Everton's games in the Liverpool Senior Cup and the inanugauarl Under-21 Premier League Cup are covered here also. Some of the Under-21s may play in the FA Youth Cup too.
(F) denotes Friendly fixture (XI) denotes Friendly fixture involving an Everton XI (not necessarily the first team) LSC denotes a tie in the Liverpool Senior Cup
Everton: Taudul; Kenny, Touray, Junior (80' Ledson), Browning; Pennington, Kennedy, Grant; Hope (80' C Duffus), Lundstram, Long. Subs not used: Springthorpe, McLaughlin, Jones. Scorers: Hope (60'), Grant (76')
Everton's second string kicked off the new season in style with a 2-0 victory at Wolves thanks to a goal by Hallam Hope and a superb free kick from Conor Grant. Hope pounced on a loose ball to strike in between two disallowed goals for the hosts.
And Grant hit the crucial second when he executed a well-worked free kick with John Lundstram, perfectly placing the ball past Flatt from 25 yards out. Returning in goal following a long-term injury, Mateusz Taudul had a fine game to preserve the clean sheet.
Everton: Taudul; Kenny, Garbutt, Junior, Browning; Pennington, Hope, Grant; C Duffus (76' Ledson), Lundstram, Long. Subs not used: Springthorpe, Touray, McLaughlin, Jones. Scorers: Garbutt (72').
Everton Under-21s suffered a late 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham United on Monday evening.
Luke Garbutt's fine equaliser had set up a promising end to the game, but an 89th-minute winner from Sebastian Lletget earned the visitors all three points in week two of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.
Everton: Taudul; Kenny, Pennington, Browning, Garbutt; Junior, Lundstram, Gueye (45' Grant); Hope, Long, Vellios (45' C Duffus). Subs not used: Springthorpe, Touray, McLaughlin. Scorers: None.
Everton U21s went down to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City U21s today, with all three goals coming in a decisive 10-minute spell in the first half.
Apostolos Vellios and Magaye Gueye made their first appearances for the Blues' second string this season but Alan Stubbs's side were largely overshadowed as Albert Rusnak and Marcos Lopes (2) had the home side well in control by the 30th minute.
Everton: Taudul; Garbutt, Browning, Duffy, Pennington; McLaughlin (70' Jones), Kenny (76' Ledson), Lundstram; Grant, Hope, Long. Subs not used: Springthorpe, Touray, Green. Scorers: Long (22', 28'), Browning (45').
Everton U21s returned to winning ways on Monday scoring a handsome 3-1 victory over Reading thanks to two goals by Chris Long and one from Ty Browning in a quick-fire first half. Long had the Blues in a commanding 2-0 lead by the midway point in the first half thanks to assists by Browning and John Lundstram. Skipper Browning capitalised on a mistake in the Royals defence to fire past the defender being on the line just before the break to make it 3-0.
The second half was less frenetic but though Mateusz Taudul saved a Reading free-kick the rebound was converted to give the visitors a consolation goal. And Taudul turned a low shot around the post in injury time to preserve the two-goal cushion.
Everton: Taudul; Kenny, Touray, Browning, Pennington (85' Green); Kennedy, Grant, Lundstram; Hope [Y], Long, Ledson (64' Jones). Subs not used: Springthorpe, C Duffus, McLaughlin. Scorers: Hope (70').
Hallam Hope bundled home a second-half equaliser as Everton's U21s grabbed a draw against Newcastle United this evening. Though Hope had the ball in the net as early as the fifth minute, the "goal" was chalked off for a foul and it was Adam Armstrong who scored the first goal to put the home side 1-0 up on the stroke of half time.
The Blues responded after half time, though, and got their reward when Hope converted Chris Long's cut-back with 20 minutes left.
Newcastle, with ex-Everton midfielder Dan Gosling in their ranks, probably should have won it from one of two good opportunities in the closing stages but the Everton goal stood firm and the spoils were shared.
