U23s beat Derby County at Goodison Park

Can't make it myself tonight, but will try and get it on YouTube. Hope the lads have a good work out and win.

Here's the link to the YouTube livestream.

Link

Still 0-0 10-15 minutes in.

Hi Jay, got it on YouTube Channel; a bit windy but they're doing alright up to now.

Adineran close after a move involving Markelo. Poor first half.

Mind you, Brent, despite the conditions, we look the better team.

Aye Derek. Simms hits post.

I'd say we had the better of that half, wouldn't you, Derek? Iversen could – perhaps should – have scored with a header and Simms unlucky with his own headed effort on the stroke of half-time.

Have you braved the elements at Goodison tonight, Brent?

No, Jay. My chauffeur rang in sick.

Thanks for the link, Jay, much appreciated. I'm supposed to be getting a link from the club for these games with the International Membership.

Sprinklers on a half-time? What happened to Storm Dennis? We see pictures of floods in Wales on TV?

Evening, Jay...

Phtt! Can't get the staff these days, Brent.

Hope the butler is keeping you well lubricated.

That sounds dodgy, Jay!

I thought that myself, Brent, after posting and reading it back!!!

Beningame the best player on the pitch by a country mile.

Great commentary comment if I heard it correctly "Some of these Derby County Under-23s are over 20" ???

Jay, people used to pay money in those machines to catch a glimpse of what the butler saw. Don't know if it was Brent's butler though. :-)

Cheeky sod, Derek!

David, I think Beni Baningime has been U23s man of the season so far.

I've always liked Beni Baningime, a bit of a mystery what happened to him when he went to Wigan on loan, only played one game I think! Hope he can make the bench next season, although he'll have a lot of competition.

Derek, he had injury problems. Unsworth said this week it's only now he's back at 100% fitness.

Keep seeing these links to the Brazilian Allan, and Hirving Lozano as two possibles for the Summer Window. All gone quiet on Everton Soares (Cebolinha), Jay!

Thanks for the heads up on this, guys. I'm enjoying this game very much.

I hope Ancelotti gives Beni a chance with the first team this season, it might save us a few bob in the summer.

Hi Mike G, glad to see you've joined in.

Derek, don't drop hints like that. Every time Lozano is mentioned, I take a sprint around the house.

Mike G. Hi. I take it you didn't make it the game. Mampala goal!

Lovely from Mampala there. Second bite better than the first.

Get in, Mampala!!!

Too bad. Not great work from the backline there.

Bit of a soft goal.

Derby finishing the stronger...

Cleared off the line, then a fine save by the keeper. Heartbreaker.

Superb gamewinner by Simms. DAMN he has pace.

Get in, Ellis!!!

Well taken Simms goal.

Loved the way he shaped his run to get it on his preferred foot.

Good result, deserved in the end. Some good youngsters coming through.

Enjoyable game in horrible conditions. 2 great goals. Baningime and Markelo in the middle were superb.

Good game. A draw for Derby wouldn't have been a fair reflection of the 90 minutes.

Well played to both Mampala and Simms on their goals as both missed good chances from similar positions.

Derby is one of the stronger teams in the PL2 this season. They were leading it until very recently, but have just started to stutter, so a good result and performance from our boys.

Nathan Markelo, David. Dutch lad. Had a great 2nd half in particular. He can look very, very good, but then very anonymous.

David, that's Nathan Markelo, the kid from the Netherlands.

Nathangelo Markelo. Signed as a defender now playing in midfield and can play up top. Very, very versatile. But already 21. Was signed a few years back now, under the Walsh regime, but Unsworth takes credit.

None of the lads today are young, only Astley and Simms are impressive and teenagers.

Turned over for second half of Chelsea v Man Utd, United one -up, Martial, last-minute goal in first half.

DK, I can't believe Maguire didn't see red for that kick in the nuts. Blatant.

Steve @43, I guess 'young' is relative but Astley and Iversen are both 18 still while Simms just turned 19.

Per, our side is old compared to Derby's. We have impressive youngsters in the squad and two of them came on: Quirk (18), Onyango (16) and Dobbin who stayed on the bench (17).

The boy Iversen is not bad but I don't think that much of him and he's closer to 19. I did mention Astley and Simms were teenagers and impressive. The rest of the side is unlikely to make it.

Good result if Man Utd win. We can beat both of these, even with our current squad. Give Ancelotti a decent summer of signings and we will spank both of these next season.

Well, the age of our U23s is coming down, three U18s on the pitch at the end. We are definitely moving in the right direction.

Dobbin has played a lot of football lately, playing and scoring in a few England U17 games plus playing for our U18 last Saturday, so maybe he was being rested. But, for me, an opportunity missed by not bringing him on alongside Simms to run at a tiring defence with his pace.

I expect an even younger side next season.

Great header, that, by Maguire.

