[History of Everton Reserves]
Everton's Under-21s largely represent the end product of the once renowned Everton Academy at Finch Farm which is a Category A Elite Development entity under the current Premier League/FA rules and has produced a number of lower-league players who have proved unable to break into the Blues' first team. Since 2016, they play in the FA Premier League 2, which adopts a new format for the 2023-24 season.
The U21s would also normally competi in the Premier League Cup but that didn't happen this season. They played in the Premier League International Cup, and were one of the Premier League Development sides that entered U21 teams into the Papa John's (ne EFL) Trophy against the senior sides from EFL's League One and League Two.
Everton Under-21s split their home matches between the newly renamed 'Big Help' Stadium at Haig Avenue in Southport and Walton Hall Park this season, with some games also being played at Finch Farm.
Everton's games in the 2023-24 Liverpool Senior Cup and Lancashire Senior Cup are contested by the Under-18s, along with the FA Youth Cup too.
F denotes Friendly fixture TF denotes Friendly tournament fixture XI denotes Friendly fixture involving an Everton XI (not necessarily the first team)PL2 denotes Premier League 2 fixtures PLC denotes Premier League Cup fixturesPLIC denotes Premier League International Cup fixturesEFLT denotes EFL Trophy fixtures
FA PREMIER LEAGUE 2, 2023-24
The section below contains team details, scorers, and brief match reports for Everton Under-21 matches during the 2023-24 Season.
Starting in 2017-18, the U21 Premier League (which itself replaced the old Reserves league that stretched back to an age that pre-dated the formation of the Football League in 1888) was renamed Premier League 2. The latest changes for the new season see teams from the newly constituted 20-team PL2 only play each other once, either at home or away, based on a complicated draw. The top 16 teams go forward to a playoff stage, with the winner determined in the playoff final. There is no relegation from PL 2. Each team can field a goalkeeper over the age limit and up to three ‘over-age’ outfield players in every match.
The Average Age of PL2 squads in the 2023-24 season, as listed at Transfermarkt were:
Premier League 2; Game #1 Monday 14 August 2023 Liverpool Academy, Kirkby
Everton U21s opened the newly configured Premier League 2 season with a short trip to Kirkby where they suffered a heavy defeat to Liverpool U21s tonight.
The match kicked off at 7 pm and is set to be the only mini-derby encounter of the season unless they meet in the PL2 playoffs or in the Premier League Cup.
Paul Tait has not had all of his squad to work with over the summer months, with some players training with Sean Dyche’s Senior Team while Stanley Mills, Reece Welch, Lewis Warrington, Harry Tryer and Zan-Luk Leban have all secured loan spells for the 2023-24 season.
Tonight was the first game of highly-rated young striker Malik Mothersille. He came on as a sub for Matthew Apter, with Everton trailing by 2 goals after the break.
The match ended with the home side scoring another two goals and inflicting a heavy defeat with all three Everton teams losing their first games of the new season.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon, Butler (71' Maher), Moonan, Samuels-Smith, Metcalfe, Heath [Y:57'] (66' Djankpata), Paterson (56' Bates), Okoronkwo [Y:69'], Apter [Y:45+4'] (66' Mothersille), Kouyate. Subs not Used: Barrett.
Premier League 2; Game #2 Friday 18 August 2023Heritage Park, Stockton-on-Tees
Everton U21s travel to Teeside tonight to take on Middlesbrough in their second game of the new Premier League 2 season: kick-off at 7 pm.
A substantial number of U21 players listed by the club did not participate in last week's heavy defeat by Liverpool, which saw a relatively young squad put to the sword. It is possible that a number of these are being lined up for loan moves that will further deplete the resources available to Paul Tait.
Chelsea triallist Malik Mothersille is once again in the squad but only starts on the bench again after coming on as a sub in the mini-derby to defeat to Liverpool on Monday evening.
After going behind to two goals in the first half, Everton fought to get back into the match, pulling a goal back when Metcalfe found Okoronkwo who glanced home his header.
