U21s pegged back by Tottenham

We were exposed down our right flank after the excellent Connolly was replaced by Walsh, moving Tom Davies to struggle against Spur’s left winger and that resulted in their penalty award. McAleny was our best forward and was brilliant in creating our goal.

My first view of Matty Foulds and he had the difficult task of marking Andros Townsend who flew past him 3 or 4 times but he stuck to his task and used his left foot to good effect creating a clear chance for Leandro to head disappointingly high over the bar.

Rodriguez was substituted immediately after so perhaps he’s not up to full speed yet after his injury. He was also felled just outside the box before that which prompted 20 men pushing and shoving as the Everton players, McAleny in particular, wanted to reap some revenge for the alleged assault.

Is Jonjoe Kenny injured I wonder? Calum Connolly at right back is unusual but Unsy probably knew they had a strong left wing. Our boy is playing out of his skin at the moment.

Doesn’t surprise me to hear Hewelt having a good intelligent game in goal. I’ve seen him once or twice on the official site and he struck me as one of those multi-talented kids who could do anything.

Of course, the main interest has to be Leandro Rodriguez who I didn’t expect to feature just yet. Cold weather, drizzle and a slippery surface are not exactly the right conditions for a recently healed hamstring. Nice to hear McAleny and the boys jumping in after he was heavily tackled. Nothing like a good heated group protest for team spirit. The first team should try it now and then, but I guess it requires a leader and they don’t have one.

Anyway, let’s hope Leandro gradually gets up to speed and is able to show people what he can do.

17-year-old Matty Foulds against Andros Townsend is quite a forward leap and I’m not surprised he was skinned a few times. There again, when the Spurs flyer came up against young Galloway for the MK Dons, he didn’t get a kick of the ball, prompting Everton scouts to dive in pronto.

I didn’t see Jonjoe with the Everton party but I was pleased to see Pennington and he seemed to be moving freely so I hope he will be back playing soon; I like his winning attitude and full commitment to every header and tackle he makes.

I can’t see yet what Leandro has to offer the first team but I’m no football scout, Bruv.

I like Pennington and his attitude, plus he has a lot of go in him, he can make others play with his will to win and "never say die" spirit; he will definitely make a good living out of the game.

Those of you who see them – who is your tip to make it into the first team?

I sat next to a man from Manchester whose son is on Everton's books. We talked about Walsh as he sees him all the time; I said to him. "I bet he practices taking corners and free kicks." He said, " All the time, all the time."

He didn’t mention his son that much but raved about Walsh.

Callum Connolly has been in excellent form this season and Unsworth said a week or two ago that he was the first name on the sheet for the U21s.

Wonder what will happen with McAleny? He always does well for the U21s but has never seemed to really bed in on any of his many loan moves. He’s 23 now and I’m guessing his time at the club may be nearly up. I can see him being a Premier League player one day if he finds a club who stick with him.