Bowler strike seals Premier League 2 title

Tuesday, 16 April, 2019 92comments  |  Jump to most recent
Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Everton's Under-23s are Premier League 2 Champions once more after Josh Bowler's solitary strike clinched a decisive 1-0 win over Brighton at Goodison Park.

The Blues needed a victory over the second-place Seagulls in a top-of-the-table showdown to secure their second title in three seasons under the stewardship of David Unsworth and Bowler delivered it in the 22nd minute.

The winger drove towards the box and held off a challenge before drilling the ball past the goalkeeper from around 20 yards out.

Fraser Hornby had to clear off his own line at one end to preserve the Blues' lead and he raked a shot of his own into the side-netting at the other but after Nathan Broadhead had passed up a gilt-edged chance to put the game to bed, Brighton won a penalty in the closing stages.

Lewis Gibson was the man penalised but Viktor Gyokeres slipped as he went to convert the spot kick and sent his shot over the bar allowing Everton to see out the victory.

“I'm very proud and it's a great night for the Club,” Unsworth told evertonfc.com. “We should have been out of sight and scored maybe three, four or five goals. But we won the game and that was the main thing.

“I'm so proud of this group of players and my staff as well, because they have worked so hard.

“It was a great performance tonight. At 1-0, it's always a little bit nervy and then they get the opportunity with the penalty.

“Fortune favoured us a little bit, but I think we deserved that tonight, because we've been fantastic all season."

Everton U23s: Virgínia, Astley, Galloway, Markelo, Feeney, Gibson, Bowler (90+2' Gordon), Adeniran (88' Denny), Hornby (72' Foulds), Sambou, Broadheads.
Subs not used: Hewelt, Mampala

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Reader Comments (92)

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Mark Andersson
1 Posted 15/04/2019 at 00:53:52
At least the young blues can make us feel proud...
Kase Chow
2 Posted 15/04/2019 at 13:56:42
Good luck boys

So this is what it feels like to fight for a league title

Dave Abrahams
3 Posted 15/04/2019 at 14:26:38
Come on lads clinch this league,I’ll be with you in spirit but drinking in Ned Kelly’s, hope this is the only title coming to Merseyside this season.
Derek Knox
4 Posted 15/04/2019 at 16:57:20
Hoping the youngsters can show again what the first team should be doing in terms of battling and winning.

Does anyone know if it's on Everton TV? I have looked and can't see anything, I think for a Club of our stature the Media side of things wants revamping. Every time in the summer pre-season they show the pre-season games, but you can almost always guarantee there will be some cock up 'due to technical difficulties' whereas other clubs seem to be way ahead of our Cave TV Set-Up!

Even Clubs in Scotland Dundee, Hibs, etc, all have better TV facilities than we do.

Justin Doone
5 Posted 15/04/2019 at 17:46:54
Other than us fans everything else connected to Everton can often seem second rate.

Our commercial, both in branding and in communicating is possibly 5th rate.

So I doubt very much there will be any coverage of the youngsters which is really poor from our own official website. When they do the service / streaming is so poor it just leaves you frustrated.

If they win some honours they may get a couple of paragraphs but otherwise the only news you ever hear is when someone signs a professional contract.

It would be interesting to hear who Unsy thinks is worth a shot in the first team.

That winning feeling at any level can help bread confidence. Good luck to the lads!

Steve Carse
6 Posted 15/04/2019 at 17:58:47
It IS on the website.
Don Wright
7 Posted 15/04/2019 at 17:59:44
Derek 4
its on the Everton official youtube site mate.
Brent Stephens
8 Posted 15/04/2019 at 18:03:33
Brent Stephens
9 Posted 15/04/2019 at 18:04:38
Will become live nearer KO.
Derek Knox
10 Posted 15/04/2019 at 18:22:10
Thanks Don and Brent, they don't make it very clear at all, it's as if they don't want you to know about it, some sort of Inner Circle secret!
Srdjan Sekulic
11 Posted 15/04/2019 at 18:59:47
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkLO8R-x3fs
Lev Vellene
12 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:03:40
OK, the undamaged generation is on! Fingers crossed!
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:04:45
Thanks, Srdjan. My link provided in the EFC email didnt bloody work!
Lev Vellene
14 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:25:20
Yay, Josh Bowler!
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

15 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:25:57
Cracking opening goal by Josh Bowler.

