Everton U23s lose at Chelsea

the Chelsea U23s v Everton U23s game is on tonight, kick-off at 7pm. The club are showing it on their members TV, I've got that. In past years Chelsea TV has also shown it, it's usually free but you need to register.

Thanks Phill. I'm in as an Everton member.

Psst, Brent, how much is that mate? I'm running late signing up.

Dale. I get it tonight as an Everton season ticket holder but you should be able to sign in to Chelsea to get it.

Dale. Google Chelsea 5th Stand and see if you can get into that.

Ooh, Brent, thanks but wouldn't I have to take a shower? Oh well, slow work day I'm going in.

Dale, you can sign up for a mere £30 a year, I think it is, which gives you access to gated video content non-members can't access and live matches such as the game tonight AND 1st team pre-season friendlies.

PLUS! You get a 'goody bag' sent to you. Check out the different packages here:

Everton Membership Offers

Includes for kids, adults and overseas members.

Thanks Jay!! The swag is of interest. UTFT!!!!!

Strewth! We're living dangerously here, especially at the back around and in our own penalty area. Lucky to be 0-0 still after 30 minutes.

Yup! Inevitably, Chelsea take the lead with an oggie.

Can't get this as a season ticket holder, just details to become a member, which I don't, isn't showing for season ticket holders?

Dave, you should have had an email from Everton with a link.

Good Everton goal. Small cross. Hughes goal.

Good equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Thiery Small driving at the Chelsea defence, backing up defenders towards their own 6-yard box, got the cross in for Rhys Hughes to turn in.

Well you'd have to say that Chelsea have looked the better team, but fair play to the youngsters – they've stuck in there, stuck to their shape and haven't been overrun.

It's interesting to see that Luke Butterfield is playing the deepest of the midfielders, almost in the Onyango role. Not bad for a 17-year-old making his first start at this level.

Brent,

No, I never received any notice of this game, although I knew it was being played tonight. Well, no use crying over spilt milk.

Can you and Jay (blimey he's getting it in Brazil and not me in Norris Green) please keep the reports coming in, thanks in advance.

At half-time, they are showing videos from the members area.

Currently showing an excllent one featuring Ben Godfrey on a call to a visually impaired young Blue from Wales who has picked up rewards.

Ben is a natural with him, like Tom Davies in a recent video with a lad helped by EitC with his depression. The lad's mum asks Ben for tackling advice (referring to the cracking tackle on Shaqiri in the derby) and Ben tells him "Timing! – but don't practice it in the street, just on a good pitch! And don't get any yellow or red cards, or I'll get the blame!"

See full video here:

Ben Chats With Young Fan

Dave, I'd contact EFC if I were you. The email I got from them clearly states that I'm a season ticket holder this season, has a box stating Chelsea U23 v Everton U23 and allows me to click through to the live stream.

Excellent opening 5 minutes to the 2nd half. Totally dominant and swarming all over them.

Everton playing much better first 8 minutes of this half.

Chelsea 2-1. Cross from right. Chelsea player quicker to get head to ball for glancing header.

Cannon on for Butterfield.

Hmmm. Chelsea got back in the game without really threatening, but we've just conceded for me a soft one.

Ball played wide right, no pressure on the player. Ball comes into to well outside the near post, but somehow under close attention the Chelsea forward gets a touch in front of the defender and Harry Tyer (too easily..?) beaten on the near post.

Tom Canon joining the fray.

Dujon Sterling, Chelsea's right-back, seems to have been around for years, playing for all the England youth teams on the way up. Probably the most experienced player on both sides, and his class/ experience shows.

Two quick chances for Broadhead. First great cross from Small. Second a cross from Cannon.

Another great Small run and cross, Broadhead couldn't direct his diving header. Now Cannon sets up Broadhead but again not great contact.

Astley lob hits crossbar.

Oof! Dipping volley by Ryan Astley rebounds off the bar.

Unlucky Astley there with a lob that hit the bar.

Our play has improved a lot since the 2nd Chelsea goal.

Iversen shot deflected for corner. Hunt on for Anderson.

Good run and shot through the middle by Iverson. Everton corner cleared.

Cannon fluffs chance from 12 yards after Broadhead pass.

Ohhh! Lovely move and set up by Broadhead for Cannon. Bad miss or good save?

2 minutes left. Our MotM: Broadhead for me. And Small. Livramenti for them.

Final score 2-1 Chelsea.

Decent 2nd half. Possibly the better team. Young team played some decent football.

Enjoyed it.

Yep, a big improvement in 2nd half, and lots of positives to take from the performances of the youngest players, Small, Price, and Butterfield. I'm wondering if Small needs to be permanently playing in midfield, he looks a bit dodgy in his defending but he's transformed when he picks up the ball and moves forward with power and pace.

I continue to like what I see about 17-year-old Isaac Price, Brent.

Got the game on for the last 30 minutes or so. We were a bit slack defending for their second goal. After that, Everton had four or five decent chances to draw level.

As Jay said, two quick ones for Broadhead, couldn't get the header right, but there was a great block by the Chelsea defender for the second chance. A good effort hit the bar, then Tom Cannon was set up by Broadhead and maybe should have done better, but he hadn't been on long when that chance came.

Thierry Small made a great run near the end and loused it up with a ridiculous attempt of a centre. It seems strange, that like the first team, a strong effort comes after they go behind!!

Jay, I was thinking when Mackenzie Hunt came on that at 17 Hunt, Bobby Carrol and Iversen were our midfield at U18. Price is doing that now at 17 for the U23s and starting ahead of the older Hunt. I thought Price actually looked at his best in the final 20 mins, a slight change in format seemed to see him on the ball more. To his credit, he didn't fade away and played the full 90 minutes.

Phill, interesting thought about Small in midfield – makes a lot of sense.

Jay, yes I like Price. Was it him who played a nice round the corner incisive pass towards the end?

Dave, you got the steam going on your TV I guess!

What formation did we play, lads?

What are your thoughts on the job John Ebbrell is doing?

Thomas, 4-5-1. As usual. Not sure I could comment on Ebbrell! That was a young side tonight.

Thanks, Brent.

I haven't seen much of the U18s. Interesting the names you and a few mentioned.

Sorry, mate, just realised it's Paul Tait.

Does Ebrell have a role?

Fingers crossed, Brent.

Supplement the buys with a few through the academy would be a great thing.

Fingers crossed, Thomas!

Thomas, John Ebbrell seems to have two roles!

He's Head of Academy Coaching, which I believe means he's in charge of all the coaches at U18 and below. He's also still U23s Assistant Manager.

Thanks Phill

Brent (42), yes I looked at another option, which was there all the time, tried that and on it came, so my own fault, but I am illiterate when it comes to all this modern technology, or very lazy trying anything different as my wife keeps telling me. Anyway as Jay (37) says I enjoyed what I saw of the game, and it looked like both teams used some very young players, until the Chelsea sub came on at the very end, looks like he'll be enjoying his 40th birthday party in the near future.

or very lazy trying anything different as my wife keeps telling me.

Too much information Dave ffs. 🤣🤣🤣

Brian (51), I'm a good Catholic lad, haven't got a clue what this post means Brian, you dirty filthy perverted beast, in case it means something dirty and perverted!!!

Dave I'm shocked you'd even think that. 😇

Brian (53), it never crossed my mind, whatever made you so shocked!!