[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 adopted a new single league format for the 2023-24 season, comprising all 26 elite cllubs.
The U21s also compete in the Premier League Cup. They played in the Premier League International Cup, and were one of the Premier League Development sides that entered U21 teams into the Bristol Street Motors (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, 2024-255
The section below contains team details, scorers, and brief match reports for Everton Under-21 matches during the 2024-25 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 26-team PL2 only play each other once, either at home or away, based on a complicated draw. The 16 teams finishing in the upper part of the PL2 table go on to the play0offs in a 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 2024-25 season, as listed at Transfermarkt were:
Premier League 2; Game #1 Friday 16 August 2024 Big Help Stadium, Southport
Everton U21s kick off the new Premier League 2 season tonight with a very good win over Blackburn Rovers at Southport's Big Help Stadium.
Everton had a more youthful look to their team with Callum Bates, Jacob Beaumont-Clark and Martin Sherif stepping up to this level after impressing for the Toffees' Under-18s side last season.
Paul Tait did not have the talents of Harrison Armstrong, Jenson Metcalfe, or Elijah Campbell to call upon, suggesting they may have been further upgraded to the senior squad for attendance on the subs bench at Goodison Park and the opening Premier League game of the season against Brighton tomorrow.
But there was a first sighting of new talent William Tamen, the 18-year-old centre-back signed from Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee last week. He joined Omari Benjamin the other new face in this squad, although Kingsford Boakye was not involved.
Everton U21s just played a Blackburn side last week as part of their pre-season preparation but came out on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline, so were well motivated to seek some revenge this evening.
And Everton got off to a great start, Roman Dixon breaking down the right and pulling the ball back for Isaac Heath to plant an excellent finish past the Rovers keeper inside 3 minutes.
George Pickford in goal for Everton had to make three good saves to make sure the Blues kept their early lead before Everton scored again after 16 minutes, a cross from Roman Dixon eluding everyone including the Rovers keeper, Jack Barrett, formerly with the Everton Academy.
Everton did well until just before the break when a heavy deflection wrong-footed Pickford, who was finally beaten.
Everton came under the cosh in the second half but finally sealed the win in added time when Omari Benjamin slipped the ball through to Martin Sherif who finished superbly.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Dixon, Butler, Tamen, Welch [Y:59'], Butterfield, Heath, Djankpata (63' Bates), Okoronkwo (72' Beaumont-Clark), Whitaker (72' Sherif), Benjamin (90+4' Samuels-Smith).
Subs not Used: Barnsley.
Premier League 2; Game #2 Friday 23 August 2024 Kingsmeadow,
Everton U21s travelled to Kingsmeadow where they took on Chelsea this evening in PL2 and came within a whisker of their third win.
Despite heavy pressure from the home side, who hit the woodwork twice in the first half, it was Everton who took the lead almost on the hour mark through Issac Heath.
Everton U21s looked like they would notch up their third win in as many games but in the 5th minute of added time, George Pickford was finally beaten in the Everton goal.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Tamen (75; O Samuels-Smith), Butler, Welch, Campbell, Butterfield, Heath (74' Djankpata), Bates, Sherif, Okoronkwo (61' Whitaker), Benjamin [Y:27'] (88' Beaumont-Clark).
Premier League 2; Game #3 Sunday 1 September 2024 City Academy, Manchester
Everton Under-21s came unstuck at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon after Charlie Whitaker was sent off at the end of the first half and the remaining 10 men didn't stand a chance.
The team featured Jamaal Baptiste, who is on trial.
Early on, George Pickford did well to save a well-struck angled shot from former Everton youngster Emilio Lawrence, who then should have scored midway through the first-half.
But Pickford the Younger could do little to stop the home side scoring twice before the break.
Things got worse for Everton in first-half added time when Whitaker was sent-off. He had already been booked for a foul and was shown a second yellow for an alleged dive inside the City penalty area.
City scored 3 more in the second half against the 10 men of Everton.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Dixon, Baptiste, Welch, Butler (81' O Samuels-Smith), Butterfield (68' J Patterson), Armstrong, Heath, Whitaker [Y:??;YR:90+?'], Benjamin (81' Barker), Sherif, (45' Bates).
