Everton U21 0-4 Brighton - Friday 25th August 2023

Everton Under-21s were beaten 4-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion at Southport on Friday night.

Frustratingly, The Toffees were the architects of their own downfall, with a couple of individual errors leading to the first two goals.

Until they fell behind, Everton were actually the better team, albeit that for all their possession, they never really tested the visiting goalkeeper anywhere near often enough. But once Brighton went ahead, they never looked back.

There was confusion at the back for the visitors in the ninth minute when goalkeeper Killian Cahill picked up a Noel Atom back pass. The indirect free-kick from 12-yards was touched into the path of Jenson Metcalfe but his low drive was blocked by the 'keeper.

Some of Everton’s passing play was easy on the eye and there was no shortage of crosses into the penalty area but the cutting edge was missing.

It was the Seagulls who created the best opening of the first half hour when some fine trickery from Benicio Baker-Boaitey provided Mark O’Mahony with a chance that he should have done better with it. The Brighton striker scuffed his effort harmlessly wide from a good position.

Jamie Mullins the curled an effort wide for the visitors and at the other end, Cahill comfortably saved a low drive from Isaac Heath.

Brighton took the lead five minutes before the break – and it was one to forget for Blues keeper, Jack Barrett. His poor clearance was pounced on by Samy Chouchane, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Five minutes into the second period Everton shot themselves in the foot again. This time it was a mistake from Bradley Moonan who allowed O’Mahony to slip the ball into the path of Mullins to convert.

Djankpata had an opportunity to reduce the arrears, but he completely missed his kick from the edge of the box after Hunt had played him in.

By and large though, Everton couldn’t replicate the territorial advantage they had in the opening period.

The third goal, from O’Mahony, came at the end of a fine Brighton move in the 74th minute and the same player prodded home a corner from close range to make it 4-0 ten minutes from time.

A disappointing night for Everton but the squad is missing at least half a dozen certain starters through injury or senior involvement.

Everton FC