Everton are the Champions of the newly named Premier League 2 where the age limit has been raised this season from 21 to 23.
[History of Everton Reserves]
Everton's Under-23s largely represent the end product of the renowned Everton Academy at Finch Farm which this season has produced Tom Davies, with a number of players also on the threshold of breaking into the Blues' first team. Formerly known as the Under-21s and before that, simply Everton Reserves, since 2016 they play in the FA Premier League 2 and finish the season as the best of 12 teams in Division 1,
Everton were also one of the Premier League clubs entering teams into the EFL Trophy (formerly the Johnstone Paints Trophy) alongside senior sides from Football League One and League Two.
Everton Under-23s played the majority of their matches at the Merseyrail Community Stadium in Southport while at least three Premier League 2 matches had to be played at Goodison Park, along with EFL Trophy and some other cup games. A new mini-stadium at the club's Halewood training complex is intended to host all U23 and U18 home fixtures starting next season.
New Bucks Head
Carrow Road
Portsmouth
(F) denotes Friendly fixture (TF) denotes Friendly tournament fixture (XI) denotes Friendly fixture involving an Everton XI (not necessarily the first team)SCNI denotes SuperCupNI (formerly, the Milk Cup) LSC denotes a tie in the Liverpool Senior CupLaSC denotes a tie in the Lancashire Senior Cup
Starting in 2016-17, the U21 Premier League (which itself replaced the old Reserves league that stretched back to an age that pre-dated the formation of the Football League in 1888) was renamed Premier League 2 and operates on a two-division format of 12 teams each but the age limit has been raised to 23.
Each team can field a goalkeeper over the age limit and up to three �over-age� outfield players in every match.
Clubs play each other once at home and once away, with the top team in Division 1 named as Champions. The bottom two teams in Division 1 get relegated to Division 2.
In Division 2, the league winners get automatic promotion to Division 1; teams ranked 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th go into a promotion play-off. There is no relegation from Division 2.
2014-15 saw the introduction of The Premier League International Cup � with invited European sides competing in a four-group tournament. In 2016-17, Everton will be entering an U23 side into the Premier League International Cup, in a tournament alongside Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, Wolfsburg and Benfica that was won last season by Villarreal, who will be looking to retain their trophy in the forthcoming competition. This season, the number of teams participating in the International Cup has been increased from 16 to 24. The format of the International Cup, which will take place solely in England, will see 24 clubs - 12 from England and the other half from the continent - competing in six groups of four teams with each side playing each other once. There will be two representatives from Europe and two from England in every group, with the top club in each plus the two best placed runners-up advancing to the knockout stages of the competition. The Premier League International Cup permits three over-aged players in addition to an over-aged goalkeeper and the fixtures will be released at a later date. Clubs entering this season�s Premier League International Cup:
Premier League 2 clubs: Aston Villa, Chelsea, Derby County, Everton, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Reading, Sunderland, Swansea City.
Invited international clubs: Athletic Club, Benfica, Celtic, Dinamo Zagreb, Feyenoord, Hertha Berlin, Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Sparta Prague, Valencia, Villarreal, Wolfsburg.
In a bid to give a higher profile to the competition, officials announced in June 2016 that 16 so-called 'Category One' Academy outfits had been invited to take part. The new tournament will see 64 teams divided into 16 groups of four, on a north/south regional basis, each group containing one 'invited' Academy or Development club. The top two from each group would go forward to a regional knockout round of 32, with the last 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals all open draws ahead of a final at Wembley on April 2, 2017.
The Premier League's biggest clubs, notably Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur were missing when the draw for the tournament was made. But Everton, along with Premier League Champions Leicester City agreed that their academy sides would take part, with Chelsea also set to have young players compete in a tournament amid suggestions that Trophy matches would cause fixture clashes for top-flight academy teams, who already had sufficient matches in a season.
Everton's games in the 2016-17 Liverpool Senior Cup are also expected to be covered here. Some of the Under-23s may play in the FA Youth Cup too.
The section below contains team details, scorers, and brief match reports for Everton Under-23 matches during the 2016-17 Season.
Premier League 2; Game #1 Monday 15 August 2016 Lamex Stadium, Stevenage
Everton Under-23s kicked off their Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Stevenage's Broadhall Way.
David Unsworth named Brendan Galloway and Tom Davies in a strong starting line-up, but it was Ryan Ledson who very nearly opened the scoring. The midfielder's header looked like it was flying over the line but Joe Pritchard's timely intervention denied the Blues a goal.
Spurs then took control of the half and only Mateusz Hewelt's heroics stopped Shayon Harrison opening the scoring. First the Everton 'keeper made himself big to block the Tottenham striker's shot after he was played in by Marcus Edwards, but his next stop was even better: Morgan Feeney tripped Anton Walkes but Hewelt dived low to palm Harrison's spot-kick aside.
After the break, however, Everton stepped up a gear. Feeney saw a powerful effort saved by Tom Glover but on 79 minutes, the Blues took the lead. David Henen intercepted a crossfield pass, raced clear of Luke Amos and fired past Glover. The points were secured minutes later as Matthew Foulds swept home after Courtney Duffus saw an effort saved.
Everton U23s: Hewelt; Jones, Robinson, Walsh, Feeney; Galloway, Henen, Davies, Evans (60' C Duffus); Ledson (62' Charsley), Dowell (80' Foulds). Subs not used: Gray, Dyson.