Mike #48, it is not a good result -- it puts United back up above us.

Besides, it's never, ever a good thing when they win.

I agree, Mike, it would have been better if tonight's game had have ended in a draw. But, we should be happy with a dozen games to go that we are within striking distance of the top four – the next four games are critical for the Blues.

It's a better result in the whole scheme of things, though, Mike G, because Chelsea are only 5 points ahead of us, in the race for the Top 4!

Wish I knew how to attach a video on here (if it's even possible). Just been sent one showing a virtual replacement of Goodison and then the creation on Bramley-Moore Dock.

Goose-pimple time!

According to Sky, it's wide open for top 4 between Chelsea, Spurs and Man Utd now.

I hope we, Sheffield Utd and Wolves finish above them.

Mike Gaynes, a Man Utd win keeps the gap at 5 points. And we play all of these teams around us. Those dropped points against Newcastle are more annoying now, as are the ones against Norwich... Bournemouth Burnley etc, etc.

Apparently some feel Ancelotti will be a failure if we don't qualify for Europe after the appalling first half of the season.

Hopefully Chelsea, Wolves, Man Utd, Sheffield Utd, even Arsenal will do everything in their power to allow us to forge ahead and get that European spot.

The end of next season will show if Ancelotti is our man and not a failure.

John, Mike, Tony... With the exception of that famous poster of Raquel Welch in the fur bikini, and maybe a sunset over Molokai, there is no more magnificent sight to see than that of Manchester United below us in the table.

I've been clicking back in every day for the past week just to enjoy the view.

(The table, not the poster.)

I hate those fuckers.

Mike G #51. I am glad Man Utd won tonight as it puts us closer to Chelsea! Grabbing 4th place is what matters! I also want a strong Manchester United because, without them, there is no-one to prevent Liverpool winning titles forevermore. I do not want to hear the RS labelled as the top club in England, bollocks to that.

In an ideal world, it would be us challenging for the title in years to come but sadly we lack ambition. Richarlison will the next to be sold, then we have no quality players left whatsoever!

The big picture tonight is this: only corrupt officials and corrupt referees and their 'decisions' have stopped us being 4th right now!

Graham #59, I think our frequently crappy play and previously idiotic coaching had something to do with it as well.

Incidentally, for our US viewers, there's a wonderful feature on Speedo Mick right now on The Men In Blazers Show.

Mike #60,

I am not going to disagree with you, our play this season has been frequently crap and you do not need to get me started on Marco Silva!

That said, it is Everton all over that he kept his job as long as he did. The club accepts and tolerates mediocrity and crap, as do many of the supporters; it has to stop! We have been robbed of points through the season, though, and 'decisions' have stopped us now being in that 4th position. I am not happy with it!

I agree that, for the most part, Everton have not inspired confidence in most games but, at least now, they are getting points whereas before, under the garbage managers we had, we just didn't get anything.

Things are slowly turning around and, although there's only a dozen games to go, they could still snatch a European place, which would be nothing short of miraculous given the form under Silva.

The Man Utd result at Chelsea was good for Everton so it remains for the Blues to keep picking up points.

One thing I have to bring up again is: Why many of these so-called professional coaches today do not put defenders on each post when defending corners? It happened again today, as it does in so many games, and goals are conceded when many could be prevented. No excuses for this at all.

The man who scored Man Utd's clincher should have not been on the field, a definite red card. Still, I think he will be brought to justice with another look at that incident tomorrow, and I'm a United fan from long standing – second to Everton, of course. How Chelsea lost that game is hard to understand... A bit naive under the new manager, but they will improve.

John @57, I'm with you 100%, on that account.

Miracles are few and far between in life and football, if Everton make it this season, it will in my book be a miracle, bearing in mind the disastrous first 4½ months of this season.

John @ 57, I agree. Klopp was appointed on 8 October 2015 and finished his first season in 8th position with a better squad than Carlo has at his disposal. He then won a trophy at the end of his fourth season.

It will be amazing to push for a Champions League or Europa League spot and brings far more excitement to the season than we dared hope for when Dunc took over with us languishing in the bottom three. Carlo has definitely targeted Europa League – but a failure if we don't achieve it this season? Come off it.

Dave @ 63. How come you like Man Utd? Respect for Fergie's achievements?

Glad to hear that Beni had a good game. I am a fan of the lad, and hope he becomes a good player for us – like Holgate, Calvert-Lewin, and to an extent, Davies are turning out for us.

Just 1 or 2 key signings in the summer with exits of some of our higher-paid players, will go a long way in stabilising the club's finances, and put us on a firm footing for challenging the top teams for honours. Hopefully, players like Baningime, Gordon and Simms get a few minutes on the pitch, at least for a few of the remaining games.

I don't think I have ever heard anyone in an alehouse or seen anyone who posts on here saying Ancelotti would be a failure if we didn't qualify for Europe after the "appalling first half to the season".

