U23s back in form with Chelsea win

Michael Kenrick Monday, 14 January, 2019 7comments | Jump to most recent

Everton U23s secured an important 2-0 win over Chelsea to retain their narrow lead over Leicester City at the top of Premier League 2.

Fraser Hornby, who was making his first start since 5 October after undergoing ankle surgery, was on target in the first half off a lofted through-ball from Anthony Evans.

This was after Chelsea had been reduced to 10 men early on when their captain was sent off after just 16 minutes. The defender miscontrolled a pass and Sambou was onto it in a flash. The Everton striker was haring in on goal, with just the keeper to beat, before being brought down 20 yards out. The referee had no option, and the Chelsea man saw red.

Harry Charsley was inches away from doubling Everton's lead on 38 minutes. After an excellent passage of play from the young Blues, the midfielder fired a daisy-cutter just wide.

Hornby was fouled in the box during the second half, Bassala Sambou stepping up. Sambou had scored four penalties from four attempts this season and ensured his 100-per-cent record remained intact in typically cool fashion — taking a stuttered run-up, waiting for the keeper to dive, and slotting into the opposite corner.

With Lewis Gibson getting a game and presumably now over his injury problems, a special mention for Alex Denny, returning from a very long layoff; he came on as a sub for Hornby.

Everton U23s: Virginia, Astley, Feeney, Ouzounidis, Evans, Gibson, Charsley (84' Bowler), Adeniran, Sambou, Hornby (76' Denny), Broadhead (61' Markelo).
Subs not Used: Hewelt, Gordon.

Next Game: Doncaster Rovers (A) @ 7 pm on Monday 21 January 2019

Reader Comments (7)

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Kase Chow
1 Posted 15/01/2019 at 20:35:22

Well done, boys.

Anyone see the game?

How far off is Fraser Hornby from the 1st team? Anyone know?

What about Sambou?

Goodness we could use a home grown striker that's good

We had a decent production line once: Rooney, Cadamateri, Vaughan, Anichebe, Jeffers...

Dave Abrahams
2 Posted 15/01/2019 at 21:17:29

Kase (1),

Fraser Hornby has got good potential but is nowhere near ready for the first team.

The good news is Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in the first team squad and getting better all the time... he just needs some fans to get behind him and cheer him on.

Sam Hoare
3 Posted 15/01/2019 at 21:31:03

Agreed Dave, not sure many of these lads are close to the first team yet. Feeney perhaps as a replacement for Jagielka next season.

Not many players will go straight from U23s to first team. Most will need to prove themselves on loan first before they get a run.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]
4 Posted 15/01/2019 at 22:03:33

Short highlights for anyone interested.

Link

Funny approach by Sambou on the penalty. It looks a cross between a marching soldier and Python's Ministry of Silly Walks.

Kase Chow
5 Posted 16/01/2019 at 00:02:56

Thanks, Dave, #2.

Fingers crossed on Hornby then.

You've probably seen on other threads... I'm not super convinced by Calvert-Lewin yet but happy to be wrong.

Good goal on the weekend hopefully the start of more.

Liam Reilly
6 Posted 16/01/2019 at 08:16:21

Hornby should hopefully be loaned to a good footballing Championship side next season as there's a player in him.

Shame his injury came when it did, but good to see he's already hitting the net again so soon after recovery.

Phill Thompson
7 Posted 16/01/2019 at 14:52:19

I didn't see the game but part-read a commentary blog feed. We started with a 3-4-3 formation, Astley, Ouzounidis, Feeney at the back.

Chelsea had a man red carded early on and dominated the start of the 2nd half until we scored. It's nice to see Denny, Hornby, Gibson all back after injuries.

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