Mothersille replaced Jack Butler before Mackenzie Hunt equalized for Everton in added time.
Everton: Barrett, Dixon, Hunt, Astley, Moonan, Metcalfe, Djankpata [Y:56'] (58' Heath), Apter [Y:23'], Okoronkwo, Kouyate, Butler (74' Mothersille).Subs not Used: Graham, O Samuels-Smith, J Patterson.
Premier League 2; Game #3 Friday 25 August 2023 Haig Avenue, Southport
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Everton fell behind after a poor clearance was punished 5 minutes before the break. But they went further behind 5 minutes after the break.
The Chelsea trialist Malik Mothersille again came off the bench in the second half. But two more goals conceded after he came on underlined a dismal first home game of what is already looking like a difficult season for Paul Tai's youngsters.
Everton U21s: Barrett, Dixon, Hunt, Moonan, Astley, Butterfield (48' Apter), Heath [Y:26'], Metcalfe [Y:90+2'], Okoronkwo, Djankpata [Y:2'] (65' Mothersille), Kouyate (84' J Paterson).Subs not Used: Graham, Butler.
Premier League 2; Game #4 Friday 1 September 2023 Rush Green Stadium, Romford
No Malik Mothersille in the squad tonight – the trialist from Chelsea will not be signing for Everton – and only four players on the bench.
Everton took the lead after just 7 minutes through Katia Kouyate, his first goal of the season.
But three goals for the home side did for the Young Blues in the end after Ryan Astley was shown a second yellow card.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon, Moonan [Y:51'], Butler (81' O Samuels-Smith), Astley [Y:38';YR:66'], Hunt, Butterfield (73' Apter), Metcalfe, Okoronkwo, Kouyate (65' Djankpata [Y:69']), Heath.Subs not Used: Barrett.
Premier League 2; Game #5 Friday 22 September 2023 Walton Hall Park, Liverpool
Everton U21s play Norwich City U21s in Premier League 2 on Friday evening at Walton Hall Park. Jack Harrison played the first half in his quest for fitness as the Blues secured their first win of the season.
Some of the more experienced players were returning from long injury layoffs, with Luke Butterfield back in action and Eli Campbell returning to the side that was defeated in the EFL trophy at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday. And this was an opportunity for Jack Harrison to make his first appearance in an Everton shirt since joining the club on loan from Leeds Utd.
Kouyate was cut down coming into the Norwich area, leading to a penalty that Francis Okoronkwo buried into the corner. Harrison showed some lively moves and had a decent shot that flew just over before he was withdrawn at the break.
Less than a minute and Jenson Metcalfe was gifted a poor clearance by the Norwich goalkeeper which he punished with aplomb. But Norwich got one back through Charlie Wilson, former Everton Academy player.
The Blues held out despite strong pressure from the visitors to secure their first win of the season.
Everton U21s: Barrett, Dixon, Astley, Butler [Y:65'], Campbell, Onyango, Kouyate (88' Sherif), Metcalfe, Harrison (46' John (79' Moonan)), Butterfield (75' Djankpata), Okoronkwo.
Subs not Used: Barnsley.
Premier League 2; Game #6 Friday 29 September 2023 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U21s finish a busy week with a home draw against Arsenal U21s in Premier League 2 – their last match for almost a month.
They have a long break in the fixture list ahead of them before they play Athletic in the Premier League International Cup at Walton Hall Park in the last week of October.
Katia Kouyate had a tremendous opportunity to score in the first minute but he took the wrong option from close range and tried to beat the keeper high rather than slotting it low and hit the bar!
Okoronkwo had a chance too but he tried a chip rather than striking the ball with power. Metcalfe then fired in from 25 yards but a routine save for the Arsenal keeper.
Arsenal went ahead after the break but the Blues got a late goal through Bradley Moonan to secure a point.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon, Hunt, Astley (65' Moonan), Campbell, Butterfield, John (46' Heath), Onyango (80' Higgins), Okoronkwo (91' J Patterson), Metcalfe, Kouyate.