Premier League 2; Game #2 Monday 22 August 2016 Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport
Everton's Under-23s maintained their 100% start to the new season with a 2-0 victory over Derby County in Premier League 2.
Tom Davies and Kieran Dowell, two players who might have featured for the first team against Yeovil tomorrow, both played the full 90 minutes and Dowell was the provider for both goals before he saw a shot cleared off the line late on.
The Blues' second string got off to a great start at the Merseyrail Community Stadium, with Dowell laying on an assist to Harry Charsley to fire home in only the second minute.
And Charsley doubled the lead after half an hour, finishing off another nice Blues move that ended with Dowell setting his team-mate up to score.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Robinson, Connolly, Kenny, Jones, Walsh (71' Baningime), Davies, Dowell, Charsley, Henen (58' Evans), C Duffus (58' Dyson). Subs not Used: Gray, Foulds
Premier League 2; Game #3 Monday 22 August 2016 Belvoir Drive
Harry Charsley got the Blues' second string off to a great start, firing home his third goal in two games with 16 minutes gone.
The winger then turned provider twice in the second half, first when he collected the ball from Gethin Jones and centred for Courtney Duffus to head home.
Charsley then teed up Antony Evans to head in Everton's third before Calum Dyson banged in a fourth late on which capped off a third successive Premier League 2 victory for David Unsworth's side.
Leicester scored a consolation in stoppage time to make it 4-1 at the whistle.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Jones {c}, Kenny, Connolly, Robinson, Baningime, Davies (60' Walsh), Charsley (81' Henen), Dowell, Dyson, C Duffus (75' Evans). Subs not used: Renshaw, Foulds.
Premier League 2; Game #4 Monday 10 September 2016 Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport
Joel Robles saw his first action of the season after being selected in goal, while Tom Davies, a second-half substitute for the senior side against the Black Cats last night, was also in the side along with Mason Holgate and new signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
George Brady's second-half goal for the visitors proved to be the difference, however.
Everton U23: Joel, Kenny (c), Robinson, Davies, Connolly, Holgate, Charsley (68' Henen), Walsh (83' Jones), Dyson (77' Sambou), Calvert-Lewin. Dowell. Subs not Used: Hewelt, Evans
Premier League 2; Game #5 Monday 19 September 2016 Boreham Wood
The Senegalese striker was named in a three-man attack alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and David Henen for a match that the Blues started in brilliant fashion.
Kieran Dowell opened the scoring for Everton in only the fourth minute, firing home from just inside the box.
Jonjoe Kenny and Niasse both had chances to extend the lead before the break but Liam Walsh did double the Blues' advantage just two minutes into the second half with an excellent free kick.
Niasse then made it 3-0 before substitute Calum Dyson weighed in with a brace to compete the rout.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Jones, Robinson, Walsh (68' Dyson), Connolly, Kenny (c), Dowell, Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse (75' C Duffus), Henen (58' Charsley). Subs not used: Renshaw, Sambou.
Premier League 2; Game #6 Monday 26 September 2016 Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport
Niasse, who scored on his first outing for the second string against Arsenal last week in a 5-0 win, netted the second goal in Southport this evening as David Unsworth's side moved into first place in the Premier League 2 table.
Calvert-Lewin, making his third appearance since arriving on deadline day from Sheffield United, had opened the scoring in the first half.
The game was also notable for the return as a substitute of midfielder Joe Williams after a long lay-off with a serious knee injury.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Jones, Connolly, Kenny, Holgate, Davies, Walsh, Dowell, Niasse (60' J Williams), Calvert-Lewin (74' C Duffus), Dyson (60' Charsley) Subs: Gray, Henen.
Premier League 2; Game #7 Monday 17 October 2016 Adams P{ark, High Wycombe
Oumar Niasse scored a first-half hat-trick for Everton U-23s as they beat Reading 6-3 at Adams Park, the home of Wycombe Wanderers tonight.
The home side had an early two-goal lead after 15 minutes, but then the Blues started scoring, with Niasse notching three by half-time.
More goals in the second half from Dowell, Calvert-Lewin and Walsh with a brilliant 20-yard strike rounded out another fine win for David Unsworth's table-topping team.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Holgate, Connolly, Jones, Walsh, Davies, Dowell (66' C Duffus), Niasse (56' Robinson), Charsley, Calvert-Lewin (66'Dyson).Subs not Used: Gray, Yarney.
Premier League 2; Game #8 Sunday 23 October 2016 Prenton Park, Birkenhead
Everton Under-23s – playing without their prolific goal hound Oumar Niasse – fell to defeat after two second-half goals from Liverpool in the mini-derby at Prenton Park this afternoon.
Everton played well but were denied on a number of occasions by the Liverpool keeper. Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw a back-post header flash wide of the target, while Harry Charsley was inches away from opening the scoring with a fizzing drive from inside the box.
Liverpool broke the deadlock just minutes into the second period, and shortly after, doubled their advantage before another excellent save denied Calvert-Lewin again. As the young Blues looked for a way back, it could have been 3-0 late on as Liverpool rattled the crossbar.
Everton U23: Hewelt, Holgate, Robinson (61' Dyson), Kenny, Connolly, Charsley (72' C Duffus), Jones, Walsh [Y], Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Dowell.Subs not Used: Rensaw, Yarney, Sambou.
Premier League 2; Game #9 Sunday 31 October 2016 Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport
Mateusz Hewelt and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who were both on the bench at Goodison Park for the visit of West Ham United yesterday, featured among David Unsworth's charges looking to bounce back after losing to local rivals Liverpool last time.
