Season › 2016-17 › News U23s beaten by title rivals City Lyndon Lloyd Friday, 3 March, 2017 75comments | Jump to most recent Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Everton's Under-23s lost their top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City this evening at Academy Stadium. David Unsworth's men could have gone nine points clear of their hosts in the table and taken a huge step towards securing the Premier League 2 title with just four games left to play had they won. Unfortunately, second-half goals from Ambrose, Diaz and Sancho earned what ended up being a comfortable win for second-placed City. Had Everton managed a win, it would have represented a significant triumph for the Blues over a City development setup that has vastly superior resources and funding. “Everyone is looking forward to the game,” Unsworth's assistant John Ebbrell told evertonfc.com before-hand. “Obviously, they are second and we are top so we want to put on a positive performance, win the game and that will put Monday's loss to Portsmouth behind us then. “Our last performance in the league [a 2-0 home win over Southampton] was excellent. It was a very good team performance - good passing, good movement and we worked for each other. It was a joy to watch. “We want to go to Manchester City now and do something similar, make that statement that we can play well against the best teams in the league and, ultimately, win the game. “It's another test for us. Regardless of what situation or scenario you are in, the key thing is to maximise what you have and perform at your best. Friday will be no different, apart from there being a bit more of an edge to the game because of the importance of it.” Article continues below video content Reader Comments (75) 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 Craig Fletcher 1 Posted 03/03/2017 at 06:30:38 Very best of luck to Unsy and the young lads. Regardless of the result, looking at the table the lowest we can realistically fall to is second, so it's been a fantastic season. Liam Reilly 2 Posted 03/03/2017 at 07:45:53 It will be interesting to see how Rhino and the lads get on tonight under pressure, where a draw would be a good result.Needs some of the stars back into the team that started in the Cup. Kevin Elliott 3 Posted 03/03/2017 at 07:52:00 Forget about 2nd and forget about a draw. Let's go out and beat them. Terry Murray 4 Posted 03/03/2017 at 08:06:01 Is there any TV coverage of this game? Will Mabon 5 Posted 03/03/2017 at 08:17:46 Been a great season so far. The victory tonight will be a massive result. Bob Hannigan 6 Posted 03/03/2017 at 08:49:47 Any information on the lineups? Dave Abrahams 7 Posted 03/03/2017 at 09:05:27 Could be to their advantage the game is being played at City's Acamedy and not the main ground.They have the ability and belief in themselves to go for the win. Good luck lads. David Hallwood 8 Posted 03/03/2017 at 09:38:10 C'mon Unsie, c'mon Unsie. I'd love to go to cheer on the lads, 'cept 'er indoors would take a very dim view of it given we've got people round. A very exciting time for the Blues, and let's hope we can bring 6-7 of them through. I was at the last game and they played some great football, the one that stood out for me was the left back (Antonee Robinson) I know it's a step from this level to Premier League, but he looks like the real deal. 3 points tonight and we're within touching distance. COYB David Chait 9 Posted 03/03/2017 at 10:41:41 Winning this and it's done!! Hope we put out a killer team! Come on lads!!! Stephen Maclean 10 Posted 03/03/2017 at 11:08:06 COYB!!Terry I've just read on the official EFC website that they have a blog on there during the match with a free link to watch the match also at the same time. Stephen Maclean 11 Posted 03/03/2017 at 11:10:28 Here it is, taken from the EFC website.."Follow the action from tonight's game via our blog on Evertonfc.com, which will also include a link to watch the game live for free."Starts at 7pm as stated above by TW. Colin Malone 13 Posted 03/03/2017 at 12:40:09 I wonder where Unsy would be without big Joe? Kevin Gillen 14 Posted 03/03/2017 at 13:40:48 I'm really excited about this group of players and wish them the best for tonight. A lot of our lads are from the local area and will know what it means to win a North West derby, I think that will give them a big advantage. Kim Vivian 15 Posted 03/03/2017 at 14:08:17 Personally, I wish Niasse was with the lads to be a part of any success.C'mon you Blues – a message of intent for the future. Brian Furey 16 Posted 03/03/2017 at 15:03:43 I really don't get all this love for Niasse that so many fans seem to have. The purchase of him was obviously a big mistake and an embarrassment for the club so why do some people keep mentioning him and wishing him well?Can we not just focus on our excellent U23 side who like someone has said contains a lot of local lads. It will be a great boost to the club if we can win this title as it will show other young players that Everton is a great place to come to develop and make it into the first team. Charlie Lloyd 17 Posted 03/03/2017 at 16:23:32 Well said Brian @ 16. Let's not forget that the team will be short of Davies, Holgate, Browning, Jones, Connolly, Calvert-Lewin, Dyson, Grant, and