I like what I see from him every time he plays.

Brent Stephens
16 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:26:02
Cracking goal.
John McFarlane Snr
17 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:33:22
Hi Derek [10] I had to make a couple of alterations to the seating arrangements. but I can guarantee that each of the 'Blues' who attend will be able to talk to the remaining fifteen, for an hour, spread over four hour sessions [4-5,] [5-6] [6-7], and [7-8]

I've planned for a 4 o'clock start and an 8 o'clock finish, but if we are a few minutes late getting underway, it will still finish at a reasonable time allowing for further discussion, and of course an extra tipple for those who require it.

A copy of the plan is on its way to you, feel free to ring me to discuss it. Best wishes John,

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

18 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:51:07
Not at Goodison tonight, Brent?
Brent Stephens
19 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:52:16
Hi Jay. I was away at the Fulham game so thought my wife deserved me at home tonight. Not sure she'd agree with the "deserved" bit!
Jay Harris
20 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:54:08
Last man standing Eh John. I wish I could be there.

Dennis Adeniran very impressive. Halloway and Broadhead not having a bad game. Bit disappointed with the front two of Sambou and Hornby.

Lets hope we cling on and win the title again

Derek Knox
21 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:57:53
Hello John, nothing has arrived in today's post so hopefully tomorrow, then I will give you a ring.

Thanks Srdjan, like Brent said his link didn't work! Not the greatest game but at least we have a goal on the board, they will have to come out more in the second half, so hopefully we can open them up again.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

22 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:57:54
You might have prioritised the wrong game, Brent.

Couldn't you have sold tonight to the missus as a romantic night out under lights, live entertainment and a Clayton pie thrown in..?

Brent Stephens
23 Posted 15/04/2019 at 19:59:37
Haha, Jay! I doubt she'd have fallen for another one of my ruses. No Chang there, then.
Derek Knox
24 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:03:05
I saw on SSN Gomes has been given till Thursday to explain his stamping on Mitrovic, but I think he will be charged, a bit naughty to be honest we don't need that sort of RS tactic from our boys.
John McFarlane Snr
25 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:15:30
Hi Derek [21] I didn't make myself quite clear regarding the length of each session, sessions 1and 2 will last for two hours enabling each group to get to know 50% of their fellow 'Blues. Sessions 3 and 4 will likewise last for two hours, enabling the remaining 50% to get to know each other. I'm afraid that you will probably receive your copy on Wednesday I just missed the afternoon deadline. Best wishes, John.
Brian Williams
26 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:17:48
Derek. He HAS been charged mate I believe.
Gerry Quinn
27 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:21:44
Gerry Quinn
28 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:21:44
GOAL! - Everton 1-0 Brighton (Bowler)
Brilliant. Lovely touch on the bounce to take the ball away from the defender, he strides towards the edge of the box and rifles one, low into the bottom corner.

Points to Unsworth with a smile on his face.. Unsy points back.