Everton: Springthorpe; Pennington, Touray, Lundstram, Browning; Kenny, Kennedy (91' Green), Grant; Hope, Long (89' Jones), Ledson (67' C Duffus). Subs not used: Griffiths, McLaughlin. Scorers: Hope (52', 66'), Long (83').
Everton Under-21s came back from two down to beat Chelsea 3-2 thanks to a late goal by Chris Long after a brace by Hallam Hope had brought the Blues back level with 23 minutes to go. The visitors had roared into a 2-0 lead with just 15 minutes on the clock when first Loftus-Cheek and then Swift beat Mason Springthorpe.
Everton rallied after half time, though, and Hope scored twice in 15 minutes to make it 2-2. Then in the 83rd minute, Blackman fouled Duffus leading to a penalty for the Blues and though Lundstram's spot kick was saved, Long tucked home the rebound.
Everton: Griffiths; McLaughlin, Touray, Grant, Kenny, Hibbert; Ledson (76' Jones), Lundstram; Hope, Long, Green (61' C Duffus). Subs not used: Hewelt, Williams. Scorers: Grant (57') Touray (90').
Ibou Touray bundled home a last-minute goal for Everton U21s as they beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 this evening. Conor Grant had fired the Blues' second string ahead in the second half after Hallam Hope had seen his penalty saved but Lenigan equalised soon afterwards. Chris Long had a chance to win it for Everton with five minutes left but fired wide, only for Touray to pop up in stoppage time to take the points.
Tony Hibbert played the full 90 minutes as an over-age player, having otherwise been limited to just one Capital One Cup game so far this season. The defensive stalwart admitted the run-out was exactly what he needed and said he was now focused on upping his fitness in order to become an additional first team defensive option for Roberto Martinez.
Everton: Springthorpe; Hibbert, McLaughlin, Browning, Touray; Lundstram, Williams (85' Green); Kennedy, Grant, Long, Hope. Subs not used: Griffiths, C Duffus, T Duffus, Shannon. Scorers: None.
Everton U21s faced a strong Manchester United second-string side at Goodison Park and played out an entertaining goalless draw. Playing in front of 6,000 fans thanks to the club's laudable decision to allow junior fans in for free, the Blues had to soak up a good deal of pressure in the first half but Mason Springthorpe's goal remained intact.
Everton came more into it as an attacking force after half-time, though, and Hallam Hope almost won it late in the second half but Amos clawed his effort onto the post.
Everton: .Springthorpe; McLaughlin (55' C Duffus), Touray, Kenny (78' T Duffus), Pennington, Browning; Kennedy, Ledson, Long, Williams, Jones. Subs not used: Griffiths, Green, Charsley. Scorers: Kenny.
Everton's second string saw potential victory turn to cruel defeat this evening at Motspur Park as Fulham U21s scored a stoppage time winner having equalised four minutes from the end of the regulation 90. Jonjoe Kenny had put Everton U21s ahead earlier in the second half with a powerful header but Grimmer leveled matters after 86 minutes with a strike from close range and Tankovic won it in dramatic fashion deep into injury time.
Everton: Griffiths; McLaughlin, Langton, Kenny, Touray; Williams, Ledson, Green (82' Connolly); Jones (69' Charsley), C Duffus, Dyson (57' Dowell). Subs not used: Hewelt, T Duffus. Scorers: None.
Everton Under-21s lost 1-0 to Aston Villa at Goodison Park this evening. With many of the Blues youngsters out on loan, the side had an average age of just 17 and did well to hold out against a stronger Villa side until the hour mark.
Everton: Springthorpe; McLaughlin, Pennington, Browning, Garbutt; Ledson, Williams, Hope (75' Charsley); Kennedy, Green (58' McAleny), C Duffus (90' Touray). Subs not used: Griffiths, Langton. Scorers: None.
A number of current players out on loan with other clubs, including Tyias Browning, Matthew Pennington, Chris Long and Matthew Kennedy, were recalled for the game that ended goaless.
Everton: Springthorpe; McLaughlin (54' McAleny), Garbutt, Ledson, Langton; Browning, Jones, Williams; Vellios (81' C Duffus), Hope, Charsley (82' T Duffus). Subs not used: Griffiths, Touray. Scorers: Charsley (2).