Evans (possibly more). All either involved with the first team or on loan. Good luck to the lads and Unsy for tonight's game. Paul Thompson 18 Posted 03/03/2017 at 18:33:24 Calvert-Lewin is apparently fit and may make the bench.Man City, with their money and sweetheart deal with a leading private school, are hoovering up talent in the North-West. We'll do well to win. COYB. Brent Stephens 19 Posted 03/03/2017 at 18:40:24 Brian (#16) "I really don't get all this love for Niasse that so many fans seem to have. The purchase of him was obviously a big mistake and an embarrassment for the club so why do some people keep mentioning him and wishing him well?"Maybe because he signed in good faith, on the back of the (now-realised) mistake of other people in signing him and putting his career on hold? Michael Kenrick 20 Posted 03/03/2017 at 18:43:09 Everton U23s vs Man City: Hewelt, Kenny, Robinson, Pennington, Feeney, Baningime, Walsh, Dowell, Williams, Charsley, C Duffus. Subs: Hunt, Foulds, Broadhead, Henen, Sambou. Patrick Murphy 21 Posted 03/03/2017 at 18:53:28 There's supposed to be a live stream on the link below: livehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo2K2dzW40Q Brian Cleveland 22 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:01:32 Match has started but the live link isn't giving anything yet... anyone else got it going? Brent Stephens 23 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:02:08 Not me! Charlie Lloyd 24 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:04:49 I've got the game on the Facebook link. Working perfectly. Brian Cleveland 25 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:06:15 Working on Facebook but very jerky, probably my shitty internet link and soggy Atlantic piece of string. Frank Wade 26 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:19:15 I have it on this link via Facebook LinkWorking perfectly. Michael Kenrick 27 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:21:29 What's with all that garbage floating across the screen on Fartbook? Mindless Idiocy!!! Dave Abrahams 28 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:23:10 Patrick (#21) not working on that link... Thanks anyway.Can anybody watching give the score as it is happening? Thanks in advance. Lev Vellene 29 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:28:14 Every link I tried said it's starting at 20:00 GMT, and that's half-an-hour from now...Too bad I don't have Facebook anymore. :P Martin Nicholls 30 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:29:25 David (#8) – I think you're the only person other than me who thought Antonee Robinson was the standout performer in the Southampton game. Great minds!? Joe Hurst 31 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:30:29 I've seen that everywhee too, and I won't sign up to Farsebook just for this. I'm very proud of being FB-phobic. Brent Stephens 32 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:31:15 Dave, try this: Link Lev Vellene 33 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:31:20 Martin (#30), You are both daft! I thought Robinson did great, so that proves it! :D Dermot Byrne 34 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:34:00 Agree with Michael. All the thumbs up symbols going across screen on Facebook. Can it be stopped? Lev Vellene 35 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:34:10 Brent # 32 Thanks, that worked! Just answer 'not now' and you can still watch the live feed! Dermot Byrne 36 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:40:26 Michael, just found out if you swipe from left across comments they go. Luddite me! Joe Hurst 37 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:46:26 Well it'll work on the lappie, which the West Indies - England ODI will have to finish to free it up on.The match won't work on my iPad because FB are that outdated in their tech (the dumb gits), their stream depends on Flash.Any excuse to ridicule Zuckerbergs tawdry site though.. :) Dermot Byrne 38 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:47:24 We defend well! Brent Stephens 39 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:48:02 Painfully slow half – well, it was on my feed! Frank Wade 40 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:53:48 Lev, I don't use Facebook and I was able to watch first half. I don't get any roving symbols either, in fullscreen mode.Antonee Robinson our star man in first half for me. Lev Vellene 41 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:57:15 Frank (#40), I deleted my FB account years ago, so was surprised when they let me watch the game just by fending them off by doing a 'later'... :)And yes, Robinson did good so far! Jay Harris 42 Posted 03/03/2017 at 19:58:52 Agree with you Frank, Robinson has had a very good game so far.Bit disappointed in Liam Walsh tonight, he can't seem to get into the game. Brian Cleveland 43 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:04:21 2nd half underway yet? No feed at the moment... Dave Abrahams 44 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:09:02 Brent (#32) tried that but not coming through, is it still 0-0?Give us the score when / if it happens. Geoff Trenner 45 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:09:11 Any score? Link not working for me. Frank Wade 46 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:09:49 Yes, Brian, still 0-0... 