Everton U21s lose out on a place in the Premier League International Cup Final

Crystal Palace U21s 4 - 2 Everton U21s [90+3']

Everton U21s travelled to Selhurst Park tonight for a semi-final clash in the Premier League International Cup, but were unable to get through to the Final where they would have faced PSV Eindhoven, last year's winners.

Mackenzie Hunt and Lewis Warrington join the squad after training with the first team, while Luke Butterfield continues to step up his return from a long-term injury, while striker Francis Okoronkwo remains sidelined. But Youssef Chermiti and Charlie Whitaker are suspended for tonight’s game. 

Everton had two tremendous chances to score after 17 minutes when Dixon controlled a beautiful crossfield pass and delivered a cross which first fell to Kouyate, who miskicked it horribly, and it spun off to Hunt who also miscued, with the goal just yards away. 

The best chances fell to the home side in the first side, all spurned until almost the end of added time when they got behind the Everton backline and drilled it past Crellin to open the scoring.

And just a few minutes after the restart, an Everton attack broke down and Palace countered with a simple move and a fine finish. 

But Jenson Metcalfe rather fortuitously got Everton back into the game after the hour-mark when he bobbled a low cross through the crowded Palace area and into the far corner of the goal with nobody getting a touch on it. At the other end, Crellin had to pull off a vital save with his feet on a move almost identical to the second Palace goal. 

But a quick break down the right side saw Palace score a third that gave Everton a mountain to climb in the final 20 minutes. A great shot by Metcalfe required a fine save before Tyler Onyango skied a great chance set up by fine work from young Joel Catesby.

Jenson Metcalfe was tackled running into the Palace penalty area and it was given as a penalty, that Metcalfe himself lashed home, with 5 minutes left. 

With Everton stretched trying to force an equalizer, Palace were able to counter and score a winning fourth goal to stop Everton going to the Final. 

Everton U21s:  Crellin, Dixon, John, Welch, Onyango [Y:90'], Warrington, Armstrong [Y:46'], Butterfield (55' Djankpata), Kouyate (79' Catesby), Metcalfe, Hunt.

Subs not Used:  Barnsley, Jones, Tierney, Bates, J Patterson. 

 

• Live Video Stream for Official Members

---

---

Reader Comments (3)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

---

How to get rid of these ads and support TW