A brace by Harry Charsley had Everton's U21s on course for victory in Southport this evening but two goals by Adam Mitchell earned Sunderland a 2-2 draw. Alan Stubbs's side seemed to be in control at 2-0 up but the Black Cats' second string pulled one back quickly, equalised just past the hour mark and might have won it late on when Mitchell rattled the woodwork in the dying minutes.
Everton: Springthorpe; McLaughlin (45' Touray), Garbutt, Ledson, Pennington; Browning, Kennedy, Williams; Hope, McAleny (86' Walsh), Donohue (67' Charsley). Subs not used: Griffiths, T Duffus. Scorers: Browning.
Ty Browning had brought the Blues level at 1-1 in the second half to cancel out Murphy's heavily deflected first-half opener. Jamar Loza scored to restore the home side's lead with five minutes left.
Everton: Springthorpe, Touray, Garbutt, Ledson, Pennington, Browning, Kennedy, Williams, Hope, McAleny (90' Jones), C Duffus (78' Charsley). Subs not used: Griffiths, T Duffus, Dyson. Scorers: Garbutt, Kennedy, McAleny.
Everton's rather young Under-21s had quite a game at the Reebock this evening, finally coming out 3-2 winners over Bolton thanks to goals from Luke Garbutt (an early penalty) Matty Kennedy (from close range) and a 25-yard stunner curled into the top corner by Conor McAleny.
Everton had to thank Springthorpe, who brilliantly saved a penalty, and the woodwork as Bolton rattled the bar late on.
Everton: Taudul; Touray, Garbutt, Lundstram, Browning; Pennington, Kennedy, Williams; Vellios (83' Ledson), McAleny, Gueye (62' Hope). Subs not used: Griffiths, McLaughlin, Charsley. Scorers: McAleny 2.
Everton U21s registered a 2-0 home win over Stoke City this evening thanks to two goals by Conor McAleny. The striker slammed home a superb 20-yard strike in the first half and sealed the victory in the second half with his second of the game.
Everton: Taudul; McLaughlin, Touray, Lundstram, Pennington; Graham (58' Langton), Kennedy, Williams; Hope (63' Green), McAleny, Grant (51' Long). Subs not used: Hewelt, Charsley. Scorers: None.
Everton's U21 side were hammered 5-0 by West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns this afternoon. Alan Stubbs's side started well and Conor McAleny went close with a couple of early efforts but once they had conceded against the run of play, they could not prevent the floodgates from opening.
Second-half substitute George Green had a header that hit the bar near the end.
Everton: Taudul; Jones, Garbutt, Davies (68' Dyson), Browning; Langton, Grant, Williams; Gueye (79' C Duffus), Green, Long. Subs not used: Griffiths, Touray, McLaughlin Scorers: Long, Garbutt (2 pens).
Chris Long's equaliser cancelled out Saeger's early goal and goalkeeping heroics from Mateusz Taudul, who saved a first-half penalty, kept the scores level at half time.
Luke Garbutt made no mistake for the Blues when Long was brought down in the box early in the second half, putting the Blues ahead from 12 yards.
And Garbutt was perfect again from the spot a few minutes later when Everton won a second penalty to extend their lead.
Everton: Stanek; Touray, Garbutt, Williams, Langton; Browning, Ledson, Grant, Gueye; McAleny (40' Dyson), Long (84' C Duffus). Subs not used: Taudul, McLaughlin, Walsh. Scorers: Gueye 2.
In what will hopefully be a foreshadowing of the meeting between the two clubs' senior sides on Sunday, Everton U21s beat Arsenal U21s 2-1 at Hague Avenue this evening.
Magaye Gueye put the Blues ahead with a spectacular free kick after just five minutes and the Frenchman doubled the lead early in the second half with an 18-yard effort.
Everton, who lost Conor McAleny to injury late in the first period, had their lead halved in the 67th minute when Maitland-Niles scored but Alan Stubbs's men held out for the win.