Subs not Used: Barrett.
Premier League 2; Game #7 Sunday 29 October 2023 Newcastle United Academy, Tyneside
Everton U21s are on the road to the Newcastle United Academy on Tyneside today as they take on the Geordies in their 7th Premier League 2 fixture, kicking off at 1 pm — the same time as the senior side at the London Stadium.
It's been a pretty rotten season for Paul Tait's charges as well so far this season, with the young Blues on a similar record to the senior team: 1 win and 2 draws in their first 6 games.
Everton went behind to a penalty scored in added time before the break and could do nothing to change the scoreline.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, John (52' Butler), Astley, Campbell, Metcalfe [Y:24'], Djankpata, J Patterson, Okoronkwo, McAllister (67' Sherif), Heath [Y:34'] (73' Bates).
Premier League 2; Game #8 Saturday 4 November 2023 Sports Village, Leigh
Everton U21s travel to Leigh Sports Village where they lost to Manchester Utd U21s in Premier League 2; kick-off is at 12 noon.
Only four players on the bench for the Blues but Seamus Coleman made his first public runout since sustaining a serious knee injury against Leicester City last season. Everton went behind early on and gave up a second goal on the half-hour mark.
Coleman came off at half-time and Everton pulled a goal back through Sean McAllister after the break but the home side scored a third before the end to consign Paul Tait's side to another defeat.
Everton: Barnsley, Coleman (46' Dixon), Butler, Astley, Campbell, Metcalfe, Heath, Djankpata [Y:29'] (46' Barker [Y:78']), Okoronkwo, McAllister (82' Sherif), Hunt.
Premier League 2; Game #9 Monday 4 dECember 2023 Finch Farm, Halewood
Everton's Under-21 fixture against Southampton was originally scheduled to be played at Haig Avenue, Southport, this evening but has now been switched to Finch Farm.
The Premier League 2 fixture is Everton's 9th of the season and Paul Tait's young side sit in 24th place out of 26, having secured only one win so far this season – a narrow 2 - 1 win over Norwich City back in September.
It was a pretty strong side that ran out at Finch Farm, with Andre Gomes making his first competitive outing of the season after suffering with an injury upon his return off loan at Lille last season. Virginia, Dobbin and Hunt, who were all on the bench at the City Ground yesterday, all started.
Lewis Dobbin slotted in the first. Kyle John stole the ball and was fouled for a penalty, taken by Francis Okoronkwo,
The third saw Dixon cross in well for a simple finish by Okoronkwo. Sean McAllister pounced on a loose ball and tormented the Saints keeper before he shot into the net for the fourth. And Djankpata was fouled for a second penalty enabling Okoronkwo to complete his hat-trick from the spot.
Everton: Virginia, Dixon, Hunt, Astley (80' Jones), Campbell, Metcalfe [Y:52'], John (76' Beaumont-Clark), Gomes (62' Djankpata), Okoronkwo [Y:62'], McAllister [Y:89'], Dobbin (80' Heath).
Premier League 2; Game #10 Saturday 16 December 2023 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U21s lost to West Brom in their Premier League 2 game against West Brom at Haig Avenue in Southport tonight.
There was a suggestion that Dele Alli would play tonight but he is not in the starting line-up or on the incomplete 4-man bench. However, Andre Gomes starts again in his bid for match fitness.
Everton scored first through Martin Sherif. But the lead lasted less than a minute and the young Baggies followed that a few minutes later with the go-ahead goal.
Gomes came off at half-time, with the visitors later getting a third to seal the win.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, John, Astley, Jones [Y:33'] (61' Moonan), McAllister, Beaumont-Clark, Gomes [Y:38'] (46' Bates), Sherif (46' Morgan), Djankpata, Heath.
Premier League 2; Game #11 Monday 29 January 2024 Finch Farm, Halewood
A sublime solo run from Sean McAllister helped Everton secure a point in Premier League 2, as the young Blues drew 1-1 with Manchester City on Monday evening at Finch Farm.