Premier League 2; Game #4 Friday 22 September 2024 Big Help Stadium, Southport
Jarrad Branthwaite played the whole game and Nathan Patterson completed an hour after lining up for Everton's Under-21s against Sunderland for their Premier League 2 clash on Sunday afternoon.
Both senior players were able to use a game that turned into a real ding-dong seven-goal battle to make significant progress along the path of recovery to match fitness after operations have seen them both sidelined for months.
Branthwaite, in particular, has been a huge miss in the first team's defence and the fact that he came through 90 minutes will come as a massive boon to Sean Dyche and his team as they prepare for back-to-back home games against Crystal Palace and Newcastle before the next international break.
Patterson, meanwhile, can add a much-needed option at right-back where Seamus Coleman's season has already been disrupted by injury, Roman Dixon has been overlooked in the past two Premier League games on the grounds of his inexperience and Ashley Young has been needed on the other side of defence to cover for Vitalii Mykolenko's illness.
It's not clear yet whether either player will be deemed ready to play any part against Palace next weekend — Branthwaite would appear to have the stronger case — but it would be realistic to expect them both to be ready for the clash with the Magpies, assuming they continue to feel no reaction in training.
For today's U21s game, Paul Tait did not have Harrison Armstrong or Dixon at his disposal after both travelled with the senior squad to Leicester City, a situation that is likely to continue while Dyche's options are limited by injury.
Everton had to play catch-up as Sunderland twice took the lead, with Omari Benjamin equalising first inside two minutes, then Charlie Whitaker levelling after the break with a penalty when Sunderland had scored again just before half-time.
Everton took the lead when Benjamin scored his second but this time Sunderland came back to make it 3-3.
The scoring was not over, however, as substitute Jack Butler popped up with the crucial winner just a couple of minutes from the end.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, N Patterson (61' Butler), Heath, Samuels-Smith, Branthwaite, Moonan, Benjamin, Butterfield [Y:37'], Sherif (18' Barker), Bates, (82' J Patterson [Y:90+4']), Whitaker (82' Beaumont-Clark)
Subs not Used: Barnsley
Premier League 2; Game #5 Monday 30 September 2024 Finch Farm, Halewood
Everton U21s drew their second match in a week 3-3, this time against Reading in Premier League 2 at Finch Farm on Monday night.
Everton Under-21s surrendered a three-goal lead in the last 20 minutes of an incredible Premier League 2 encounter with Reading to draw 3-3 at Finch Farm.
Nathan Patterson played for just over an hour in a game that was scheduled to be played at Southport but was switched owing to the weather-affected pitch on the coast.
The conditions at Finch Farm were also challenging – swirling wind and constant driving rain making things difficult for both sets of players.
For the opening goal on 18 minutes, Charlie Whitaker picked up the ball on the right of the Reading box and picked his spot in the far corner to give the goalkeeper no chance.
The second came from a corner that wasn’t efficiently cleared, Patterson floating a lovely cross to the far post where Harrison Armstrong climbed highest to power home a header.
When Omari Benjamin was brought down in the box, Charlie Whitaker stepped forward and coolly clipped a Panenka-style penalty past the keeper to give the Young Blues what should have been an unassailable lead.
They were cruising to a win when a Reading sub came on and scored two goals! Armstrong was shown a straight red card for a late challenge in the 90th minute and then in added time, the Reading substitute completed his hat-trick to deny Everton 2 of their 3 points.
Everton U21s: G Pickford, N Patterson (61' Samuels-Smith), Heath, Thomas, Tierney, Dixon, Whitaker, Butterfield, Sherif (69' Barker), Armstrong [R:89'], Benjamin.
Subs not Used: Barnsley, Bates, Beaumont-Clark.
Premier League 2; Game #6 Friday 4 October 2024 Aggborough Stadium,
Everton U21s were well beaten at the Aggborough Stadium on Friday night when taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League 2.
Nathan Patterson featured again, playing at right-back in place of Roman Dixon, as he builds up his match fitness after being sidelined for most of the past 6 months.
The Young Blues fell behind after 20 minutes, Leban unable to stop a header. And they went further behind after Patterson gave away a dangerous free-kick which was far too easily converted.
Things didn't improve in the second half when Wolves increased their lead inside 30 seconds – another shocking goal to give up! And Jack Butler lasted just 3 minutes as a second-half sub.
After an unstoppable fourth goal, Everton finally hit back through Charlie Whitaker who also grabbed a second consolation at the death.
