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Post by Everton News. on Apr 21, 2017 10:42:39 GMT
Unsworth Not Underestimating ChelseaUnder-23s preparing as normal, despite young Blues being one win away from glory.David Unsworth has urged his Under-23 squad to simply play the game and not the occasion when they travel to fifth-placed Chelsea on Friday night. Heading into the fixture at at Aldershot’s Recreational Ground, the young Blues are just one win away from securing the Premier League 2 title. But Unsworth and assistant coach John Ebbrell have reiterated to the players that they must approach the game as normal, despite being within touching distance of securing the championship crown. Everton have won their last two league matches against Derby County and Tottenham Hotspur, putting them five points clear at the summit with just games against Chelsea and Liverpool remaining. “That’s what John and I have tried to do for the last couple of weeks - you can’t get ahead of yourself in this game because it can come back to bite you,” said Unsworth. “We’ve just got to concentrate on the performance and put out the best team we can to try and win the game. “The lads have been playing well. We’ve changed things around at half-time in a couple of games so we need to start better on Friday. We are looking for a quick start. We are happy with the performances lately and have been scoring a lot of goals. “It will be a tough game and I’ve got a lot of respect for Chelsea over the last few years with producing top young talent. I know their manager [Adrian Viveash] - he’s a good guy and he’ll have them organised. “Whatever team Chelsea put out, we are expecting a really tough game. We would never underestimate our opponents.” In the 4-1 win over Spurs at Goodison Park last week, Muhamed Besic stepped up his comeback from a cruciate knee ligament injury by playing the first half. It has been confirmed that the Bosnian will again play for the Under-23s on Friday evening. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Ronald Koeman said: “Mo will play his second game for the Under-23s. He is working hard. He is close to being back.”
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Post by rugbytoffee on Apr 21, 2017 18:01:26 GMT
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Post by rugbytoffee on Apr 21, 2017 20:59:58 GMT
Everton's Premier League 2 title celebrations are on ice after they were held to a draw in a thrilling game with Chelsea.
The under-23s knew a win at the EBB Stadium in Aldershot, in their penultimate game of the season, would clinch the championship ahead of Manchester City. But the Blues must now wait to be crowned title winners after this 2-2 draw in which they came up against an inspired Mitchell Beeney in the home goal. Everton's point now gives them a six point lead over City, who next face Liverpool on Monday knowing they must win to keep their slender title hopes alive. Failure to do so and David Unsworth's side, who also have a superior goal difference, will be champions. Watched by chairman Bill Kenwright, Everton's youngsters looked on course for glory after deservedly taking a 2-1 lead early in the second-half but Chelsea levelled the game to set up a rollercoaster last half an hour. In time added-on, Blues captain Jonjoe Kenny thought he had won the game – and the championship – but his goal-bound header was tipped over by Beeney. Everton were level 1-1 at the break – and it was the very least their performance had warranted. Ike Ugbo opened the scoring for Chelsea after 15 minutes but the Blues had dominated the game. Bassala Sambou fired over, headed wide and was twice denied by Beeney. Beni Baningime clipped the bar, Jonjoe Kenny shot just over the target, Harry Charsley was inches away from connecting with a Sambou cross before Mo Besic was foiled by another Beeney save But they found themselves trailing. Yet Everton's persistence paid off after 27 minutes - and included a deserved slice of fortune. Charsley won the ball back high in Everton's half and sent Sambou clean through on goal. The teenager's shot was again saved by Beeney but the rebound fell to the striker and he tapped into an empty net to make it 1-1. Everton emerged strongly at the start of the second-half and took the lead for the first time in the game, 10 minutes after the re-start. Liam Walsh, who had gone close on two occasions just moments earlier, met Jonjoe Kenny's pull-back and with the aid of a deflection put the ball past Beeney. However, the Blues' lead lasted only until the hour mark when Ugbo struck his second of the game, firing low from the edge of the area and squeezing a shot past the dive of Mateusz Hewelt. The game became increasingly tense as both sides probed for a winner. Chelsea were enjoying their best spell of possession in the game but Everton remained threatening and thought they had scored when Sambou connected with Kenny's cross in the area. But the forward's diving header was clawed away brilliantly by Beeney. Unsworth introduced David Henen with around 10 minutes left in the hope of finding a title winning goal and in the dying moments thought his side had clinched it. Kenny rose highest to meet Kieran Dowell's corenr but Beeney pushed the header over the bar. Everton must now wait for their coronation.
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tellmema
Monster Midfielder
Posts: 1,398
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Post by tellmema on Apr 21, 2017 23:37:41 GMT
They were the better team but the Chelsea GK played well.
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Post by Everton News. on Apr 22, 2017 13:47:33 GMT
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