The Blues went behind on 20 minutes but Sean McAllister restored parity with his brilliant individual effort on 54 minutes.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, John, Welch, Campbell, Bates (77' Jones), Djankpata [Y:90+5'], Apter [Y:47'] (60' Whitaker), Kouyate (60' Higgins), McAllister (57' Armstrong), Heath.
Subs not Used: G Pickford.
Premier League 2; Game #12 Friday 9 February 2024 Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, Warwickshire
Everton U21s lost to Aston Villa tonight in Premier League 2 at their Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.
The lineup featured new signing, 19-year-old Kingsford Boakye, the Ghanaian winger who was briefly with AC Milan, wearing Number 11.
Everton went behind to an early goal inside 10 minutes but Halid Djankpata put them level soon after the break. Despite six yellow cards for the home side, they were able to score what would be the winning goal on 69 minutes.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, John, Welch, Jones (68' Moonan), Metcalfe, Kouyate, Djankpata [Y:80'], Whitaker (46' Bates), Heath (46' Higgins), Boakye (90+1' Armstrong).
Premier League 2; Game #13 Monday 19 February 2024 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U21s were narrowly beaten by Nottingham Forest in their Premier League 2 encounter at Southport's Big Help Stadium on Monday night.
Two goals for the visitors in the first half put them on the back foot before Harrison Armstrong clawed one back on the stroke of half-time. But it was not enough.
Everton U21s: Crellin, John, Hunt, Jones, Welch, Warrington (59' Heath), Djankpata, Metcalfe, Kouyate, Whitaker [Y:38'] (59' Okoronkwo), Armstrong.
Subs not Used: Barnsley, Moonan, Bates.
Premier League 2; Game #14 Saturday 2 March 2024 Tottengham Hotspur Training Ground, London
Everton U21s pulled off a fantastic win over PL2 leaders Spurs this afternoon at their training ground after the game was switched from Stevenage due to a waterlogged pitch.
With all 26 Category A Development teams in Premier League 2 now listed in one big table, Everton were languishing in 25th place, somewhat surprisingly above bottom-placed Manchester City, who normally put in a strong showing at Academy level.
Everton had won 2 and drawn 3 of their previous 13 games so far, and faced perhaps their biggest challenge this afternoon. The lineup featured a new name, trialist 18-year-old Welsh forward Omari Benjamin, whose family hails from Barbados; he has been on the books of Arsenal's academy.
Spurs took an early lead after Okoronkwo had to be substituted in the 2nd minute after sustaining a hamstring injury, but Tyler Onyango put the Blues back on level terms before the half-time break.
And in the second half, as Spurs had their goalkeeper dismissed on the hour for denying a goalscoring opportunity, new boy Omari Benjamin scored Everton's second 10 minutes later to secure an unimaginable win at the home of the PL2 leaders.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Onyango (66' Armstrong), Hunt, Welch, Jones, Warrington, Whitaker (46' Djankpata [Y:87']), Metcalfe, Okoronkwo (2' Kouyate), John, Benjamin (74' Heath).
Premier League 2; Game #15 Friday 8 March 2024 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U21s secured a fine win with the best of seven goals against Leicester City at the Big Help Stadium in Southport this evening.
The Young Foxes took the lead on 20 minutes but Reece Welch got the Blues back into it 3 minutes later, before Charlie Whitaker made it 2-1 going into the break.
The visitors came back strongly in the second half going into the head with 2 goals and less than 10 minutes left when Whitaker converted a penalty to tie the game at 3-3.
Minutes later, Jenson Metcalfe got the winner with 2 minutes left of normal time.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Onyango [Y:47'], Hunt, Welch, Jones, Warrington, Whitaker, John, Kouyate, Metcalfe [Y:52'] (90+5' Djankpata), Armstrong (73' Barker).
Subs not Used: Barnsley, Moonan, Heath.
Premier League 2; Game #16 Friday 15 March 2024 Finch Farm, Halewood
Everton U21s lost their Premier League 2 match-up with Wolves at Finch Farm this afternoon after falling behind to an early goal from the visitors on just 11 minutes.
