Blues comeback for fine win in the FA Youth Cup at Goodison

Michael, the good news is that the game is on the Club's YouTube channel, so we will be able to watch it. I believe the bit about “ clashing with Premier League” matches only applies to U23s.

I' m looking forward to this, we don't get many opportunities to watch these youngsters, and the team selection mixing schoolboys, u18s and eligible U23s will tell us a lot of who is “ highly rated “, that oft used phrase.

That's great, Phill. Thanks for ferreting that out.

Here's the link to FA Youth Cup – Watch Live

Thanks for the nod, Phill!

So by my reckoning, Welch, Mills and Price are U23 regulars, with Campbell having been tried at that level for a few games.

U18s regulars overlooked tonite include Leban, Wright, and Jones. Youngsters also missing are Coughlan, Barker and Djankpata – but they have missed a few games now.

An experienced team named tonight, no big surprises except maybe Nash proffered in goal to Stewart.

Patrick Nash; Matt Mallon, Reece Welch, Eli Campbell, Ishe Samuels-Smith;
Jenson Metcalfe, Luke Butterfield;
Stan Mills, Isaac Price, Charlie Whitaker;
Katia Kouyate.

That's my take on a 4-2-3-1 formation, but Metcalfe and Price could swap.

Michael, I believe Leban is too old for “official” Youth Cup games.

I don't know about the opposition but that looks a strong U18 for us given the number having played U23. I hope Sherif gets time.

Showing Fulham 4 - 3 Everton from 2019...

How about that 4th goal by Bobby Carroll!

Michael (4) - Luke Butterfield also played regularly for the Under 23s at the beginning of this season, and only recently lost his starting to place with the return to fitness of Onyango. I have generally really liked what I have seen from him. Charlie Whittaker is also another Under 23 regular, and I'd be expecting him to shine tonight.

I'll be watching Isaac Price closely tonight. Lots on here seem to rate him very highly but I've never been particularly impressed. He can be neat and tidy for sure but he's been played in an advanced position of late and he very rarely seems to contribute anything meaningful in terms of goals or assists. Hopefully tonight he'll convert me into being a believer.

Will be hoping to see Sherif get some minutes off the bench. Okoronkwo too.

Two players perhaps not so well known are 15 year old Ishe Samuels-Smith, who recentry played left centre back for England u16, and 1st year Scholar Jenson Metcalfe, made his debut for the U23s as a schoolboy last season has a terrific right foot on him, and scores goals.

Uh-Oh.. Snods unplugs his mic

Initial observations. Keeper too eager to belt it down the pitch.

Uncomfortable on the ball. Keeper and team?

Play the percentage game?

Danny, they'll settle into playing it out from the back, that's what they've been trained to do.

All this shite about having all club teams play the same... I think these lads have a much better idea than farting about. Go forward, get it up the field and in the box. Great intent so far.

I can see that Phill.

Despite my earlier claim, they are playing with patience and possession.

That's fine, just when you go forward, do it with purpose and intent.

Fulham pressing well high up, will be a good test for us technically, trying to play it out from the back.

Niiiiiiiiice, slow work day. thanks for this.

Keeper error

Maybe not? At full stretch?

Oops! Totally dominant, but allowed Fulham to largely walk through us from deep.

Commentary exonerating Nash the keeper, but he needs to push the original shot wider, not back into play to the goalscorer.

Well, blow me, they are playing exactly like the first team!

Commentator and "Snods" complaining about not getting at tackle in.

I'll look at it a different way. Credit to Fulham as they had a centre back comfortable on the ball who carried forward 40 yards.

Comfortable on the ball. The clue is in the name. FootBALL.

Are you at GP, Brent?

No Jay. Chez moi.

Ah! At your French holiday home, Brent.

Fulham growing into this since taking the lead.

Close, good effort

Apologies in advance for my cynicism.

I'm a proud native of the city of Liverpool, but we have a scouser commentating alongside an ex-Everton player.

Plays to the old boys club?

World class turn from Whitaker, done the hard bit just needed to slot it past the keeper.

Some lovely bits of skill individually and good moments of link up too. Whitaker and Metcalfe look very good. Kouyate too and the 15 year old at left back looks an excellent prospect.

If it carries on like this we'll surely turn dominance into goals.

It would be harsh to take many off but Sherif on for Kouyate is an obvious one and then look at getting Lawrence and Okoronkwo on maybe play 433. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

I know nothing. Okoronkwo it is for Kouyate.

Great goal Mills.

Ooh, that was a silky pass. Gooooooooool! UTFT!!!!!

Out of nothing in a poor 2nd half, great pass by Whittaker. Cool finish by Mills.

Great ball from Whitaker, cool finish Mills.

Lovely Whittaker pass.

Hey Dale, whereabouts in Yankeeland are you?

We should ditch Beretta by the way, on quality and corporate behavior grounds.

I'm deep in the woods Santa Cruz county. South of San Francisco about an hour. Not at Chez moi.

HotDamn! Goooooooooool!! 2-1

No messing about there from Mills, bang and it's in !

Mills left foot goal.

Deflected, not complaining.

Deflected but made good space for himself.