Everton U21s: Leban, N Patterson [Y:23'], Heath, Samuels-Smith, Tierney, Thomas (46' Butler (51' Barker)), Beaumont-Clark, Butterfield [Y:16'], Benjamin (88' Morgan), Bates (79' J Patterson), Whitaker.
Premier League 2; Game #7 Saturday 26 October 2024 Liverpool Academy, Halewood
Everton U21s won this Premier League 2 mini-derby with two goals from Omari Benjamin.
Everton U21s: Leban, Dixon, Samuels-Smith, Tierney, Thomas (90' Moonan), Butterfield, Beaumont-Clark (75' Apter), Bates, Benjamin, Whitaker (84' J Patterson), Heath.
Subs not Used: Barnsley, Barker.
Premier League 2; Game #8 Saturday 2 November 2024 Big Help Stadium, Southport
Everton U21s came back to win well against Stoke City on Saturday in a midday Premier League 2 fixture at the Big Help Stadium in Southport.
Roman Dixon is in the U21 team again despite more injuries for Sean Dyche's first-team squad but the visitors took an early lead inside 5 minutes.
Everton were level after 18 minutes when Charlie Whitaker danced through and slotted into the bottom right corner of the Stoke City goal. And they had a much better second half, with goals from Aled Thomas, Brian Moonan, and Jacob Beaumont-Clark adding a 4h in stoppage time.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, Samuels-Smith, Moonan, Thomas, J Patterson [Y:43'] (63' Apter), Barker, (45' Benjamin), Bates (64' Beaumont-Clark), Morgan, (63' Butterfield), Whitaker, Heath.
Subs not Used: Tierney.
EFL Trophy; Group H, Game #1 Tuesday 20 August 2024 Prenton Park, Birkenhead
Everton U21s made the short trip across the Mersey to Prenton Park for tonight's EFL Trophy clash against the League Two side, where they went behind early until the last 8 minutes, when they finally scored 3 goals.
First-teamers Jesper Lindstrøm, Beto and Joao Virginia have all been given starting places in the U21s team to add minutes to their pre-season preparations with Sean Dyche watching on from the stands.
Josh Davison put the hosts ahead after 18 minutes, converting a cut-back from near the byline.
Everton had numerous chances that were spurned until the 86th minute when Beto finally managed to convert one, equalizing to set up a penalty shootout.
Martin Sherif pounced on a loose ball, fired onto the post and rebounding across the face of the Tranmere goal.
But Lindstrom then played in Beto, where he seemed to have gone too wide but he turned and fired into the far side of the goal for the winner in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
But Everton weren't done yet, with Beto driving through for Martin Sherif to convert on the line, giving the Young Blues a fine win in the end when it looked for a long period like they would never score.
Everton U21s: Virginia, Dixon, Tamen, Welch, Campbell (65' Butler), Lindstrøm, Armstrong (79' Butterfield), Metcalfe, Whitaker [Y:54'] (65' Sherif), Beto, Okoronkwo (78' Benjamin).
Subs not Used: G Pickford, Heath, Bates.
EFL Trophy; Group H, Game #2 Tuesday 17 September 2024 Edgeley Park, Stockport
Everton's Under-21s are back in action this evening when they play Stockport County in Northern Section Group A of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy at Edgeley Park.
Down by two goals at half-time as a result of poor defending, this very young Everton side was weakened by having a handful of players sat on the bench as used subs as the first team went out of the Carabao Cup on penalties to Southampton.
Omari Benjamin scored Everton's consolation goal after 83 minutes and was then replaced by Braiden Graham.
Everton: Leban, Heath (83' Finney), Butler (63' Van Schoor), Samuels-Smith [Y:15'], Tierney, Thomas, Bates, J Patterson (63' Foster [Y:67']), Whitaker, Beaumont-Clark (63' Catesby), Benjamin (83' Graham)
Subs not Used: G Pickford, Loney.
The competition has been expanded to 36 teams this season, with nine groups of four teams each playing the other group members home and away to determine who progresses to the Round of 16. Fulham U21s are the cup holders, with Everton U21s having played in the Premier League International Cup last season, with Everton playing Watford, Ipswich Town and Cardiff City in Group F.