They went behind inside the first 5 minutes but Harry Charsley's first-half strike, scored on 41 minutes, earned a point for the Young Blues.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Robinson, Connolly, Feeney, Walsh (59' Foulds), Davies, Dowell [Y] (70' C Duffus), Calvert-Lewin (76' Dyson), Charsley, Henen. Subs not Used: Gray, Yarney.
Premier League 2; Game #10 Sunday 20 November 2016 Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport
Everton Under-23s usurped Manchester City at the top of the Premier League 2 table thanks to a 1-0 win in Southport.
Kieran Dowell's cross could only be cleared to the edge of the penalty area and Dominic Calvert-Lewin hammered a crisp volley low into the bottom corner of the net to claim the points.
Tom Davies was the standout performer for David Unsworth's side and he almost claimed an early assists when he played Calvert-Lewin in but the goalkeeper foiled the England U20 striker striker.
The visitors, meanwhile, hit the woodwork but couldn't find an equaliser.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Connolly, Kenny, Holgate, Browning, Walsh, Dowell (75' Jones), Davies, Charsley, Grant (90+2' Baningime), Calvert-Lewin (84' Dyson). Subs not Used: Renshaw, Feeney.
Premier League 2; Game #11 Sunday 20 November 2016 Staplewood Training Ground, Southampton
Premier League 2; Game #12 Monday 12 December 2016 Finch Farm
Oumar Niasse was on the scoresheet again as David Unsworth's side reclaimed top spot in Premier League 2.
The Senegalese striker restored the Under-23s' lead after Callum Connolly had headed in his first goal of the season and Geoffrey Schlupp had levelled midway through the first period.
Niasse notched an assist as well for Harry Charsley six minutes into the second half and Courtney Duffus put the icing on the cake a minute from time to make it 4-1.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Jones, Browning, Connolly, Davies, Grant (80' Robinson), Dowell, Charsley, Niasse (82' C Duffus), Dyson (85' Henen) Subs not used: Renshaw, Evans.
Premier League 2; Game #13 Sunday 8 January 2017 Eppleton Colliery
Premier League 2; Game #14 Monday 16 January 2017 Goodison Park
Everton U23s extended their lead at the top of the Premier League 2 table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Reading at Goodison Park on Monday night.
Nathan Broadhead gave Everton a 10th minute lead when he nodded home Jonjoe Kenny's excellent cross to the back post but David Unsworth's side had to wait until the second-half to double their lead as Reading proved stubborn after going behind.
Seven minutes after the re-start, Kieran Dowell added another goal to his growing highlight reel as he ran 40 yards, starting in his own half, before firing low past the Reading goalkeeper from the edge of the area.
Three minutes later and the excellent Harry Charsley made it 3-0, following up on his blocked shot to stab the ball home from deep inside the Reading area.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Robinson, Baningime (75' C Duffus), Browning, Pennington (64' Walsh), Jones, Charsley, Dyson, Dowell, Broadhead (75' Sambou).Subs not Used: Griffiths, Feeney.
Premier League 2; Game #15 Monday 30 January 2017 Leigh Sports Village
New signing Anton Donkor had a lively debut as Everton Under-23s beat the Red Devils 3-1 at Leigh Sports Ground this evening.
Donkor was into the action quickly, winning a first-half penalty for Liam Walsh to despatch but the midfielder's spot-kick was saved. Donkor then missed a great chance at the back post and the Blues hit the woodwork as they continued to boss the game.
Walsh went close later in the half with an effort that was cleared off the line by United but Everton's pressure told when Courtney Duffus finished off a lovely move to put them ahead. Kieran Dowell found Walsh whose first-time knock was curled into the corner by Duffus as Everton took a 1-0 lead into the break.
United had the chance to level the game almost immediately after half-time, however, when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Matthew Pennington. But they spurned the chance when Harrop blasted over from 12 yards. However, when the hosts were given another penalty a few minutes later, Mitchell stepped up and converted to level the match at 1-1, a reflection of the fact that they had taken control of the contest.
Everton hit back though and restored their lead with a terrific finish by substitute Bassala Sambou from Donkor's pass and the striker doubled the advantage soon afterwards when the visitors were awarded the fourth penalty of the night from another Donkor through-ball.
Sambou, one of two changes made by John Ebbrell � Unsworth was not in attendance, sparking speculation he was off concluding another transfer deal � after United's goal, stutter-stepped to send the 'keeper the wrong way and tucked the ball into the opposite corner to make it 3-1.
Harrop cracked a dipping shot off the bar as the home side tried to find a way back into the game in the closing stages but the Blues held on to another fine result.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Foulds, Walsh (67', Kiersey), Feeney, Pennington, Dowell, Charsley, C Duffus (62' Sambou), Dyson (62' Broadhead), Donkor. Subs not Used: Hunt, Yates.
Premier League 2; Game #16 Monday 6 February 2017 Finch Farm
Everton Under-23s regained their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League 2 table with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, it looked as though the young Blues would be forced to settle for a point when, on a weathered pitch, Courtney Duffus fired a shot over the bar midway through the second half.
But David Unsworth's determined side continued to push forward and eventually got their reward four minutes from the end when Nathan Broadhead latched on to Kieran Dowell's slide-rule pass, danced past his marker and fired into the bottom corner.