The claim was, if we failed from the HERE and NOW, it would be deemed failure. The teams above us have failed to get away and cement their places and that makes them vulnerable to a late surge... What's so hard to understand about that?

There is of course history of people on here throwing in the towel for whole blocks of matches long before they are played, and they will of course readily accept non-qualification due to what happened when Silva was manager.

There are no prizes for not being Marco Silva. The prizes will go to those who dare and belief. If we fail, we fail as a collective, but those who want to make it entirely about Ancelotti will certainly get their wish. At this point, many are expecting... and, if we don't qualify from THIS position, there will be many who will consider it failure.

I believe people are making our task mountainous because they want to proclaim qualification as some sort of miracle. It won't be. It will just be Everton doing (for once) what should be considered the bare minimum.

Nobody is expecting Everton to come from another postcode AT THIS STAGE, but only FIVE points and a handful of inconsistent teams stand between us and Champions League qualification right now. Everyone of them have a more demanding run-in than us. There is simply no point in talking about the situation before Chrimbo and using it as a lame excuse. That situation has changed.

Champions League qualification is what we should be aiming at from here on in. It would be a great achievement if we could manage it (but not a miracle). We need to keep winning and believing. If we don't believe qualification for the Europa League is the bare minimum under these circumstances, then when do we believe it?

Tomorrow? Heard it.

I read Everton had the most demanding fixtures left to play, Darren, but that in itself isn't the major issue for me. It's more that I'm not sure our team is good enough in key positions, and we are also not brave enough, especially away from Goodison Park, because of this. (This could change if Kean improves, allowing Richarlison to improve our midfield, and then it's all about Gomes!?)

We have gained decent results since Ferguson took over, though, which should bring a lot of confidence, but if it wouldn't be a miracle if Everton qualified for the Champions League now. I cast my mind back to the FA Cup tie at Anfield, and hopefully this is something the players also constantly do, because qualifying for the Champions League would be unbelievable, both for themselves and us very loyal supporters, and it's most definitely achievable now!

Brian @54, I'm just glad we are learning from experience and knocking Goodison down!

Tony #69.

If the end result looks anything like the video, mate, it'll be amazing, honestly!

For me there is some ground between failure and success. A sort of treading water ground that we have too often occupied.

I think if we achieved Champions League qualification from here with this squad, it would be very impressive indeed. We are fighting a bunch of richer teams with better squads and easier run-ins. Not a miracle perhaps but extremely challenging.

If we were to come 6th, for example, and achieve Europe, I would still see that as a success but I guess it's a personal thing.

I see Onyango made an assist. I know he was only sub yesterday but I'm keen to hear how he's getting on generally. Can any of our regular U23 watchers give me the lowdown? I know he has the physicality and bundles of potential.

Remember looking at those brochures years ago and thinking you were going to paradise, Brian, mate? I hope they do special things with and around Goodison Park, because it must be one of the most run-down places in the country, possibly even eclipsing Birkenhead?

In my opinion, talk about 5th position and gaining Champions League qualification is moot. I think Man City will play in next season's competition.

Steve #72, Onyango missed the two games before last night's match (not sure why). And before that had some appearances off the bench and some starting the game. I like him. Just coming up to 17. Big and strong, can make a tackle. Covers a lot of ground. Calm on the ball.

Carlo has only just joined us, early days etc, but I hope he's keeping an eye on lads like this (Beni included).

Steve (66), I've always liked Mnchester United, going back as far as 1948, when they won the FA Cup, coming from 2-1 down at half-time to win 4-2, although I only heard that game on the wireless (radio). They were always a football-playing team. I carried on liking them right up to Munich and the disaster that robbed them of a wonderful squad through death and injuries occurred with the plane crash.

Man Utd were a well-run club, but seem to be struggling now, on and off the pitch. You are right about Ferguson; yes, he helped me to continue to like them well, driving red supporters up the wall, those who go to the game and the legions of armchair Sky hangers-on.

Last night though, they were exceedingly fortunate with many decisions going their way and Chelsea were the better team and deserved better, beaten by VAR more than anything United did.

Brent, as I mentioned, we have a good crop of youngsters in the U-23s and the U18s, and last night's result will go a long way to bolstering confidence.

This will help to increase pressure for team selection and also encourage those who have seen Anthony Gordon elevated to first team consideration, to believe they can emulate him by turning in consistent displays.

We have a decent youth set-up, and when you consider that Fraser Hornby, Lewis Gordon, Morgan Feeney, Calum Connolly and Anthony Evans have moved out on loan apart from Anthony who has gone to SC Paderborn.

Long may it continue, I do enjoy watching the U-23s playing especially at Goodison, to monitor their progress. By the way, the Women's Team is doing well too in the Cup, but need to get higher in the League Table, all encouraging signs, auguring well for the future.