Everton: Stanek; Jones, Garbutt, Langton, Browning; Ledson (63' C Duffus), Williams, Grant, Gueye (90' Dyson); Green (75' Kenny), Long. Subs not used: Taudul, Touray. Scorers: Garbutt (pen).
Luke Garbutt put the Blues ahead just past the half-hour mark after Conor Grant was tripped in the area and the left back scored showed more reliability from the spot with the resulting penalty.
Hopper equalised for the hosts 13 minutes into the second half, though, and though Courtney Duffus hit the woodwork and Stanek made a couple of late saves, neither side could grab a winner.
Everton: Taudul; Jones, Touray, Browning; Kenny, Ledson, Grant (79' Dyson), Williams; Gueye, Green (73' Langton), Long (10' C Duffus). Subs not used: Griffiths, Charsley. Scorers: Ledson.
Alan Stubbs's Everton U21s took on Liverpool U21s at Southport this evening, with Magaye Gueye, Ty Browning, George Green and Chris Long in the starting XI. The Blues lost Long to injury after just 10 minutes, though, following an aerial collision with Fulton in the Liverpool goal. Lussey then headed the Reds into the lead with 25 minutes gone.
Everton responded, Green going close with a shot over the bar and Long's replacement, Courtney Duffus, twice firing just wide shortly before the break.
The Blues were running out of time to get back on level terms in the second half when Ryan Ledson turned the ball home in the 85th minute to make it 1-1.
Substitute Calum Dyson came close to winning it at the end but volleyed wide.
Everton: Taudul, Jones, Touray, Ledson, Kenny, Browning, Grant (49' Langton), Williams (65' C Duffus), Gueye, Long, Green (49' Dyson). Subs not used: Griffiths, McLaughlin. Scorers: None.
Everton U21s lost their final game of the season, going down to a narrow 1-0 defeat to MIddlesbrough at the Merseyrail Community Stadium. Scott McCarthy scored the only goal after just nine minutes, holding off Ibou Touray and beating Mateusz Taudul with his strike.
Everton rallied in the second half and striker Chris Long hit the post late on but the Blues' four-match unbeaten run came to an end.
UNDER-21 PREMIER LEAGUE CUP, 2013-14
U21 Premier League Cup — Round of 32 (North) Monday 18 November 20123 Middlesbrough
Everton: Springthorpe; Pennington, Browning, Kenny, Touray; Lundstram, Grant, Williams (73' Ledson); Long, Hope, Kennedy (66' Green). Subs Not Used: Griffiths, McLaughlin. Scorers: Kennedy, Long 2 (1pen) .
Everton Under-21s booked their place in the last 16 of the inaugural Premier League U21 Cup competition with a 3-2 win at Middlesbrough on Monday evening. The young Blues were handed a trip to the Riverside Stadium and looked to make short work of their Teeside opponents by going 2-0 up midway through the first half.
Matthew Kennedy's pinpoint free-kick dispatched into the top corner on 11 minutes was complimented by Chris Long's 27th-minute penalty after Hallam Hope had been fouled. But a second-half rally from the hosts brought need for an Everton third and Long duly delivered when nodding home from close range with four minutes left on the clock.
U21 Premier League Cup — Round of 16 Monday 20 December 2013 Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport
Everton: Springthorpe; Jones, Touray, Kenny, Pennington; Browning, Kennedy (54' Charsley), Ledson; Hope, C Duffus, Long. Subs Not Used: Griffiths, McLaughlin, Dyson, T Duffus. Scorers: Long 2.
Chris Long scored a brace for Everton U21s but Wolves came back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to beat the Blues 3-2 in Southport to advance to the next round of the Under-21 Premier League Cup. Long put Everton ahead with two first-half goals before the Midlanders leveled shortly after half-time and the young striker had a couple of good opportunities to complete his hat-trick but was denied by Platt in the visitors' goal. Kristian Kostrna scored the winner with about 20 minutes left and Alan Stubbs's side couldn't find a way back into the tie.
LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP, 2013-14
Everton: Hewelt: McLaughlin, Thorniley, Graham, Touray; Adelson, Edge, Birch; Shannon, Dyson, Newell. Subs not used: Springthorpe, T Duffus, C Duffus, Langton, Charsley. Scorers: Dyson, Newell.
An young Everton XI booked their place in the Liverpool Senior Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win at Marine AFC on Thursday evening. Calum Dyson's third-minute opener and George Newell's close-range finish gave the Blues a first-half lead the hosts could not surmount.
Everton: Stanek, McLaughlin, Pennington, Langton, Touray, Williams, Lundstram, Grant, Green, Hope, McAleny (Charsley), (Dyson) (C Duffus) Subs not used: ??. Scorers: None.
The young Blues headed to the Delta Taxis Stadium following a quarter-final victory at Marine, but were to miss out on a place in the regional tournament showpiece in the cruellest of fashions. Chances were sparse in the 90 minutes amid blustery conditions and as the game went on, it was little surprise spot-kicks would be the only way to separate the sides.
And with Bootle in clinical form from 12 yards, saves to deny John Lundstram and Calum Dyson would ultimately swing the tie away from the Toffees.
Conor Grant, on his second successive start since returning from injury, went close in the opening 45 minutes when he glanced George Green's left-wing cross narrowly over.
Hallam Hope forced the Bootle goalkeeper into a flying save before the break, while Jindrich Stanek was called into action soon after the restart but neither side could score.
With Bootle netting first in the shootout and Lundstram seeing his effort saved, the momentum was with the home team.
Joe Williams, Harry Charsley and Curtis Langton all replied to successful spot-kicks, before Bootle struck the post with their fifth and Ibou Touray forced sudden death.
Matthew Pennington and Ben McLaughlin both found the back of the net but substitute Dyson was denied to close the shootout at 7-6 to Bootle.
Players from this season who have moved on include:
Everton: Springthorpe; McLaughlin, Touray, Grant, Browning; Pennington, Kennedy, Junior; Hope, McAleny, Green. Subs not used: N/A. Scorers: . None
The likes of Ben McLaughlin, Ibou Touray and George Green were all handed starts in a youthful side but it was the visitors to Forest’s training ground who made the brighter start. Not 10 minutes had elapsed before Hallam Hope and Conor McAleny had fashioned chances, and it set the tone for the first half. The pair would both squander further opportunities, while Green fired wide from distance.
After the break however, Forest grew into the contest, tightening up at the back and testing Mason Springthorpe on a couple of occasions. In the end though, the score remained goalless as the contest fizzled out into a 0-0 stalemate.
Everton: Griffiths; McLaughlin (55' Kenny), Pennington, Browning, Garbutt (75' Touray); Long, Junior (55' Ledson), Lundstram; Grant, Kennedy (80' Jones), Hope. Subs not used: N/A. Scorers: Long.
With all the attention on the senior squad in San Francisco, the Under-21 rump was left to battle it out at Finch Farm in a pre-season friendly against a strong contingent from Blackburn, who ran out winners in the end.
A loss of possession on 10 minutes proved to be costly, as Olsson cut inside from the left to fire past Russell Griffiths and open the scoring. Five minutes later, it would be 2-0. Midfielder John Lundstram found himself unable to avoid fouling 25 yards out and Norway international winger Pedersen stepped up to whip the resulting free-kick into the top corner with precision.
The Blues came into the game midway through the first half, and Hallam Hope almost found the back of the net, instead his side-footed effort from Matthew Kennedy's cross evaded the far post. Chris Long was able to scramble one home on 24 minutes, however. The young forward was well placed in the box to turn in after fine trickery by Hope.
Chances were hard to come by under the conditions, often only occurring through mistakes or misfortune - and that could be said of Blackburn's third. Ten minutes after the interval, Francisco Junior tumbled while on the ball, but the referee signalled play on enabling Nunes to break and finish neatly beyond Griffiths.