Gerry Quinn
29 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:23:23
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-u23s-brighton-live-goal-16128906
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

30 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:24:15
What a tackle by Lewis Gibson just then! He's some player, this lad.
Brent Stephens
31 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:27:56
Gerry, I see you're a few minutes behind!
Brent Stephens
32 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:30:01
Jay, Gibson and Feeney are consistently a great double act.
Gerry Quinn
33 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:34:06
Just got back in from hospital, Brent, and did not see any score or Live Forum so put up the score - just realised we are half way through the second half almost
Brent Stephens
34 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:35:46
You ok, Gerry?
Gerry Quinn
35 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:41:05
Yeah, just a CT Scan on my AAA stint...
Gerry Quinn
36 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:42:31
Who is the right back? He played a fabulous left foot pass to the forward earlier - brilliant
Brent Stephens
37 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:43:30
What a penalty miss by BHA
Brent Stephens
38 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:44:26
Ryan Astley playing RB
Gerry Quinn
39 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:44:48
Some PK miss that!
Brent Stephens
40 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:46:13
UR all heart, Gerry.
Brent Stephens
41 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:50:07
Dennis Emmanuel Abiodun Bamidele Chijoke Adeniran - man of the match
Gerry Quinn
42 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:57:04
PK Nuts!
Lev Vellene
43 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:57:51
Great effort! Congrats!
Gerry Quinn
44 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:58:18
Championeeeees
Brian Williams
45 Posted 15/04/2019 at 20:59:18
Jesus even the U23's do it the hard way. Phew!!
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

46 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:01:57
Phew! What a stressful last 15-20 minutes.

Really didn't like how we withdrew so deep and allowed them to come on to us. Messy tackle for their penalty. Sorry for the slip by their lad, but...it gives us silverware.

There's some good lads in this group, but a few also disappointed me tonight.

Sam Hoare
47 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:02:30
Great work from the lads. Got lucky with the penalty miss but we should have been 3 up by that point. Gibson, Adeniran and especially Bowler impressed me.
Brian Williams
48 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:05:47
Watching Josh Bowler was like watching a certain ex player now plying his trade with Chelsea. Runs and plays in a very similar style and has a good left foot.
Michael Lynch
49 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:08:40
Bowler was very good
Jay Harris
50 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:15:16
You could feel the tension but some great performances out there tonight.

Thought Brighton's LB Cochrane was MOTM but the boys showed the way for the first team now with two championships in 3 years.

Derek Knox
51 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:16:56
Made up for the lads! A Trophy at last! A few good lads in there.

Brian W, very impressed with Josh, took his goal well and should have had another.

Brent Stephens
52 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:18:14
Yes, Cochrane for them stood out. But I love our CB pairing of Feeney and Gibson. Solid right through the season.
Dave Williams
53 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:23:37
The back four,Adeniran, Bowler and Broadhead all decent and I agree with Brian at a glance you’d think it was Barkley on the right wing
Great result and congrats to Unsworth for again showing what he can do!
Sam Hoare
54 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:24:54
Bowler seemed like he could beat his man (or men) at will and worked hard too. Given we are short of productive right wingers I would not be surprised to see him given opportunities next year if he has a good pre-season.
Phill Thompson
55 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:26:33
Easy to see why we’ve got by far the best defence in this league but one of the poorest goals scored record. Great achievement for these young lads though, from memory only Feeney, Galloway and Broadhead who started tonight played two years ago, so a great job by Unsworth in moving some people up, some people on and bringing through some talented youngsters. Maybe Gibson will get a first team squad position this season, he’d be good cover for Digne.
Rob Halligan
56 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:27:51
Commentators saying they felt sorry for the Brighton player who slipped and put his penalty about 10 yards wide. Bollox. When there is a trophy at stake and the opposition miss a penalty, we'd all be going ballistic if it meant winning, and certainly not feeling sorry for the player missing the penalty.

Was actually a good game considering what was at stake. As Derek says, there are a few good lads in the U23's. Might be worth trying one of two out in the first team. However, I believe they still have another trophy to aim for, so no point in denting their confidence!!