51 mins. Lev Vellene 47 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:10:21 Following the original link, I just needed to politely say 'no' once again, so now I have the usual half-time announcements... :) Brent Stephens 48 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:13:33 My feed seems to have stopped at half-time. Dermot Byrne 49 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:14:42 Me too Brent. Anyone got a working link? Brent Stephens 50 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:15:06 Link Lev Vellene 51 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:15:17 They just had an announcement saying 10 mins until the start, so not the usual 15 mins? Julian Wait 52 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:16:30 I am watching on Facebook. Frank Wade 53 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:17:21 If you get stuck, refresh the Everton facebook page and scroll down through the items to see the link to the match. Still 0-0 on 59 mins. Lev Vellene 54 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:18:01 Thanks again to Brent for the new link! Frank Wade 55 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:19:52 Yellow card for Beni Baningime. Jon Withey 56 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:22:36 Giving the ball away a lot. Lev Vellene 57 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:22:56 By what I've seen, I won't be either happy or unhappy about a draw. Yet I still feel we really can win this one! Geoff Trenner 58 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:23:53 I really don't want to join Facetwat. Any other options. Geoff Lambert 59 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:24:33 1-0 to Man City. Frank Wade 60 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:24:36 Goal for City by sub Ambrose. Brent Stephens 61 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:24:44 City 1 up Dave Abrahams 62 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:26:56 Thanks (?) Brent, do we look like getting anything out of this game? Brent Stephens 63 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:29:26 No real chances being created. Mainly all in midfield, Frank Wade 64 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:29:57 Another City goal by Diaz 2-0, another scrappy one with ball hopping around the area... Dermot Byrne 65 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:30:37 Unsworth Out! Brent Stephens 66 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:31:22 2 down. Chance from nothing. Patrick Murphy 67 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:31:59 Very disappointing from what little I've seen of the game; looks like the occasion has got to the youngsters. City look well in control even prior to them scoring. Young Toffees will have to regroup and go again in the next game. Frank Wade 68 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:32:49 Sambou subbed in for Joe Williams. Will Mabon 69 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:34:53 Three - all over... Frank Wade 70 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:35:21 A 3rd by Sancho 3-0 Brent Stephens 71 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:41:27 Off for a pint. Jon Withey 72 Posted 03/03/2017 at 20:54:15 City outplayed us for much of the second half – some resistance later on. Couldn't keep the ball or find a pass. Not a great performance. Paul Birmingham 73 Posted 03/03/2017 at 21:04:24 Gutted but all in all, I think tonight the belief went some how, they lost the game plan, and seemed to be missing composure that in similar situations they have managed well in other games, I've seen this season. Late rally too late, and in some ways we got picked off and punished for losing concentration and tempo. No team is perfect and I really hope despite the set back tonight, EFC U23s, can still win this league, as they have worked like Trojans, and provided a great release in terms of hope and optimism for the future of our club, this season.Step up next week, and win, and now for Spurs. Tony Hill 74 Posted 03/03/2017 at 21:59:41 No matter, no panic. We need to focus ourselves again and ought to win the title.I don't want to hear, though, from David Unsworth about making fully formed human beings as well as footballers. I want to see fully formed footballers, thank you.The biggest step that Everton as a club, through all levels, must take is to learn how to nail down victories, to instil and sustain that most difficult of habits: repeated victory, especially when it matters. We've failed at it for far too long.We do too much talking about ourselves and what we're going to do, too much about the RS, too much about restoring former glories. Instead, we must deliver – again and again and again. We should shut up and act. Paul Ellam 75 Posted 04/03/2017 at 09:38:31 Still in pole position.Keep the faith! Tony Draper 76 Posted 05/03/2017 at 09:33:39 I love Rhino.I just do.Always have, always will. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads