Everton U23s draw with Chelsea

Virginia. John. Foulds. Markelo. Feeney. Gibson. Evans. Baningime. Simms. Quirk. Adeniran.
Branthwaite on bench.

Quirk goal.

Chelsea equalise.

Penalty Chelsea. 1-2.

Beni wins penalty. Evans scores.

Is it 2-2 now??

2-2. The End.

Solid from the back four especially Kyle John and Gibson. Midfield competent - Beni MOTM for me. Simms never really got a look in and was subbed. Makes calls to start him for the firsts look premature.

Beni seems to be finding a bit of form again.

And Beni is consistent, Richard. Albert Steptoe reborn, the way he walks and runs in that hunched fashion.

Yeah Brent, I really liked him when he got the couple of run outs with the first team. I'd love to see him push on

Brent (7), that's mostly the way I saw the game, I thought Kyle John was outstanding and had some good runs, the pitch spoiled any chance of decent football.

Did you go to the game Brent or watch it on the excellent stream provided by the away team Chelsea, well done to them and the Evertonian on anothervwebsite who passed on the link to the game.

Everton FC really stink with the lack of effort to provide a stream to the game which they promise to all Everton season ticket holders and members at the start of each season but seldom follow through with the promise.

Yes, he might get a run out soon with the big boys, Richard.

And apparently he's bought a racehorse - called Hercules.

Went to the game, Dave. Thought I'd gone down to Southport beach by mistake, all that sand.

Beni. More than two years now since he made those five starts (three in Europa games), followed by a few sub appearances... and then oblivion.

Wouldn't it be cool if he were suddenly to pop back into the first team picture out of nowhere?

A serious talent, Mike, and he looked a natural. There is time yet.

Mike (14), Tony (15) - I wonder if Carlo watches these games - or has a reliable deputy there to report back?

Certainly Brands attends most games.

Beni has been consistently great for the U23s, would love him to get near the first team as a reward for this.

Also, he seems to have added goal-threatening passes to his game, some really good through-balls in the last couple of games, to compliment his steady approach.

Who would have thunk it.

How did Seb Quirk do Brent?

Tony (19), nice and steady, Tony, nipped in quick for his goal, never stood out but played a calm game, everything measured, but it was hard to judge because of the state of the pitch, it was difficult to play quality football on it, that is why Benni Banginime stood out, even on that pitch he managed to show a bit of class, don't know how he is rated at Everton now, don't know how long he has got on his contract, but he wouldn't look out of place in Everton's midfield, how could he with the performances of some/most of them this season.

Given the poor state of the pitch I thought both teams played well, and we could have won it but for some excellent saves from their keeper. There were lots of good performances out there too from individual players and Markelo and Adeniran are now looking like they've kicked on a bit.
Seb Quirk had a decent first start, he was mainly playing further back than he normally does but there was a lot of flexibility in midfield for people to move forward.

I am obsessed with hoping that Beni comes good for us. I think we have a class player in him - a real Rolls Royce. He needs a run of games to get his career kick-started. Hopefully, he can impress Carlo enough to give him a few cameos. The tragedy for Everton is (or I don't know if it is a general PL thing), all our matches are so tight that no manager feels comfortable enough to risk introducing a youngster into a situation where even 1 mistake can lead to a catastrophic result and could result in the youngster's career receiving a massive setback.

I agree, Ajay @22, he has a lovely, elegant style. Interesting that Peter @18 has seen him develop his passing - the young man has always had fine awareness of space around him

Hugh @16, Ancelotti might be the perfect manager for someone like Beni. We can only hope.

Tony (Abrahams) #19 apart from his goal, young Quirk looked a wee bit lost.

Ah, responded to Tony before I saw Dave's reply. Your "nice and steady" might be more generous than my "a wee bit lost".

Thanks for those reports on young Quirky, I just hope the kid has done enough to get an extension to his contract that will probably be finishing this July.

Tony, the fact that Quirk has started at U23s is a very good sign for him re getting a contract. Plus he scored a decent goal at u18 the other week when he was played out on the left, cut in and curled it in with his right foot. I see Harry Tyrer has a contract, of the expected 2nd years I think it's only Quirk left to get one,, I can't see anyone else after him.

Phill (27), how many 2nd, year trainees have been offered professional contracts?

As a matter of interest Banginime has two more years on his contract after this one and Adeniran has another year after this.

Thanks Phil, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for young Seb.

Dave, #28, of the 11 we took on in 2018 two have left, 5 have contracts leaving just Seb Quirk ( very likely) and three who I think are less likely to get contracts, Jack Barrett a GK with competition from Virginia, Hansen and Tyrer ; right back Josh Hosie and left back Jon Anderson neither of whom have shown a great deal of versatility. Tough decisions for someone.

( If I remember right 3 1st years have also been given contracts already)