Sam Byrne, who has been out with a broken leg since last March, came on as a second-half sub to announce his return from that horrific injury. The victory stretches the Under-23s' unbeaten run in the league to eight games and keeps the Toffees in pole position for the title with six games left to play.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Foulds, Pennington, Feeney, Kenny, Walsh, Charsley, Donkor (60' Broadhead), Dowell, Sambou (46' Baningime), C Duffus (74' Byrne). Subs: Hunt, Henen.
Premier League 2; Game #17 Monday 20 February 2017 Goodison Park
Goals from Liam Walsh and a cracker from Kieran Dowell handed the U23s a 2-0 win that restores their six-point lead at the top of Premier League 2.
David Unsworth's men got off to a great start when Liam Walsh slotted home on a neatly worked move with Kieran Dowell playing him in and the young midfielder making no mistake after just three minutes. Everton continued to play some very attractive football and created a number of chances but the second goal just would not come.
Substitutions on the hour mark included Bassala Sambou for Courtney Duffus, with David Henen replacing Joe Williams. Everton continued to dominate proceedings, playing a really attractive passing game and putting together some great moves into The Saints area but were still unable to add to the scoreline.
Kieran Dowell finally secured the win inside the last 10 minutes with a lovely strike that puts Everton U23s 6 points clear at the top of Premier League 2.
The match at Goodison Park was watched by a bumper crowd of 5,500 fans, including first-team manager Ronald Koeman and his assistant Erwin, and was notable also for the return to action of Williams after a four-month injury lay-off.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny (c), Robinson, Feeney, Pennington, Baningime, Walsh, Dowell, Williams (61' Henen), Charsley. C Duffus (61' Sambou). Subs not Used: Hunt, Foulds, Broadhead.
Premier League 2; Game #18 Friday 3 March 2017 Academy Stadium
After a flat and uneventful first half, a lacklustre and uninspired Everton side gave up three goals in the second half to suffer a defeat against their closest rivals, who narrowed the gap at the top of Premier League 2 to just three points.
Premier League 2; Game #19 Monday 13 March 2017 Pride Park
David Unsworth's charges, including Mason Holgate, took the lead through Bassala Sambou but conceded two quick goals just before half time to go into the break in arrears.
Liam Walsh restored parity from the penalty spot, though, and after Kieran Dowell had rattled the woodwork with a free kick, David Henen stepped off the bench to score what could prove to be a priceless winner.
With Man City held 3-3 at Arsenal, Everton's U23s now head the Premier League 2 table by five points.
Premier League 2; Game #20 Monday 10 April 2017 Goodison Park
Everton's Under-23s took another step towards the Premier League 2 title when they saw off Tottenham by what was eventually an emphatic margin at Goodison Park.
David Unsworth's side had not played for almost a month but led Manchester City by two points coming into this evening's game but had the advantage of a game in hand.
Unsworth was able to name a strong-looking side that included Ademola Lookman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Joe Williams, the recalled Brendan Galloway, and Mo Besic, returning from yet another long-term injury.
They struggled initially, perhaps through unfamiliarity in a difficult first half played mostly in the Everton half of the pitch. But the best chance came from a brilliant cross by Lookman that Calvert-Lewin powered the wrong side of the post.
Harry Charsley replaced Mo Besic for the second half, the Bosnian midfielder still working his way back to fitness after a long lay-off, although he didn't seem to have lost much of the aggression in his game.
It took until the hour mark before the Blues' class finally told, with Galloway going on a very fine run and crossing brilliantly to the far post were the ball hit Ademola Lookman and went in.
Bassala Sambou came on and delivered an absolute pearler, curling in a great shot off his left foot into the top corner, before Spurs pulled one back through Kazaiah Sterling.
Dowell restored the two-goal cushion when he added a third and Calvert-Lewin rounded off the scoring with the fourth.
Everton U23s: Hewelt; Kenny, Feeney, Galloway, Robinson; Besic (46' Charsley), Walsh, Williams; Lookman (65' Sambou), Dowell (84' Henen), Calvert-Lewin.Subs not used: Gray, Foulds.
Premier League 2; Game #21 Friday 21 April 2017 Pride Park
Despite numerous chances in the first half, it was Chelsea who took the lead through Ugbo. But Bassala Sambou was on hand to get Everton back in it before the break.
Liam Walsh scored an excellent goal a few minutes after the break to give Everton the lead off a brilliant low cross from Kenny. But that man Ugbo broke through again at the other end and it was even-steven going into the final 20 mins.
A fantastic move saw Jonjoe Kenny again centre brilliantly, and Sambou tried to get his header down to beat the keeper but it was just too close, allowing him to pull off a crucial save.
Another brilliant save by the Chelsea keeper, Mitchell Beeney, off a brilliant Kenny close-range header in added time denied Everton the winner but Liverpool did them a massive favour beating Man City 3-2 to confirm the Premier League 2 title for Everton U23s.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Robinson, Feeny, Williams (78' Henen) Besic, Kenny, Baningime [Y'], Walsh, Dowell, Sambou, Charsley (89' C Duffus). Subs not used: Gray, Foulds, Broadhead.
Premier League 2; Game #22 Monday 8 May 2017 Goodison Park
The ball would not run for David Unsworth's Under-23s tonight as they took on Liverpool before being crowned Champions of Premier League 2.
It promised to be a great celebration of the fantastic achievement by these young and superbly talented youngsters that have been assembled at Everton's USM Finch Farm, all the sweeter for the Guard of Honour their local rivals provided at the start, and award of the Premier League 2 trophy after the game.
Jonjoe Kenny, hot from his impressive 15-minute season debut for the first team against Swansea, captained the side, as he has done all season. Gethin Jones returnsed from a half-season loan spell at Barnsley to partner him in the backline. Mo Besic and Joe Williams featured in midfield, with in-form Bassala Sambou and Harry Charsley as the strikers.
On the bench, Calum Dyson also returned from a half-season loan, with Grimsby Town, where he was voted their Young Player of the Year. Anthony Evans has also been out on loan, with Morecambe.
The Reds took the lead after an error by Pennington, with just 6 minutes gone.
Dowell had a free-kick near the corner flag and looked to catch out the goalkeeper with a cheeky attempt. The Blues continued to press well but were not quite getting the run of the ball.
Bassala Smabou tried a spectacular overhead kick then Joe Williams fired goalward, forcing the save. Mo Besic did well to steal the ball and carry it forward, winning a dangerous free-kick that Kieran Dowell curled inches wide with the keeper scrambling.
Sambou works himself a yard on the edge of the area before letting fly and Liverpool goalkeeper reacted well to tip the ball around the post. But Besic went off replaced by David Henen, the Reds broke and drilled in a second goal far too easily.
There were big shouts for a penalty as Kenny went down in the corner of the penalty area under a challenge from Gomez but the referee waved play on, much to the frustration of the Blues skipper. David Unsworth then makes his second change of the evening with Dyson replacing Charsley.
On 75 minutes, any celebration was spoiled by a crazy pitch invasion, with 20 or 30 scallies running from the Gwladys Street end. That was followed by a terrible challenge by Williams on Baningime, leading to some serious handbags but of course only a yellow card for it.
A bit of a scrambled goal but it finally came after another great run and cross from Kenny, Calum Dyson bundling it over the line off a miskick or deflection.
David Henen seemed to be in with a chance before the end but tried to head it rather than let it fall and lost his footing: no penalty. Keeny trapped a great crossfield ball and then picked out Dyson at the far post but he headed just over.
Into added time and from a bounce-ball, Keiran Dowell lashed a fine shot that was finger-tipped around the post.
The final whistle went and the scallies returned for their little pitch invasion, much to the annoyance of the Goodison Park stewards and authorities, before the pitch was eventually cleared to allow the presentation of the Premier League 2 trophy.
Everton: Hewelt; Kenny, Jones, Baningame, Feeney, Pennington, Dowell, Besic (57' Henen), Sambou, J Williams [Y:78'] (87' Evans), Charsley (63' Dyson) .Subs: Gray, Foulds.
Premier League International Cup: Group 1, Game #1 Wednesday 18 August 2016 Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport
Everton U23s won their first group match in this season's Premier League International Cup as they beat Reading 2-1 with goals from Calum Dyson and Antony Evans in Southport.
The visitors started well and hit the post early on but the Blues took the lead soon afterwards through Dyson when he collected an under-hit back-pass fired into the corner.
Five minutes after that, the home side doubled their lead. Dyson capitalised on more hesitation in the Reading defence and fed it to Evans who converted from close range.
Evans almost grabbed a second shortly before the break but he shot wide of goal.
Everton U23s: Hewelt; Jones, Robinson, Foulds, Feeney; Yarney (Henen 46'), Ledson, Baningime (Walsh 53'); Dyson, Evans (C Duffus 46') Charsley. Subs not Used: Gray, Bainbridge, Holland, Broadhead.
Premier League International Cup: Group 1, Game #2 Wednesday 23 November 2016 Goodison Park
David Unsworth's men fell three goals behind before the half time interval and only managed to claw back what proved to be a consolation goal in the second half through Gethin Jones.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Jones, Foulds, Yarney, Feeney, Baningime, Broadhead, Henen (46' Kiersey), Evans (46' C Duffus), Holland (46' Bainbridge), Dyson. Subs not used: Renshaw, Donohue, Brewster, Bramall.
Premier League International Cup: Group 1, Game #3 Wednesday 21 December 2016 Goodison Park
David Unsworth's men sat third in the group coming into the evening and had to take all three points to stand a chance of progressing to the last eight.
They made the perfect start, going ahead in the ninth minute through Callum Connolly's strike but spurned an opportunity to make it 2-0 when Harry Charsley was fouled in the box.
Jonjoe Kenny's penalty was saved to keep the score at 1-0 and the visitors capitalised, levelling the scores shortly before the break through Inigo Cordoba.
Everton pushed for a winner in the second half but saw their chances of progressing ended when Bilbao took the lead inside the last ten minutes, Unai Nunez converting to make it 2-1.
Everton U23: Renshaw, Kenny, Jones, Browning, Connolly, Davies, Grant (82' Evans), Dyson (60' Henen), Dowell, Charsley, Niasse (60' C Duffus). Subs not Used: Hunt, Feeney, Baningime, Robinson.
Premier League Cup: Group D, Game #1 Saturday 2 October 2016 Goodison Park
Jonjoe Kenny's stoppage-time penalty gave Everton Under-23s a late victory in their Premier League Cup opener against Wolves, with Oumar Niasse missing an open goal.
David Henen had the first chance, but his effort flew over before the Belgian turned creator and Oumar Niasse tapped home for the third U23 game in succession. However, the linesman's flag was raised for offside.
The best chance of the game fell to Oumar Niasse in the second half but he could only strike the crossbar with an effort from close range.
Unsworth pushed for the win with a trio of substitutions midway through the second half - and one nearly paid dividends when Courtney Duffus was picked out in the box, but the forward could not dig the ball out from under his feet.
Still 0-0 late into stoppage time, a handball in the Wolves area saw captain Jonjoe Kenny fire home a very late penalty to give the Blues first blood in Group D, with their future opponents Norwich and Portsmouth drawing 0-0.
Everton U23s: Hewelt; Kenny, Jones, Walsh, Feeney, Connolly, Dowell, J Williams (Charsley), Niasse (C Duffus), Calvert-Lewin, Henen (Robinson).Subs not Used: Gray, Dyson.
Premier League Cup: Group D, Game #2 Friday 4 November 2016 Goodison Park
Darron Gibson made a rare appearance as he struggles to regain full fitness for this season's Premier League campaign. It also marked a welcome return for Tyias Browning after almost a year sidelined with injury.
After hitting the post, the visitors took the lead through Louis McIntosh.
Gibson and Browning were replaced after the break by Courtney Duffus and Gethin Jones but, in a dreadful second half for the Blues, they fell behind to two more goals before David Henen was ejected from the field for a second yellow-card offence.
Callum Dyson pulled one back for the Blues with a cool finish 4 minutes from the end but they conceded another goal to complete the rout.
Everton U23s: Gray, Kenny (c), Robinson, Gibson (46' Jones), Browning (46' C Duffus), Feeney, Dowell, Foulds (64' Dyson), Calvert-Lewin, Charsley, Henen [YY-R].Subs not Used: Renshaw, Yarney.
Premier League Cup: Group D, Game #3 Monday 5 December 2016 Goodison Park
David Unsworth's Premier League 2 leaders got off to a good start in the first half when Calvert-Lewin rounded the goalkeeper to slot home with a quarter of an hour gone.
Everton had their own Tom Davies patrolling midfield to good effect but it was his namesake on the other side who inadvertently doubled the home side's lead when he diverted the ball into his own net in the second half.
Dyson made it 3-0 with a header off Harry Charsley's cross before Harvey Bradbury plundered some reward for Portsmouth's late rally with what proved to be a consolation goal.
Everton U23s: Hewelt; Kenny, Jones (45' Feeney), Browning, Connolly; Davies, Walsh (32' Broadhead (85' Sambou)); Charsley, Dyson, Dowell; Calvert-Lewin. Subs not Used: Renshaw, Evans.
Premier League Cup: Group D, Game #4 Monday 23 January 2017 New Bucks Park
The Blues were trailing 1-0 to Will Randall's first- half goal heading into the closing stages when Courtney Duffus was fouled by Randall in the Wolves box.
Walsh stepped up to convert from 12 yards and preserve the U23s' lead at the top of the group with two matches remaining in this stage of the competition.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Foulds, Walsh, Browning, Pennington, Broadhead (66' Sambou), Charsley, Dyson (75' Kiersey), Dowell, McAleny (54' C Duffus).Subs not Used: Griffiths, Feeney.
Premier League Cup: Group D, Game #5 Wednesday 15 February 2017 Carrow Road
David Unsworth's side are going great guns in Premier League 2 but their chequered cup for this season continued as Kieran Dowell missed spurned an early opportunity and substitute David Henen, on for the injured Anton Donkor, saw a left-foot shot saved well by Paul Jones.
Harry Charsley and Liam Walsh had chances in the second half but Ebou Adams scored the decisive goal, capitalising on an error by Conor Hunt. The result means that the Blues' U23s must beat group leaders Portsmouth away Monday 27th February in order to top the group.
Everton U23s: Hunt, Charsley, Feeney, Foulds, Robinson, Dowell, Walsh, Baningime (67' J Williams), Donkor (11' Henen), Broadhead (58' Sambou), C Duffus. Subs not Used: Hilton, Kiersey.
Premier League Cup: Group D, Game #6 Monday 27 February 2017 Havant
Everton U23s took on Portsmouth in a key game that would decide Group D of the Premier League Cup, but lost 2-1 after taking the lead on the half-hour with a smart lob over the keeper from Bassala Sambou after a great through-ball from the impressive Jamie Yates.
But the home side came back into it in the second half with two goals to turn the game around and deny the Everton side any further interest in the competition.
EFL Trophy, Northern Section: Group A, Game #1 Monday 30 August 2016 Macron Stadium
Everton Under-23s' first involvement in the Checkatrade Trophy was at Bolton's Macron Stadium this evening where David Unsworth's young side won 2-0.
After a bright opening, Everton took the lead through Calum Dyson who fired home from long ranger in the 23rd minute.
Then, in the second half, substitute Conor McAleny doubled the lead with a header 12 minutes from time.
It's the first time the club's second string have played in the revamped EFL Trophy, formerly the Johnstone Paint Trophy, but international commitments forced the Blues to field a younger side than was planned after they failed in their attempts to have the match rescheduled.
�We've got 10 of the lads away on international duty and six others looking as though they'll miss out through injury,� Unsworth explained ahead of the match.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Foulds, Yates (83' Brewster), Yarney, Bainbridge, Baningime, Walsh, Robinson, Henen (62' McAleny), Dyson, Sambou (62' Broadhead) Sub not used: Gray.