Mike (#55), that boils my piss as well, the media are even talking about a late surge for Arsenal to get the Champions League spot after their win against Newcastle, despite them being below us in the table.

Perhaps my glasses are too blue but all the teams there or thereabouts are inconsistent and it would be a brave man who'd put a few bob on 4th; Wolves? Sheff Utd? Us? Why not???

Yes, the next 4 games will be tough, but trips to Arsenal and Chelsea don't have the terror factor they once did, well not for me anyway, and ffs we've got to beat Liverpool some day.

So, for the first time in a long, long time, I'm feeling optimistic about the future, while still expecting to be doused in the warm piss of reality lurking somewhere in the back of my mind.

Derek #78, yes a significant number of players have moved on recently, so the U23s is looking quite different in its composition. I like to see the U23s win but it's more about developing the kids. I'd like to see the U18s but I don't think plebs like me are allowed into Finch Farm for games (?).

Darren

I have just looked at the fixtures for all the teams competing for 4th place, and looking at the fixtures, I don't think we have the easiest run-in. I have looked at how many times they play against other teams currently in the top 10.

Chelsea 4; Man Utd 5; Spurs 7; Arsenal 5; Wolves 5; Sheffield Utd 5; Everton 8.

But why not believe we can get 4th place? On our day, we can match most of the other teams competing for the 4th place, but it's a big ask given our run of fixtures compared to the others.

What might help is most of the others are still playing European ties, which does take its toll, so maybe, just maybe we can do it.

Those 8 games are 6 pointers though, if we can chisel away at the competition's totals... Let me dream.

Brent #76, I'm hoping that we saw a glimpse of future Premier League commentary last night:

“Onyango threads a superb ball through the defence, Simms is on to it in a flash, outpacing the defenders and sliding the ball past the goalkeeper.”

A long, long way to go for both those players... but it's nice to dream!

Dave @ 77, thanks for sharing. I always admired Ferguson hugely as he built four league-winning sides which is an amazing feat.

Phill #83 - that scenario actually got me genuinely excited! A long way to go in level but maybe not that long in time? I can only dream, like you!

Beni again showed well last night. Unsie said this week he's only just back to 100% fitness after so long.

I thought the tackling throughout the whole team was excellent last night. Some praise must go to the referee who allowed some full-bloodied challenges to go without being pulled up for a foul.

Time and again such clean forceful challenges turned over the ball in our favour and set us on the front foot.

Echo Phil @ 83. Onyango played a beaut of a through ball for Simms to score the late winner. Overall, I thought Markelo was the best midfielder on show for us last night, which isn't always the case.

Jay "I thought the tackling throughout the whole team was excellent last night. Some praise must go to the referee who allowed some full-bloodied challenges to go without being pulled up for a foul".

Bloody hell yes, Jay, there really were some tackles going in. Colin Harvey would have been proud. I wonder if the ref was marked down by the official observer for being too lenient?

11/10 from me (the ref, not your post!).

12 for my post then Brent..?

12 it is, Jay. (One cheeky bugger, that!)

Brian

We most definitely do have the easiest run in.

Man United have to play at least three games more than us. That number is very likely to increase. They may not be playing too many top teams but they will be up against about five teams fighting for their premiership lives.

Arsenal have to play at least three games more than us. That number is also likely to increase. Their league fixtures include games against us Wolves Leicester, Liverpool and Us

Chelsea have to play at Least three more games more than us. They face Bayern and Liverpool in the cups. They have to play Us, Tottenham, Liverpool, City Sheffield United and Wolves

Wolves have to play at least two more games than us. There league fixtures include Tottenham, Sheffield United and Us.

Spurs have to play at least three more games than us. Their league fixtures include Chelsea, Wolves, Man U, Sheff U, Arsenal and Leicester.

Sheffield United are the only one of that group who only have league games like us and they have Man U, Tottenham, Wolves, Chelsea, Leicester and us. They have a tiny squad. They are on the bones of their arses for premier standard players.

We cant keep talking up the size of our task. Especially when you consider we are entering the business end of the season and the teams around us are likely to go deeper into the cup competitions and have far greater mountains to climb.

None of our rivals for European football is anything to write home about. They will take points from each other. We should be looking to our games against them as opportunities to land knock out blows. Not trembling at the sight of our fixture list and talking about miracles.

The way the league is this season, with everybody beating each other, I think it's hard to say who has the 'easier' run-in.

That's a positive for me. It's in our hands. There's no-one to fear in this league. Win the next game, the next game, the next game and get some momentum.

I don't care if the media ignore us. Let's go under the radar, let's get the points and qualify.

Carlo isn't here to 'wait until we're ready'. So let's stop farting about, qualify for Europe and deal with it. Let's act on the basis we're the big club we are, rather than the cautious club we've become.