Premier League Cup; Group F, Game #1 Friday 13 September 2024 Walton Hall Park, Everton
Everton U21s left it very late after falling behind to Watford U21s this evening in their Premier League Cup Group F encounter at Walton Hall Park, to score two goals right at the end.
Roman Dixon and Harrison Armstrong not playing in this one, and no doubt important members of the senior squad for tomorrow's senior game at Aston Villa. A lot of other familiar names now missing — Welch, Campbell, Metcalfe, Tyrer, Leban, Onyango, Okoronkwo, Crellin — all out on loan, with Halid Djankpata, Liam Higgins, and Matthew Mallon having departed this parish. While a number of young names have been elevated from the Under-18s.
There were few chances created by either side in a goalless first half. Omari Benjamin came on at the break and came closest to scoring when his shot smashed off the face of the Watford bar.
But the visitors went ahead when Pickford was beaten on the hour mark. But it looked like Everton had to score after great work by Catesby who crossed for Benjamin screaming in on goal but a defender somehow got the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score.
And on a subsequent corner, Harvey Foster tucked the ball home at the far post to equalize in the last minute.
And to cap things off, after excellent work from Omari Benjamin, Jacob Beaumont-Clark skipped around the goalkeeper and blasted the ball into the roof of the Watford net to win the game in the last minute of stoppage time for a fine Blues victory!
Everton U21s: G Pickford, Finney [Y:], Van Schoor (72' Butler), O Samuels-Smith, Tierney, Thomas [Y:], Beaumont-Clark, J Patterson, Sherif (46' Benjamin), Bates (63' Foster), Barker (63' Catesby).
Subs not Used: Lukjanciks.
Premier League Cup; Group F, Game #2 Thursday 26 September 2024 Ecologic Stadium, Bloomfields
Everton U21s saw Ipswich Town comeback to equalize three times on Thursday evening in their second Premier League Cup game in Group F at the Ecologic Stadium, Bloomfields.
After Barnsley produced a fantastic save to keep the home side at bay, Everton took advantage of them trying to play out from the back, Martin Sherif poaching the opening goal.
The home side were affronted and came at Everton with vigour, finally succeeding to equalize after half-an-hour, but an excellent strike from Jacob Beaumont-Clark restored Everton's lead.
But this time the Ipswich Town response came less than 2 minutes later, and they went off all square at the break.
It continued to be a hard-fought contest after the break and Everton regained the advantage when Butterfield played in Martin Sherif for his second goal. But the home side responded in kind with another quick equaliser and that's how it ended.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Moonan (62' Apter), Butler (62' Van Schoor), Thomas [Y:], Tierney, Butterfield (70' Bates), Samuels-Smith, J Patterson, Sherif (62' Morgan), Barker, Beaumont-Clark.
Subs not Used: G Pickford.
Premier League Cup; Group F, Game #3 Friday 8 November 2024 Walton Hall Park, Everton
Everton U21s eventually surrendered a 2-goal lead to Cardiff City U21s in the Premier League Cup this Friday evening at Walton Hall Park.
Official Everton Members who can't get to the game can watch a live stream of the match, which kicks off at 7 pm GMT.
Cardiff City lead Group F ahead of Everton on goal difference after both sides have played two games against the other sides in the group, Ipswich and Watford. Teams play each other home and away in all of the nine groups with group winners and the seven best-performing 2nd-place teams going through to the Round of 16.
No real surprises in the line-up but only 4 subs on the Everton bench. The home side took the lead first minute through Luke Butterfield on a square ball from Jacob Beaumont-Clark that he placed well past the Cardiff keeper.
Everton held that lead into the break despite some dangerous chances at the other end that tested Fraser Barnsley in the Everton goal.
More pressure after the break was resited until Isaac Heath drew a penalty when he was fouled and Charlie Whitaker made no mistake from the penalty spot.
But Cardiff's relentless attacks finally paid off when they pulled one back with 12 minutes to go. A great tackle by Patterson was rewarded with a free-kick for Cardiff and a yellow card for the seriously miffed Everton player, made worse when the ball was bundled over the line from the free-kick for the visitors' second goal.
Everton U21s: Barnsley, Dixon, Butler (62' Samuels-Smith), Moonan, Thomas, Butterfield, Beaumont-Clark, J Patterson, Benjamin [Y:53'] (79' Tierney), Apter (62' Whitaker), Heath.
Subs: G Pickford.
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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