The visitors added a second goal to seal the win after the hour mark.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, John, Welch, Jones, Djankpata [Y:45'], Whitaker, Onyango [Y:77'], Kouyate (80' Heath), Metcalfe, Armstrong (80' Ebere).
Subs not Used: G Pickford, O Samuels-Smith, Barker.
Premier League 2; Game #17 Monday 8 April 2024 VBS Community Stadium, Sutton
Everton U21s ended up in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace in tonight's Premier League 2 clash.
The two teams will meet again next week in the semi-final of the Premier League International Cup.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon [Y:90+2'], Hunt [Y:45'], Welch, Onyango, Warrington, John [Y:40'] (76' Barker), Butterfield (46' Djankpata), Kouyate, Metcalfe, Whitaker (82' Armstrong).
Subs not Used: Barnsley, Jones.
Premier League 2; Game #18 Friday 12 April 2024 Haig Avenue, Southport
Arnaut Danjuma played the full game but could do little to help Everton U21s overcome a determined Blackburn Rovers side in Southport tonight.
The youngsters huffed and puffed without creating much threat, but allowing the visitors to get stronger and stronger until they walked the ball into the Everton net for the first goal.
But Everton responded in fine style, Tyler Onyango putting in a great run down the right side and cutting inside to feed Charlie Whitaker who smashed it into the roof of the net to make it 1-1 at the break.
But the Rovers continued to look dangerous and drilled home a second goal after the hour mark. Everton tried to respond but Metcalfe's driven free-kick was parried away.
But 10 minutes from the end, Katia Koutyate was put through and managed to prod it past the goalkeeper despite him getting a strong hand to it that saw the ball bobble over the goalline.
Jack Tierney came on for his first appearance of the season, presumably after being out with a serious injury for many months. But a poor clearance from Welch was volleyed into the top corner for Blackburn to take all the points, with Arnaut Danjuma playing the full 90 minutes.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, John (84' Tierney), Welch [Y:67'], Onyango (66' Jones), Metcalfe [Y:41'], Whitaker (66' Beaumont-Clark), Armstrong, Kouyate, Danjuma, Djankpata [Y:24'] (90+1' Bates).
Premier League 2; Game #19 Monday 22 April 2024 Leeds United Academy, Leeds
Everton U21s took home a point from their visit to the Leeds Utd Academy on Monday night in Premier League 2.
Katia Kouyate got the first goal of the game when he drove his way to the byeline and squeezed in a fine finish from the narrowest of angles.
Not to be outdone, the home side scored a similar goal just before the break, and that's how it stayed to the end.
Kingsford Boyake came off the bench for only his second appearance since joining the Blues 2 months ago.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Dixon, Hunt, Welch, Onyango, Butterfield (77' Jones), John (76' Boyake), Armstrong, Whitaker, Metcalfe, Kouyate (68' Catesby).
Subs not Used: Barnsley, Tierney.
Premier League 2; Game #20 Sunday 29 April 2024 Pride Park, Derby
Lewis Dobbin played more than an hour for Everton Under-21s this evening but couldn't prevent the Blues' second string ending their season with a 3-0 defeat to Derby County.
Dobbin had been out of action since mid-March with an ankle injury sustained in training but took the next step towards regaining full fitness with a 68-minute run-out at Pride Park.
Everton, with three players who were on the bench for the senior side on Saturday in the line-up in the form of Lewis Warrington, Jenson Metcalfe and Mackenzie Hunt, fell behind after 18 minutes.
They were trying to get back into the contest in the second half when the Rams' U21s scored again in the 73rd and 76th minutes to put the game to bed.
The result means that Everton's U21s finished second from bottom in Premier League 2, a point above Derby.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Dixon, Hunt, Welch, Onyango [Y:45'], Butterfield (69' John), Kouyate (84' Catesby), Warrington, Whitaker, Metcalfe, Dobbin (69' Boakye).