Everton: Taudul (65' Griffiths); McLaughlin (65' Kenny), Browning, Pennington, Garbutt (80' Touray); Junior (80' Ledson), Grant, Lundstram; Kennedy (75' Jones), Hope, Long. Subs not used: N/A. Scorers: Hope 2, Kennedy
Everton Under-21s overcame a tough pre-season obstacle with a 3-3 draw against Conference side Southport on Saturday afternoon. An equaliser with the last kick of the game from Hallam Hope sealed a fair result, after the forward and Matthew Kennedy had earlier provided a 2-0 lead. Mateusz Taudul made his first appearance since December following an extensive injury lay-off and the Polish goalkeeper was called into action on 12 minutes. A well-worked Southport attack resulted in a snapshot that the 19-year-old managed to get his body behind to keep the scores level.
Eight minutes later, Everton found a breakthrough. Hope picked up Kennedy's pass, shrugged off his marker and curled an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Chances for John Lundstram, Chris Long and Hallam Hope came before Kennedy himself poked home from close range on 29 minutes. Steven Tames headed the hosts back into the game with seven minutes of the first half remaining, before former Everton midfielder Jamie Milligan levelled the scores after the break.
Ben McLaughlin was harshly judged to have handled inside the area when blocking a cross and the Southport skipper stepped up to net the resulting spot-kick. Courtney Duffus, Russell Griffiths and Jonjoe Kenny entered the fray on 65 minutes — and the former almost made an immediate impact. Leading an Everton counter-attack, young forward Duffus found Hope with a perfect low pass across the home defence, but substitute stopper David Stevenson did enough to parry the shot.
With 17 minutes left on the clock, the hosts turned the game around through Yamen Owase after his run into the box and assured finish gave Southport the lead their first lead of the afternoon.But Hope popped up to equalize with the last kick of the game. An Everton breakaway saw the striker twist his man before wrong-footing Stevenson and dinking the ball beyond his reach moments before the final whistle sounded.
Everton: Taudul; Kenny (85' McLaughlin), Garbutt (69' Touray), Junior, Browning; Pennington, Kennedy (46' Ledson), Grant (46' Duffus); Hope (85' Jones), Lundstram, Long. Subs not used: Griffiths. Scorers: Long.
Chris Long's second-half strike earned Everton Under-21s a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Real Betis B in Jerez, Spain. The young Blues rallied after the interval following Isuardi's opener for the Spaniards on 31 minutes. Long's persistence paid off as he finally netted the goal he merited on 67 minutes after twice coming close in the first half. The England Under-20s international finished a sweeping move with a composed low finish from eight yards out.
In blisteringly hot conditions, Everton adapted well and bossed the game for long periods, with the outstanding John Lundstram at the source of all things positive for the Blues. The midfielder's range of passing and driving force from central areas caused constant problems for the Spanish fourth tier outfit.
Lundstram's assuredness was apparent from the very beginning, typified with an ambitious halfway line effort that flew wide of the mark. He then set up Long for the game's first real chance, playing a perfectly weighted pass in behind the Betis defence that allowed the striker to bring a smart low save out of goalkeeper Raton. Long failed to hit the target with his second attempt and after an enterprising opening from the Blues, Betis began to play themselves into the contest.
Two long-range attempts didn't trouble Mateusz Taudul – but there was little the Blues Polish stopper could do to thwart Isuardi who buried a shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner on the half-hour mark. That clinical finish ensured the Blues went into half-time trailing 1-0 and Alan Stubbs's response to the Spaniards' strong finish to the first 45 minutes was a double substitution at the break.
Ryan Ledson, a tidy ball playing midfielder, and powerful forward Courtney Duffus were introduced for Matthew Kennedy and Conor Grant. The second half started similarly to the first with Everton the team in the ascendency. Lundstram hammered a free-kick into a sizeable Betis wall and Long worked Raton for a second time in the game.