Tony Twist
57 Posted 15/04/2019 at 21:36:40
Thank Christ for that! Well done lads, great effort. Unsworth doing a Silva by putting on a defender instead of putting more in midfield, his actions allowing Brighton to attack us even more. It almost cost us. Don't managers ever learn?
Phill Thompson
58 Posted 15/04/2019 at 22:06:46
Tony, agree with that. Our game was crying out for bringing on Anthony Gordon at 60 mins and playing him at 9. He would have caused then problems with his pace, certainly enough to make them rethink their plans of pushing their defenders forward so much. It’s puzzling really, Gordon has been praised in the last two games when he’s played at 9 but wasn’t used until very late.
Fran Mitchell
59 Posted 16/04/2019 at 00:21:21
Great stuff. Hope to see at least Feeney, Bowler and Adeniran, and maybe Gordon get some gane time as a reward in the final games and make a statement for a place in next seasons first team squad.
David Pearl
60 Posted 16/04/2019 at 00:31:37
Well done Unsworth. Interesting to see if any make the step up to save us a few Bob. I'd really like more outgoing than incoming this summer so that gives a chance for Bernard and Lookman etc to keep improving.
Mark Andersson
61 Posted 16/04/2019 at 01:23:00
Well done boys... keep working hard and get into tge first team...
Gavin Johnson
62 Posted 16/04/2019 at 03:20:38
Well done to the boys. This 2nd title win consolidates the Everton academy as the best in the country.

There's a lot of talent in the side and I can see any one of Feeney, Gibson, Gordon, Broadhead, Bowler or Hornby making it into the first team friendly fixtures this summer.

We're spoilt for choice. I've always Anthony Evans and he's another who might get taken a look at. I'm not familiar with Astley, but I hear he's rated by a few people.

Let's just hope at least a couple of the lads can make it to the first team and join Tom Davies and Mason Holgate. I fear Dowall and Kenny might not make it, at least not for club contending for the top 6.

Alan J Thompson
63 Posted 16/04/2019 at 06:03:00
Anyone know if Mr Brands or Mr Silva were at this game?
Sam Hoare
64 Posted 16/04/2019 at 06:39:27
Alan, I heard that Brands was definitely there. Not sure about Silva, guess he is focused on Man U.
Martin Nicholls
65 Posted 16/04/2019 at 08:13:28
Good to see Antony Evans in the Park End supporting his mates last night. Had to do a double-take as at first it seemed Tommy Fleetwood had not footed it back from Augusta for the game!
Martin Nicholls
66 Posted 16/04/2019 at 08:13:29
Good to see Antony Evans in the Park End supporting his mates last night. Had to do a double-take as at first it seemed Tommy Fleetwood had not footed it back from Augusta for the game!
Dave Williams
67 Posted 16/04/2019 at 08:21:30
I don’t understand the criticism of Unsy for his defensive substitution. He brought one on to ensure we kept our lead which is exactly what he achieved so surely it was an effective substitution?
I know it’s all about opinions and mine is that Kenny will make it at first team level here. Dowell has the talent but possibly not the application or raw determination to impose himself consistently.
Must be worth giving Gibson or Feeney a game in the last home game for the first team!
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

68 Posted 16/04/2019 at 14:19:20
Dave @ 67.

Did you watch the game? Brighton was a handful, but we had many a chance to get a second goal.

We were still carving out chances when with 20 minutes to go, Rhino brought on Matty Foulds - a defender - for Frazer Hornby - an attacker. It completely changed the dynamic of the game.

We started to sit deeper and deeper with absolutely no out ball. The defence just hoofed it forward where it fell unchallenged in the Brighton half as there was no Everton player pushing on beyond the half way line.

Inevitably, Brighton kept coming at us wave after wave and we had many a dodgy moment, not least when we conceded a penalty that their lad fortunately for us slipped when taking and ballooned high.

I thought it was a strange tactic to employ with so much of the game to play when we were still causing them problems going forward. I'd go as far to say it was uncharacteristic of how Unsworth normally sets up his teams.