EFL Trophy, Northern Section: Group A, Game #2 Tuesday 4 October 2016 Whaddon Road Stadium
Everton's Under-23s lost 2-1 at Whaddon Road as two goals in the last 10 minutes turned the match on its head.
They got off a to a great start at Cheltenham's LCI Rail Stadium when David Henen fired in off the goalkeeper with just 5 minutes on the clock.
The home side would recover, however, and Mateusz Hewelt had to make a fine save just before half-time to preserve the lead after Oumar Niasse had seen his attempt to make it 2-0 cleared off the line with half-an-hour gone.
Antonee Robinson went close for the Blues in the second half but, with chances at a premium, Cheltenham suddenly struck through a Billy Waters header that levelled the game in the 82nd minute.
Three minutes later, Bassala Sambou executed a well-timed tackle inside the box to sweep the ball away from danger but was inexplicably adjudged to have pulled Dayton down in the box by referee Lee Probert and Danny Wright scored from the spot to make it 2-1.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Bainbridge, Yarney, Foulds, Robinson, J Williams {c} (85' Brewster), Baningime, Walsh, Henen (76' Sambou), Dyson, Niasse (57' McAleny). Subs not Used: Renshaw, Rodrigeuz, Holland, Donohue.
EFL Trophy, Northern Section, Group A, Game #3 Tuesday 8 November 2016 Goodison Park
Everton's second string went out of the EFL Checkatrade Trophy after they lost to Blackpool in a penalty shootout at Goodison Park.
The latest game in the revamped competition provided both Tyias Browning and Darron Gibson with more game time as they recover from their respective injuries, the latter taking the captain's armband for the evening as the most senior player in the Blues' ranks.
An Everton win would have consolidated their position at the top of Group A and book the club's progress to the knockout phase but they fell behind in the second half to Armand Gnanduillet's spectacular overhead kick.
Harry Charsley equalised with 11 minutes to go but the young Blues couldn't find an equaliser, sending the match to spot kicks.
Both sides converted their penalties, including an audacious Panenka effort from David Henen, until Josef Yarney missed for Everton and Gnanduillet converted the fifth kick for the visitors to win it.
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Foulds (59' Evans), Browning (46' Bainbridge), Yarney, Jones, Gibson {c}, Robinson, Baningime, Charsley, Henen, Dyson (59' C Duffus). Subs not used: Renshaw, Kiersey, Brewster, Holland.
Liverpool Senior Cup Semi-Final 28 July 2016Skelmersdale
Everton U23s had no difficulty in progressing to the Liverpool Senior Cup Final after defeating Skelmersdale United in a game carried over from last season.
The Blues took a while to exert control over the game but that came in the space of a few minutes before half-time, when goals were scored by Luke Garbutt and Antony Evans.
It had been a game of half-chances for ... before Garbutt latched on to Charsley's through-ball and watched as his cross was turned in for an own goal on 41 mins.
Just 3 minutes later the Blues went further ahead with a brilliant goal from Antony Evans, who picked up the ball on halfway, raced past his marker and slotted home in style.
For the second half David Henen and Bassala Sambou replaced Calum Dyson and Harry Charsley. And it was Sambou who scored the third with 20 minutes left, some minutes after Courtney Duffus replaced Conor McAleny,
Russell Griffiths in the Everton goal did well to keep out a powerful header from a corner before the end.
And a few minutes later, Luke Garbutt's 20-yard free-kick deflected off the wall and crept into the corner of the net to make it a resounding 4-0 win for the Blues, and a place in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final.
Everton U23s: Griffiths, Jones (c), Garbutt, Baningime, Feeney, Foulds, Charsley (46' Sambou), Ledson, Dyson (46'Henen), Evans, McAleny (64' C Duffus). Subs not used: Gray, Robinson.
Liverpool Senior Cup Final 4 August 2016Volair Park, Prescot
Everton's Under-23 side won their second trophy of the summer thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over Prescot Cables in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final.
The Blues were in the final having beaten Widnes and Skelmersdale United in the two previous rounds which gave them a shot at adding to the SuperCupNI which they won last month.
Ryan Ledson scored from the spot to give David Unsworth's side an early lead before. Courtney Duffus netted later in the first half to make it 2-0.
Leandro Rodriguez rounded off the scoring with chipped effort in the second half.
Everton U23s: Hewelt; Jones, Yarney, Foulds, Robinson; Baningime, Ledson, Rodriguez (61' Broadhead); Charsley, Dowell (68' Walsh), C Duffus (52' Evans). Subs not Used: Gray, Feeney.
Lancashire Senior Cup Final 10 August 2016Leyland
David Unsworth's Under-23s finally beat Oldham Athletic in the Lancashire Senior Cup Final, but they needed 5 perfect penalties to do it. Despite an early penalty scored by Ryan Ledson, they fell behind for much of the game with Davies diverting Garbutt's low shot, forcing a late equalizer to set up the penalty shoot-out where the young Blues fired in all five spot-kicks in faultless fashion to win their third trophy in 10 days!
The last match of David Unsworth's pre-season programme for the second string was a carry-over from the earlier rounds of the competition that were completed last season.
Everton started with the bulk of their U23 team on the quest of this rather impressive trophy treble, having already won the Liverpool Senior Cup and SuperCupNI this pre-season.
Tom Davies, Gethin Jones, Luke Garbutt, and Kieran Dowell have featured in some first-team games this season but appear unlikely to be named in Ronald Koeman's senior squad for the first game of the Premier League season, which is rapidly approaching.
