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Post by Everton News. on Feb 16, 2020 22:50:18 GMT
Everton Under-18s boss Paul Tait was disappointed in his side's performance - albeit in challenging conditions - as they fell to a 4-1 defeat at Derby County.
Tom Cannon's 13th-minute opener gave the young Blues a much-deserved advantage but the Rams hit back immediately through Archie Brown, before Max Bardell gave the hosts a half-time lead.
Two more goals after the break completed Derby's victory, keeping Everton third in the Under-18 Premier League North table.
"We got outmuscled and outfought in really difficult conditions but we knew that was going to be the case and it was the same for Derby," Tait told evertonfc.com.
"They dealt with the conditions better, got in our faces, won the ball back and ultimately won the game.
"It is the first time in a long time that we have been wanting in terms of our desire and character to compete in a football match, and I think Derby did all of those things.
"It wasn't pretty, it was a tough game and we were looking for players to be resilient, show some fight, grit, determination, and Derby did that."
Despite the grey skies, Everton started brightly in Derbyshire. Rhys Hughes won – and took - a free-kick just outside the hosts' 18-yard area but the Blues captain couldn't direct his curling effort on target.
Tait’s side were pressing from the front and, when the tactic caught the Rams napping on 13 minutes, striker Cannon was on hand to make the breakthrough.
However, in what quickly became an end to end contest, the visitors were unable to hold on to their lead.
In fact, just four minutes later, Brown drove a spot-kick past goalkeeper Zan-Luk Leban to restore parity after Jack Rogers went down in the penalty area.
A superb stop from Leban kept the scores level in the 32nd minute, the Everton stopper palming away Liam Thompson's long-range strike.
Nevertheless, Derby soon completed the turnaround, Bardell nodding home from close range following a sustained spell of Rams pressure.
Despite the setback, Everton continued to assert their presence. Another great passage of play created space for Hughes to let fly and this time he forced a strong stop from the hosts' goalkeeper.
Kicking against the wind in the second half, Everton couldn't sustain any pressure and Derby extended their lead on 55 minutes when Stretton swept in following a scramble inside the penalty area.
And, 11 minutes later, Tyree Wilson drove a left-footed effort past Leban to complete the scoring.
Everton Under-18s are next in action when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday 22 February.
Everton FC
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