I think it is a completely legitimate observation to make that Unsworth's substitution and tactical switch nearly cost us securing the title last night.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

69 Posted 16/04/2019 at 14:19:26
Dave @ 67.

Did you watch the game? Brighton was a handful, but we had many a chance to get a second goal.

We were still carving out chances when with 20 minutes to go, Rhino brought on Matty Foulds - a defender - for Frazer Hornby - an attacker. It completely changed the dynamic of the game.

We started to sit deeper and deeper with absolutely no out ball. The defence just hoofed it forward where it fell unchallenged in the Brighton half as there was no Everton player pushing on beyond the half way line.

Inevitably, Brighton kept coming at us wave after wave and we had many a dodgy moment, not least when we conceded a penalty that their lad fortunately for us slipped when taking and ballooned high.

I thought it was a strange tactic to employ with so much of the game to play when we were still causing them problems going forward. I'd go as far to say it was uncharacteristic of how Unsworth normally sets up his teams.

I think it is a completely legitimate observation to make that Unsworth's substitution and tactical switch nearly cost us securing the title last night.

Gerry Quinn
70 Posted 16/04/2019 at 17:47:48
...and, of course totally predictable - absolutely NO mention at all of the Championship win on the crappy BBC Football sight - bet your bottom dollar if Salah farts on the field it would make huge headlines in numerous sections!
Gerry Quinn
71 Posted 16/04/2019 at 17:48:28
...and, of course totally predictable - absolutely NO mention at all of the Championship win on the crappy BBC Football sight - bet your bottom dollar if Salah farts on the field it would make huge headlines in numerous sections!
John Boon
72 Posted 16/04/2019 at 18:22:04
Great game to watch. I personally think that Silva should be there even if it only to appreciate and give moral support to genuine Evertonians. I know it is very difficult to break into the first team but everyone of those young players must feel that they have some chance of making it. Whether you work in an office, or a factory or any where else for that matter young people like to get a personal "Well Done" from the Boss.
John Raftery
73 Posted 16/04/2019 at 18:49:43
For me the two players who stood out last night were Gibson in defence and Bowler on the right wing. Both were signed in the infamous scattergun summer of 2017.

Gibson who came from Newcastle looks a class act. He appears to have the leadership qualities to be a wry good captain. From what I could hear in the Park End he was the one cajoling his team mates for greater focus and effort in the final stages, even after his own mistake for the penalty.

Bowler came from QPR and is an old style wizard of the dribble with the ability to give defenders twisted blood. He seems to have matured physically in the last twelve months. If he makes goal scoring a consistent part of his game he will be a player to be reckoned with.

Andy Crooks
74 Posted 16/04/2019 at 19:46:08
John hope to see you on Sunday. Please tell me you didn't think Gibson would make a "very", good captain. How much would I love a "wry", captain. As you say, he and Bowler look to be pretty smart.
Sean Callaghan
75 Posted 16/04/2019 at 20:44:19
True Gerry (71). But they are re-reporting some RS non-entity tweeting some banality about being played out of position. In Everton related news, however, they were clearly on standby in their 'breaking news' section to gleefully trumpet the Gomes ban as soon as it was announced.
Bill Watson
76 Posted 16/04/2019 at 23:36:43
Congratulations to the U23s!

Bowler and Gibson stood out for me and look like they could have a future. Not so impressed with Galloway, though.

Even less impressed that only two of the four refreshment counters were open when Everton must have known the Park End would be pretty packed.

John Raftery
77 Posted 17/04/2019 at 08:43:04
Hi Andy (74) Yes we could do with one of those at times! Labone had a wry sense of humour as well as many other qualities. Look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Paul Birmingham
78 Posted 17/04/2019 at 09:43:29
Great result and reward for hard work, commitment and consistency over the season.

Well done lads and hopefully a good future in the EFC first team for a few of these lads,and elsewhere in football.