2014-15 saw the introduction of The Premier League International Cup with invited European sides competing in a four-group tournament. IN 2023-24, the format was changed to three groups of eight, Everton only playing the four continental sides at home
Premier League International Cup; Group C, Game #1 Wednesday 22 November 2023 Walton Hall Park, Walton
Michael Keane, Seamus Coleman, Ben Godfrey and Lewis Dobbin all start for Everton U21s in their Premier League International Cup match against European competition in the shape of Athletic Club Bilbao U21s tonight at Walton Hall Park.
Lewis Dobbin opened the scoring with an excellent first-time finish into the bottom corner from Sean McAllister's precision setup after great work by Francis Okoronkwo on the right wing.
And that's how it finished with all the senior players putting in a full shift.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Coleman, Campbell, Godfrey, Keane, Metcalfe, Heath (63' Dixon), Djankpata (66' Bates), Okoronkwo, McAllister, Dobbin.
Subs not Used: Barrett, Butler, Beaumont-Clark, Sherif, Morgan.
Premier League International Cup; Group C, Game #2 Tuesday 28 November 2023 Walton Hall Park, Walton
Everton's Under-21s recovered from giving up a two-goal lead before running out 4-2 winners over Monaco Under-21s in the Premier League International Cup at Walton Hall Park this evening.
The Toffees got off to an ideal start when Francis Okoronkwo's shot was saved but Sean McAllister turned home the rebound in only the second minute.
The same combination led to the second with half an hour gone as Kyle John found Okoronkwo who in turn centred for McAllister to convert and make it 2-0.
McAllister spurned a good chance to complete his hat-trick early in the second half when he fired wide of goal and Lewis Dobbin cleared the crossbar with an effort while the visitors threatened at the other end but Billy Crellin was equal to Michal's volley before Etonde's shot from close range was deflected behind.
Monaco eventually scored with 15 minutes left through Etonde and it was 2-2 almost immediately when Benama found the net.
But Everton restored their lead in the 82nd minute when Mackenzie Hunt's corner sailed directly into the net and 4 minutes after that Okoronkwo made sure.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon, John (82' Bates), Astley, Campbell, Hunt, Djankpata (73' Beaumont-Clark), Metcalfe, Okoronkwo (88' Heath), McAllister (88' Sherif), Dobbin.
Subs not Used: Barrett, Samuels-Smith.
Premier League International Cup; Group C, Game #3 Tuesday 19 December 2023 Haig Avenue, Southport
Everton U21s played out a goalless draw in their third Premier League International Cup game of Group C, their last game of the year, against Feyenoord on Tuesday night, as the senior team took on Fulham at Goodison Park.
André Gomes played the full 90 minutes as he continues to regain full fitness, while Lewis Dobbin, Mackenzie Hunt and Jenson Metcalfe were all on Sean Dyche's bench for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham at Goodison Park.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon [Y:28'], John [Y:61'], Astley, Campbell, Bates (67' Beaumont-Clark), Djankpata, Gomes, Morgan (79' Apter), McAllister, Heath (87' Armstrong).
Subs not Used: Barrett, Moonan, Jones, Van Schoor.
Premier League International Cup; Group C, Game #4 Wednesday 24 January 2024 Walton Hall Park, Walton
Paul Tait's charges carried on their unbeaten run in the Premier League International Cup with a narrow victory over the Portuguese side Benfica Under-21s at Walton Hall Park.
Reece Welch, who was recalled from a season-long loan at Forest Green Rovers earlier this month, starts the game along with Youssef Chermiti, Lewis Dobbin from the first team squad along with Ashley Young, as an allowed over-age player making his first appearance after a long period of recovery from a knee injury.
The visitors dominated the early game and went ahead but Sean McAllister got the home side on the scoresheet when his powerful low shot appeared to be cleared off the line but was signalled by the linesman to have crossed the line.
Just a few minutes later, Yousseff Chermiti pounced on to a loose ball in defence and drove it through the goalkeeper's legs. Everton continued to press and Dobbin was fouled for a penalty but the youngster drove the spot-kick over the bar.
