Blues lose in U21s Premier League Cup

For our 1st goal, Leandro received the ball off Mattioni before racing forward to set up Byrne. He was subbed 8 minutes after the break and I hope his hamstring hasn't gone again.

Looking forward to the John Dean TW report.

Everton played a 4-2-4 formation with Pennington and Connolly at the centre of defence, Mattioni and Foulds at fullback, Davies and Williams in midfield and McDowell leftwing, Byrne rightwing and Rodriguez and Dyson in the centre. The playing surface was very heavy, sanded in parts, didn't take a stud and it was difficult to weight a pass – a real test.

The blues held the advantage on possession and chances in the first half, taking the lead when a Brighton attack was stopped and the ball was fed to Leandro who carried it forward before finding Sam Byrne on the left of the penalty box who then ran along the edge of the box before hooking a shot into the bottom corner.

The second-half continued in the same vein with Everton doing all the pressing and using the long-ball a bit more than usual, perhaps to catch the Brighton defence turning on a slippery pitch and to overcome our numbers deficit in midfield. From corners, Calum Connolly headed just wide and Pennington powered a header to the bottom corner which the keeper did exceptionally well to turn round the post. Harry Charsley replaced Byrne and supplied a string of good crosses into the box but we couldn't take advantage. Then, game seemingly won, Pennington's tackle was deemed illegal and the subsequent beautifully-flighted cross was headed home.

That gave Brighton a boost and they charged into extra-time, taking the lead when Louis Gray tried to pass the ball rather than hoof a back-pass clear of the danger area. His pass was well-controlled by a Brighton player who went forward before hitting a powerful shot which Gray's hand was unable to turn round the post. Everton were soon on level terms when a penalty was awarded for pushing in the box and Joe Williams hit it hard and low into the corner of the net. Again, Everton had the best of the remaining action but there were no more goals and Brighton hit all of their penalties well but Williams and Connolly's efforts were well saved.

Shortly into the second-half, Leandro was brought down from behind in full flight and was substituted almost immediately so his worries continue. A pity as he was shaping well - he showed his speed off the mark to burst into the box and pull the ball back but Byrne's shot was blocked.

Its the first time I have seen Mattioni. He was very good on the ball and was prominent in attack. He has a disconcertingly slow trot back to his defensive position, even when the play is way beyond him. You could frequently hear Matt Pennington and Joe Williams telling Felippe to adopt a better position at corners, etc but he seemed a bit lost and I wonder if he thinks that's the lesser side of his job. But he lasted the full game and a half despite him just recovering from injury.

Matty Foulds had an excellent game. He has lovely ball control, sound defence and showed well and effectively going forward.

Shame about the result. Oviedo tweeted them "Good Luck" before kickoff and Unsy told them they need to win things if they had any hope of getting into the first team.

A £200mil club using a seaside mud patch as their U21s home ground is a disgrace. I'll bet Brighton loved it.

The lads couldn't be faulted for effort. I thought they'd moved on from the last few seasons when they haven't looked like a side with strikers who can score but perhaps we weren't as sharp as we should have been in front of goal last night. And if I was a Brighton fan, I'd doubtless be lauding their defensive display.

But mostly I blame the pitch. The u18's must be glad they play at Finch Farm or Goodison.

When the yanks finally join the war, late as usual, I'm sure a new Little League ground will be high on their shopping agenda just after the hamburger concession is sorted, the ticket prices go up and we start playing real soccer.

The best team lost. Hopefully they can pick themselves up for the next two home games as they all played together well, Pennington showing his maturity.

Get ready for the Lancashire Senior Cup, which could be Man Utd or Blackpool, fingers crooked for that. Also, as I like to collect their photos and autographs, these lads, especially Matty Pennington oblige without complaint and will chat about the match even in the cold.

They are great guys and I wish them well for the future, be it at EFC or wherever their talents take them

I think the team might be missing the likes of Ledson, Kenny Grant and Walsh, but I think these lads will be learning and improving on loan.

I don't understand David Unsworth telling the lads they have to be winning trophies if they want to get in the first team, you can be a great player and win nothing, or you can win cups and be a less than average player, all they have to do is improve season by season.

Who would have thought it a Kirkdale lad doing very well at Oxford, haven't we got a lad at Cambridge as well!!!