Steve Carse
79 Posted 17/04/2019 at 10:28:27
Strange that the Premier League itself did not seem to be pushing too hard for media coverage on the winners of their own competition.
David Baxter
80 Posted 17/04/2019 at 11:09:46
Take a note of all the names of the players that won the title, also the players in the cup final between Liverpool and Man City. In 3 years time, 90% of these players will be playing for teams such as Wigan, Doncaster, Nottm Forest etc.

It is a HUGE step to Premier League football, and so many promising and gifted young lads fail to make it. The Premier League demands consistency week after week, not one great game in ten. Fame attracts them to women, night clubbing, newspaper following, cameras and mobile phone clippings showing them in various poses not liked by club managers, all sorts of distractions.

Only the 100% dedication to their trade gets them to the very top... so many fall at these hurdles.

Kevin Prytherch
81 Posted 17/04/2019 at 11:37:02
David - Out of the last team the number of players who look like making a decent career (championship level or above) is phenomenal.

Kenny, Robinson, Holgate, Pennington, Connelly, Williams, Davies, Dowell, Calvert-Lewin.

I doubt this lot will be as successful (they strike me as a good team rather than talented individuals), but if we get sell on clauses for those who move on and get a few playing ourselves then we’ll have done well.

It’s a far cry from a few years ago where 1 or 2 seemed to stay somewhere in league football and the rest drifted to non league or out of football completely.

David Baxter
82 Posted 17/04/2019 at 13:06:49
Kevin--I said "get to the very top" not "make a decent career"
Phil Smith
83 Posted 16/04/2019 at 15:56:20
I would like a couple of these guys get some minutes before the season is out, just to give them a taste of the first team, especially Josh Bowler. I've been saying on here for a wee while that he's been playing great recently.
Dave Williams
84 Posted 17/04/2019 at 18:30:10
Jay- yes I did on the You tube Chanel. The point I was making was that the substitution didn’t cost us the game and no one can say what might have happened if he had brought on an attacker instead. The dynamic would have been different certainly but maybe they would have found a bit more space and have scored?
Unsy brought on a defender to secure the one goal lead and we did! That suggests to me that his tactic worked.
Gerry Quinn
85 Posted 18/04/2019 at 16:44:06
How totally fucking useless and disinterested the BBC are if it's not the fucking Red Shite! I asked them WHY Everton U23s got no mention whatsoever of their 2nd League win in 3 years - this was their pathetic response

Thank you for contacting the BBC Sport website. We appreciate all feedback but regret we are not able to answer all the comments and enquiries we receive directly.

If your email is to tell us about a typographical, grammatical, statistical or minor factual error we will fix these without sending you an additional email.

If you wish to file a complaint, you should submit it using our central complaints website. Please visit www.bbc.co.uk/complaints where you can find full details of our complaints procedure.

Kind regards
BBC Sport Interactive

Rob Halligan
86 Posted 18/04/2019 at 16:59:13
Gerry what's the email address. I will send one.
Gerry Quinn
87 Posted 18/04/2019 at 17:42:10
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/contact
Gerry Quinn
88 Posted 18/04/2019 at 17:43:34
Maybe we should totally blitz them on


www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

Rob Halligan
89 Posted 18/04/2019 at 23:05:25
Have sent email to BBC, as per above, but no doubt will get the same reply as Gerry.
Rob Halligan
90 Posted 19/04/2019 at 10:24:30
Yep, just as I thought. Exactly the same reply that Gerry got. Obviously one of those automated replies. The fuckers probably don't even read emails unless it's sent by a RS.
Steve Cotton
91 Posted 19/04/2019 at 10:47:46
Just worked out how to get Onyekuru a work permit! Phone up the home office and tell them he has agreed to join Liverpool un the summer voila work permit in return post... sorted
Paul Burns
92 Posted 19/04/2019 at 11:08:38
Youth teams are a waste of time.
Anyone decent will be flogged off cheaply to one of our rivals and we'll be left with the mediocre at best.
Kenwright's legacy, god bless him.

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