Everton kept the pressure up for much of the first half after that but could not get the third goal.
The second half was a difficult watch with the Everton goal under almost constant siege but it proved to be a fine defensive display with the visitors unable to score and Everton progressing through to the quarterfinals after finishing 2nd in Group C.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Young (76' Whitaker), Hunt, Welch [Y:88'], Campbell, Metcalfe, John, Djankpata [Y:64'] (76' Kouyate), Chermiti, Dobbin, McAllister.
Premier League International Cup; Quarter-Final Monday 26 February 2024 Walton Hall Park, Walton
Everton U21s come back strongly to beat Fulham this evening at Walton Hall Park and reach the Premier League International Cup semi-finals after falling behind in the first half.
Michael Keane and Yousseff Chermiti came into the home side at Walton Hall Park for some rare game-time, while Francis Okoronkwo continued his return from an injury that had kept him out for the last 3 months.
Very soon after the half-time restart, Michael Keane jumped high to head in an Everton corner for the equalizer. Everton went ahead through a penalty when Whitaker was fouled and Chermiti made no mistake from the spot.
And Chermiti followed that with a goal from open play when his shot was too strong for the keeper as it rolled over the line. But discipline slipped in the last few minutes as first Whitaker and then Chermitti were shown second yellow cards for kicking the ball away and Everton finished the game with 9 men.
Everton: Barnsley, J Patterson [Y37'], Hunt, Welch [Y:63'], Keane, Warrington (81' Djankpata), Whitaker [Y:41'; YR:84'], Metcalfe (81' Butterfield), Chermiti [Y:87'; YR:94'], Armstrong (66' Onyango [Y:78']), Okoronkwo (62' Kouyate).
Subs not Used: G Pickford, Heath, Jones.
Premier League International Cup; Semi-Final Tuesday 16 April 2024 Selhurst Park, Croydon
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.
Everton did not enter the 2023-24 Premier League Cup.
Everton U21s were drawn against Burton Albion (League One) with Doncaster Rovers and Mansfield Town (League Two) in North Group H of the EFL Trophy for 2023-24.
EFL Trophy; Group H, Game #1 Tuesday 19 September 2023 Mazuma Stadium, Morecambe
Paul Tait gave an indication that Eli Campbell would be back in for the first time this season after returning from injury.
It was boys against men but Everton held their own for most of the first half, suffering a few scares. They gave away a soft goal in the second half when the ball screwed off Moonan's foot into the path of a Doncaster forward. Before the end, the Blues were cut apart on a short-corner routine for Doncaster's second goal.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon, Moonan, Campbell (70' Apter), Hunt, Butterfield (70' Bates), Kouyate, Heath (61' J Patterson), Djankpata (70' Butler), Metcalfe, Okoronkwo (61' Sherif).Subs not Used: Barrett, O Samuels-Smith.
EFL Trophy; Group H, Game #2 Tuesday 26 September 2023 Pirelli Stadium, Burton
Everton U21s are on the road this evening but lost to League One Burton Albion's first team at the Pirelli Stadium in the EFL Trophy.
The young Blues struggled to score in their last group game at Doncaster Rovers, and will need to start winning if they are to emulate last season's feat of topping their group.
Burton were well up for this one and took the lead after just 8 minutes. They got their second after 20 minutes with a simple header with much of the game being played in Everton's half.
Everton slowly improved, Koyate seeing a great close-range header saved by an equally good save low to the giant keeper's right. Kouyate got to shoot a couple more times but could not beat the Jolly Red Giant in the Burton goal.
Everton U21s: Crellin, Dixon, Astley, Campbell, Hunt, Onyango (84' J Patterson), Metcalfe [Y:77'], Butterfield (64' Moonan), Kouyate, Okoronkwo, Sherif (57' Djankpata [[Y:68']).
Subs not Used: Barrett, Butler, Heath, Beaumont-Clark.
