No luck for Everton Under-23s in big loss at Leicester

Everton Under-23s went to Leicester City’s training ground last night to take on the Foxes who started the day two places below the Blues but with a game in hand.

A 3-1 reverse might appear to tell a story that this very entertaining game was dominated by Leicester and that they were far the better side. Indeed, until the last minute of the game, David Unsworth’s men had been 3-0 down after the hour mark but clawed back a very late goal from substitute Rhys Hughes following a determined gallop down the left flank by Joe Anderson. The game was not however quite so one-sided.

In truth, Everton were undone in the first half with their right flank being targeted by Leicester’s pacey attackers, goals in the 6th and 33rd minute both exposed that Everton weakness. The Blues goalkeeper Zan Luk Leban will know he should have maybe held the shot that led to the early goal but it was an even contest in the first half with Everton creating just as many if not more clear chances that were not taken. Charlie Whitaker especially, supporting Lewis Dobbin in the two-man attack, started the game strongly but if there is a criticism, a bit like the remarks about Harry Kane at Spurs, he was too deep too often to support Dobbin effectively.

A formation change at the interval to a back four gave Everton a better attacking impetus with the introduction of the effervescent Rafa Garcia to support Dobbin. As hard as the Blues tried, luck evaded them in the opposition area, several good chances missed or blocked and perhaps best summed up by a complete miskick late on by the otherwise immaculate Ryan Astley from two yards out.

The Blues youngsters will now play their fourth game in a fortnight on Friday against Manchester United. There were some positives to take out of last night’s game, some strong individual performances and that they at least kept going to the end, exemplified by the attitude of Anderson’s pitch-length run for the last minute consolation. The Blues will surely soon have more luck and better days.