The boys in Blue got off to a bright start, Ryan Ledson converting from the penalty spot after Courtney Duffus was felled in the area after 11 mins.
But the scores were leveled when Luke Garbutt's header ended up in his own goal after a dangerous in-swinging free-kick from Oldham.
The pressure on the Blues increased, with a great reaction save by Hewelt on the half-hour, who got down low to his left to keep out Oldham's Cassidy from close range.
But the Oldham pressure was not to be denied as Cassidy stole possession on the byline before beating his marker and firing past Hewelt to give Oldham the lead a few minutes before half-time.
Liam Walsh replaced Leandro Rodriguez after the break and Dowell set up Duffus who almost scored soon after, but his effort was cleared off the line. Unsworth eventually switched out most of his attacking players in an effort to get an equalizer but the scoreline remained the same with 20 minutes to go.
There was a great chance for Tom Davies, who beat two defenders but then missed the target from the edge of the penalty area. But Everton finally leveled the game with just 7 mins left when Davies diverted Garbutt's low shot into the bottom corer of the Oldham goal.
End-to-end excitement as both sides try to win it in the closing stages. First. a big chance for Oldham as substitute Brendan Glackin goes clean through, rounds goalkeeper Hewelt but shoots over.
Then, in the 90th minute, Liam Walsh's volley strikes the inside of the post and is cleared! The final whistle blows and it's straight to penalties to decide who takes home the magnificent old trophy.
Ledson, Jones and Walsh convert their penalties, with Edmundson missing Oldham's second. Henen then scores a lovely Panenka to make it 4-2, so down to the final one for Everton to clich it....
That honour fell to Luke Garbutt who fired home to give Everton the victory and secure a magnificent third trophy win during the course of pre-season games for the Under-23s, following their successes in the SuperCup NI and the Liverpool Senior Cup.
Everton U23s: Hewelt; Garbutt, Foulds, Feeney, Jones; Davies, Ledson; Dowell (68' Charsley), Rodriguez (46' Walsh), McAleny (62' Henen), C Duffus. Subs not Used: Gray, Robinson.
SuperCupNI Semi-Final Thursday 21 July 2016 Coleraine Showgrounds
Everton's U21s beat Espanyol at the SuperCupNI (formerly the Milk Cup) at Coleraine Showgrounds thanks to Harry Charsley's goal early in the second half.
David Unsworth's men held on to secure the win despite Liam Walsh being shown a red card not long afterwards.
Everton U21s: Gray, Jones (70' Broadhead), Feeney, Foulds, Robinson, Walsh [R], Baningime, Charsley, Evans (46' Holland (77' C Duffus), Henen (60' Yarney), Dyson (60' Kiersey) Subs not used: Griffiths, Sambou.
SuperCupNI Final Saturday 23 July 2016 Ballymena Showgrounds
Everton Under-21s took on Celtic at Ballymema Showgrounds this evening in the final of the U21 bracket of the SuperCupNI.
David Unsworth's men earned the right to play the Scots after beating Espanyol in the semi-final. Celtic beat Real Betis in the other game to set up a clash with the Blues' second string.
Harry Charsley, scorer of the winner in the first game, put Everton ahead after 36 minutes with a curling effort and that's the way it stayed to the final whistle. Captain Liam Walsh was suspended for this one after his red card in the first game.
Everton U21s: Hewelt; Jones, Robinson, Beningamie, Feeny; Foulds, Charsley, Evans (67' Kiersey); Henen (88' Holland), Sambou (70' C Duffus), Dyson. Subs not Used: Gray, Broadhead, Yarney.
U23 Pre-season FriendlySunday 31 July 2016 West Lancs College Stadium
Everton's U23s men suffered their first pre-season friendly defeat when they went down 3-1 to Southport this afternoon. David Unsworth's side held a lead thanks to Nathan Holland's 13th minute strike but goals by Josh Thompson and Neil Ashton put the hosts 2-1 up going into the break.
Unsworth made a number of second-half changes to give minutes to all his subs, which included the likes of Luke Garbutt, Harry Charsley and Conor McAleny, while James Gray added a third for Southport to round out the scoring.
Everton U23s: Gray (46' Griffiths), Jones {c}, Robinson (46' Garbutt), Walsh, Feeney (46' Yarney), Foulds, Holland (46' Donohue), Ledson (46' Broadhead), C Duffus (46' Dyson), Evans (46' McAleny), Henen (46' Charsley).
U23 Pre-season Friendly Monday 8 August 2016
After some early attacks by Dundalk were fended off, Antony Evans came close to scoring with a good effort that hit the side netting. On 15 minutes, Callum Dyson coolly slotted the ball beneath the keeper to give Everton the lead.
Dundalk continued to attack undaunted and it was only some fine saves by Louis Gray in the Everton goal that kept them out. But he was finally beaten on 22 mins when Ciaran O'Connor equalized.
Things rapidly went south for the Blues after the break, with Dundalk scoring goals through Carlton Ubaezuono and O'Connor getting his second. But Everton pulled one back before the hour mark through Nathan Broadhead.
There were more chances for both sides but the scoreline remained unchanged.
Everton U23s: Gray; Charlsey, Feeney, Yarney, (46' Foulds), Yates; Broadhead, Holland, Walsh (45' Ledson); Henen, Dyson, Evans. Subs not Used: Hunt.
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.