Martinez latest: Business as usual for Everton managerBlues boss runs the rule over youngsters at U21s gameIt was business as usual for Everton manager Roberto Martinez as he took his normal seat in the Goodison Park stands to watch the club’s Under-21s side’s 3-1 victory over Leicester City.
The Blues boss’ future has come under great scrutiny over the past 48 hours following a last-gasp FA Cup semi-final defeat coming hot on the heels of a 4-0 thrashing to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.
The brace of painful losses for Evertonians extends the side’s winless streak to seven matches and leaves the Catalan as the bookies favourite to be the next Premier League manager to go.
However, Martinez appeared to have a determined expression on his face as he engrossed himself in the action at Goodison, slumped back in his seat at times as he ran the rule over several of the youngsters he might choose to blood in the final four fixtures of the season.
On the pitch, Kieran Dowell netted a memorable hat-trick, opening the scoring early on with a beautifully executed chip before finishing off a fine passing move from the Blues on 26 minutes for his second of the game.
David Unsworth’s side were in full control of the fixture but the visitors got a slice of luck on the stroke of half-time as Michael Cain’s deflected effort looped over Mateusz Hewelt to give them a lift going into the interval.
The Blues had to soak up pressure from the Foxes in the early stages of the second half but Dowell completed his hat-trick and with it confirmed the three points when he curled an effort into the top corner on 77 minutes.
Everton went into the game against the Foxes looking to make it four straight victories - and Unsworth’s side got off to the ideal start within the opening 10 minutes.
Dowell picked up the ball in midfield and spotted the goalkeeper of his line before perfectly chipping home to add to his growing list of eye-catching goals this season.
The young Blues continued to put the visitors under pressure following the opener, with Dowell and Callum Connolly going close with efforts from outside the box.
But it wouldn’t be long before they doubled their advantage and it was a goal of the highest standard with Dowell applying the finishing touch to a sweeping counter-attack.
Undoubtedly, Everton were in full control of the game but the visitors found the back of the net in fortuitous circumstances seconds before the break as Cain’s deflected shot found its way into the back of the net.
The visitors then emerged from the break and controlled the opening 15 minutes of the second half but the Blues defence managed to see out the spell of pressure and nearly added a third themselves when Antony Evans came close to providing the final touch on another flowing breakaway.
Tony Hibbert made way for Calum Dyson as the right-back completed another 65 minutes for the Under-21s and that change saw Evans take up a deeper role just behind the striker.
Just minutes later, the tactical shift nearly paid dividends as the young attacker picked up the ball deep in midfield before curling an effort just inches wide of the post.
But, it was only fitting that Dowell would be the one to confirm the three points for the Blues and it would be hard to choose which of his three goals was the best, such was the standard of all three of his efforts.
The Ormskirk-born midfielder managed to create a yard of space for himself before curling brilliantly curling past City keeper Ben Hamer and into the top corner to complete a memorable night for the youngster.
Next up for the young Blues is their final league game of the season - away to Chelsea - next Monday (May 2).
Everton Under-21s: Hewelt, Hibbert (Dyson, 65), Foulds (Holgate, 72), Davies, Pennington, Connolly, Jones, Williams, Evans (Baningime, 79), Dowell, Charsley.
Unused substitutes: Gray, Feeney.
Leicester City U21s: Hamer, Watson, Chilwell, L. Moore, Johnson, E. Moore, Dodoo, Cain, Muskwe, Baines, Rowe.
Unused substitutes: Maddison, Miles, Pascanu, Mitchell, Ndukwu.
Liv Echo