EFL Trophy; Group H, Game #3 Tuesday 7 November 2023 One Call Stadium, Mansfield
Everton U21s bowed out of EFL Trophy for this season despite beating Mansfield Town of League Two at the One Call Stadium.
Having already lost both matches against Doncaster Rovers and Burton Albion, they sit bottom of Northern Group H and will not be progressing to the knock-out stages but it provides another opportunity for Seamus Coleman to ramp up his recovery from a serious knee injury sustained last season.
With a slew of U21 players missing, Paul Tait has been able to call upon other fringe players from the first-team squad to make up the numbers and give them a competitive runout, including Joao Virginia, Lewis Dobbin and Youssef Chermiti.
It was an even contest in the first half with no goals at the break. There were some decent chances for Metcalfe, Dobbin and Okoronkwo. A quick breakaway near the end saw Dixon set up Barker who skied his shot from 6 yards as neither team seemed to want penalties.
From a late Everton throw-in in the last minute, after he was pulled down, Yousseff Chermiti stood up to power home from the spot. Virginia had to make a tremendous save in added time.
Everton U21s: Virginia, Coleman (66' Dixon), Astley, John [Y:70'] (73' Barker (88' Heath)), Campbell, Hunt, Dobbin, Djankpata (66' McAllister), Metcalfe, Okoronkwo, Chermiti [Y:73'].
Subs not Used: Barrett, Butler, Sherif.
Pre-season friendly; Game #1 Tuesday 19 July 2023 The New Lawn, Nailsworth
Everton U21s pre-season friendly at Forest Green Rovers ended in a 1-0 defeat this evening.
Mason Holgate skippered the Blues line-up, which was made up predominantly of Academy players, and played the first 45 minutes against the League Two outfit.
Forest Green started with seven trialists in their team and so keen were they to protect their identity, they were identified as ‘Trialist A’ through 'Trialist G'.
Everton U21s: Leban, Maher, Butler, Holgate, Moonan, Metcalfe, Beaumont-Clark, Bates, Sherif, Apter, Heath.
Subs: Barrett, Higgins, Davis, O Samuels-Smith, Patterson, Armstrong, Finney, Thomas, Van Schoor, Foster.
Pre-season friendly; Game #2 Saturday 22 July 2023 Prenton Park, Birkenhead
An Everton XI made up of mostly Under-21 players travelled to Prenton Park this afternoon for a run-out against Tranmere Rovers that ended in a draw.
This match featured mostly players from the Under-21s while the available first-team squad were involved in the senior side's second pre-season fixture that kicked off simultaneously at the DW Stadium against Wigan Athletic.
Everton received an advance allocation of 1,700 tickets for visiting fans that went on sale earlier this week.
With Sean Dyche at Prenton Park to watch the youngsters, it is very much a topline Under-21 teamsheet with last season's loanees in addition to Holgate from the first-team squad.
A very limited 6-man subs bench with two more goalkeepers named.
The home side took the lead after the break but Stanley Mills equalized from the penalty spot 5 minutes before the end.
Everton XI: Virginia, Higgins, Hunt, Holgate, Astley, Warrington, Kouyate, Onyango, Okoronkwo, Mills, Dobbin.Subs: Crellin, Barrett, Heath, Sherif, Apter, Moonan.
Pre-season friendly; Game #4 Wednesday 26 July 2023 Glasgow
On Wednesday afternoon, a very young Everton U21s side were defeated by Glasgow Rangers B team that included a number of more experienced players.
The starting line-up included a selection of players who weren't involved against Bolton on Tuesday in Everton's third pre-season friendly for the first team, which ended as a goalless draw.
A new name appeared as a sub to goalkeeper Billy Crellin at some point in the second half: Fraser Barnsley.
Everton U21s: Crellin (Barnsley), Dixon, Butler, Astley, Moonan, Metcalfe, Beaumont-Clarke, Bates, Sherif, Apter, Heath.Subs: O Samuels-Smith, Maher, Van Schoor, Armstrong, Thomas, Finney, Foster.
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