And again Stan Mills. Good skill to create the chance, even if a tad fortunate with the deflection on the shot.

oh, damn nice counter but equally good save

Yes, the deflection gave the keeper no chance at all, it was so well struck.

Okoronkwo looks as if he's got a quick brain. Quick decision-making.

That's Big Sur country isn't it? Little pad in Monterey overlooking that fabulous coastline?

Been waiting...Stan the man ?

Baines sporting some fine rock-star locks there!

Yes Michael, if you get out to the beach on the south side of town it is a straight view to Monterey. This whole area is lovely with just enough development that it feels fully civilized.

Ha Haaaaaaaaaaaa! The worst goal I've seen given up in a cup match since David "Caveman" Seaman's against Real Zaragoza.

Silly third for us. Fulham cockup. Okoronkwo.

Thumping finish for the third goal.

Okoronkwo – 30-cm screamer!

It's not been perfect but I've enjoyed watching the younger lads passing it out from the back. Learning to think fast, use their brains and be creative with the ball. Plus they've worked hard for this win and it's well deserved.

Good chasing and tackle by Price. The lad always puts in a great shift.

Dale,

I spent some time in a little town called Los Gatos just outside San Jose not a million miles from you.

An entertaining melee to finish the night! What more do you want?

Yes Stephen, pass by there each time I go to the radio station. That's the nice thing about this area, lots of small towns each with their own vibe. Makes for good time wasting when out and about on errands.

Great, the what about that guy moment. The captain definitely waved fist, I knew he was gone.

Strewth! Heavy handbags coming out right at the death.

Bad foul by Mallon, but the Fulham lad didn't need to kick things off as he did.

Reds for both as a result probably deserved.

And what a cracker from the resulting free kick by Fulham.

Mixed bag all up.

Whew!

Fabulous entertainment and some good football.

There looks like some good prospects in that squad if they keep working hard.

Well overall a deserved win I thought. The kids never give up even when they're behind. I had Whitaker as my MotM, looks class every time he plays. Onwards to the next round.

Very impressed by the 15-year-old, Samuels-Smith. One so young.

Pat Nash looked like a lot of goalkeepers his age do, a very agile shotstopper, but not so commanding in his area yet. Although only 17 he's going to have to grow a bit more to make any impact at professional level.

Well done, young lions. Go forth and exel for Everton Football Club.

Brent. #66,

It'll be interesting to see how we look to develop Ishe Samuels-Smith. In the match I watched, France U16 v England U16, he played left centre-back, despite being No 3. He was so calm and composed playing the ball out, and at the age level he looked a decent size compared to others his age. He's speedy too when he needs to be.

Will he develop physically enough to be a centre-back or fast enough to be better at left-back is the question. In all our games though he's been a left-back, and if he develops there in 18 months time, we could have a great prospect on our hands.

Jay (62), their number eight doing a good impression of Joey Barton in that Man.City v QPR game of a few years ago and the ref trying to send the wrong man off, got all the qualities to be a future premier league official.

That 77th minute (I looked at the clock) Everton defensive defending exactly like the first team, Keystone Kops at their best, panic-stricken before they eventually got it away after about a dozen attempts.

I thought Charlie Whittaker was wasted on the wing, the young left-back and Metcalfe two very young lads looked okay to me along with Mills and the young lad from Sunderland who scored that crazy goal and had a bit of fun enjoying it.

Dale, There was a sports shop in Los Gatos just opposite the old cinema, the guy that ran it was a big blue always had a mannequin in the window with a blues shirt on.

Enjoyed that. Samuels-Smith did exceptionally well. What a calm, talented player and only 15. My man of the match. Welch, Metcalfe and Whitaker also classy performances.

First I've seen of Okoronkwo today. He's huge! Certainly got something about him though and looks mobile for his size and capable of doing something different.

Got that, Stephen. I'll stop by and see if they're still open. If so I'm going to tell him he's famous, "They talk about you on ToffeeWeb!"

Really impressed by Metcalfe, who really looks like he can do it all. He was sometimes overly ambitious in his distribution, but he carries the ball like a natural, looks pretty two-footed, and has a surprising turn of pace. Big big tick from me.

Samuels-Smith was very comfortable in possession, and looked calm throughout.

Stanley Mills and Charlie Whittaker managed to show their experience and effect the game. Mills gave the poor Fulham left-back a torrid time in the first half, and his direct running and pace were too much for Fulham. He might not be the most skilful or naturally talented player in the group, but he has that ability to make things happen - sometimes by skill, other times by brute force and determination. Good qualities to have.

Dale, Santa Cruz county, wow… can be expensive. The son of a friend of ours made a cash offer $100k over the asking price on a house there and was outbid.

I work in San Francisco, lived in the East Bay for 40 years but now in the North Bay. My connection to Everton: born in Liverpool and my dad was a Blue. Was at the games when Everton won the league in 63 and 70.

Yep Ron, it's madness unless you're in on it. I am obviously jealous of your heritage having made my way to Everton from Oklahoma. My sister barely got into a place in Sausalito and can now just ride out the gains. I fucked off too much in my 30s and 40s, I'm a renter but scored a fantastic place and the landlord is grateful so it worked out.

When the pandemic clears let's get together for a pint or two.

Stephen @ 71; that dummy in the window, was it Rondon's more mobile twin brother?