In energy-sapping conditions, Everton could have been forgiven for dropping their tempo but they continued to look the team most likely to net the game's next goal – and they did on 67 minutes with a crisp and clinical passing move. The ball was switched from right to left and when Lundstram fed Long, the Blues frontman made no mistake by slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
As expected, a flurry of substitutions followed as the second half wore on. Ibou Touray, Ben McLaughlin and Gethin Jones all got run-outs for the Blues. When Betis did press forward they encountered a solid Blues defence, marshalled by the impressive centre-back pairing of skipper Tyias Browning and Matthew Pennington.
The Spaniards' best chance to net a second goal came about from a goalmouth scramble but Taudul � playing his first full game since recovering from a long-term knee injury – showed no rustiness by pulling off a fine diving save.
Everton: Springthorpe; Touray, Kenny, Browning, McLaughlin; Lundstram, Williams (65' Ledson), Grant; Kennedy (60' Duffus), Hope, Long (75' Charsley). Subs used: N/A. Scorers: Long, Hope.
Chris Long and Hallam Hope were both on target as Everton Under-21s played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with St Mirren in the first of two freindlies in Scotland. It was a topsy-turvy affair which saw Everton overturn a first-half deficit and then concede a late equaliser just two minutes from the end. John Lundstram struck the post and Long nodded over prior to St Mirren's opening goal on 35 minutes – a header from Adam Brown that looped up and over helpless goalkeeper Mason Springthorpe.
After the break, Hallam Hope saw his goalbound effort blocked, then Chris Long levelled the scores with a scrappy goal 10 minutes following the restart. The England youth international was in the right place to convert from close range, although the home side felt that the goal should have been ruled out for handball. Hope and Lundstram went close from distance, Browning headed wide and Long almost grabbed a second when his shot from just inside the area was charged down.
But the Blues deservedly went ahead in the 80th minute with a well-taken goal from Hope. A cross from the left found its way to the in-form striker, who brought the ball down on his chest and prodded into the bottom corner from eight-yards out. Hope's effort seemed to have secured the win for Everton – but they were stung just two minutes before the final whistle when right-back Ben McLaughlin was adjudged to have tripped Lewis Morgan inside the area. John Seullion stepped up from 12 yards and his low, powerful spot-kick snatched a draw for the home side.
Everton: Griffiths (46' Springthorpe); Charsley (McLaughlin), Touray, Kenny, Browning; Ledson, Lundstram, Grant (Kennedy); Williams, Hope, Long . Subs not used: C Duffus, Pennington. Scorers: Lundstram, Long (pen), Kenny.
Everton's Under-21s finished their second game north of the border with a 3-2 win over Kilmarnock. John Lundstram, Chris Long and Jonjoe Kenny were all on target as the Blues overcame strong resistance from their Scottish opponents. It was the visitors that started the brighter, Hallam Hope sending an early volley straight at the keeper then a second narrowly over the bar in the opening minutes. But Everton fell behind to two quick fire goals from their hosts. Kilmarnock had already netted afrom close range before they added a second. Clearing their lines from a corner, they raced up the other end and made it 2-0 with a neat finish past Russell Griffiths.
Within 60 seconds though, the Blues had hauled themselves back into it. When a corner fell at the feet of Lundstram, he made no mistake from close range, stabbing the ball over the line. Ty Browning then arrowed in a drive from range that drew a fine save from the home keeper before Griffiths followed suit with a sprawling stop to keep Kilmarnock from extending their lead.A flurry of chances saw Hope's shot saved, Browning's header also palmed away and Everton strike a post as the teams went in at 2-1.
After the break, a much improved Everton soon drew level. Hope had already fizzed over from range before he guided a header wide following a fine cross from substitute Matthew Kennedy.Hope was then sent sprawling when he burst into the box and the referee handed the Toffees the chance to level matters, Long firing home from the spot to make it 2-2. Both sides then pushed for a winner and it was the Blues who snatched it. A ball into the box pinballed about before centre back Kenny smashed it past the keeper to seal the victory.
Get rid of these ads and support ToffeeWeb
Bet on Everton and get a deposit bonus with bet365 at TheFreeBetGuide.com
View full table
We use cookies to enhance your experience on ToffeeWeb and to enable certain features. By using the website you are consenting to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.