Everton handed Donkor injury scare

Everton handed Donkor injury scare

On-loan German forced off in U23s 1-0 defeat at Norwich

Everton have been handed an injury scare as new signing Anton Donkor was forced off the field early in the Under-23s 1-0 defeat at Norwich City in the Premier League Cup.

Barely 10 minutes had elapsed in the young Blues match at Carrow Road when the 19-year-old, on loan from Wolfsburg, went down following a foul from Diallang Jaiyesimi.

Donkor had already fashioned a good chance for Kieran Dowell by picking out the midfielder by the penalty spot but the subsequent side-footed effort went over the crossbar.

Despite a lengthy stoppage in play as Donkor received treatment, the player was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Belgian substitute David Henen.

Henen then created Everton’s best scoring opportunity of the first half half an hour into the contest as he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and beat his man but his goal-bound effort is excellently tipped around the post by home keeper Paul Jones – who at 30 is one of the Canaries over-age players.

Early in the second half, Harry Charsley went close to putting the Blues ahead with a header from Matty Foulds’ superb cross but again Jones proved the hero for the hosts as he turned the ball over the crossbar.

Norwich provided David Unsworth’s side with a warning when Louis Ramsay struck the Everton post but the visitors were boosted midway through the second period when they introduced their final substitute in the shape of Joe Williams who was making his first appearance since recovering from a serious ankle injury.

The only goal of the game came eight minutes from the end as Blues keeper Connor Hunt was unable to hold on to a free-kick from Todd Cantwell and Ebou Adams fired into the empty net.

Everton’s defeat leaves Portsmouth top of Group D on eight points, with the Blues now level with Norwich on seven points and Wolves on four points.

Their final group game is a trip to Pompey on Monday February 27.

Everton FC