Everton Under-23s v Brighton & Hove Albion

Everton Under-23s delivered a confident and assured performance to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at Goodison Park on Monday night.

First-half efforts from Lewis Dobbin and Reece Welch put the Toffees in command and – while Brighton’s Evan Ferguson halved the deficit late in the game – David Unsworth's team saw out an impressive win to move up to eighth in the Premier League 2 table.

The young Blues came into the game on the back of a 3-2 victory over title-chasing Manchester City and started the contest brightly, with Dobbin’s direct approach troubling the Brighton backline.

The visitors began to play their way into the game and had a great chance 10 minutes in when Odel Offiah crossed for Ferguson. However, the forward could only drag his shot wide from 12 yards out.

Everton came extremely close to opening the scoring themselves just eight minutes later
Rhys Hughes and Lewis Warrington worked a slick short corner, giving Warrington space to cross in a dangerous ball. Captain Ryan Astley got on the end of the corner and his glancing header cannoned against the crossbar.

The Blues did make the breakthrough two minutes later, however, when Dobbin breezed past Brighton full-back James Furlong and smashed the ball into the far corner of the net.

Everton made it two just before the half-hour mark. Hughes’ wonderful free-kick delivery was met by Welch and the centre-back neatly headed home, leaving Brighton keeper Tom McGill with no chance.

Dobbin threatened again when a lofted pass from Jarrad Branthwaite left the forward one-on-one with the Brighton stopper – Dobbin tried to sneak the ball inside the near post but McGill smartly saved.

The Toffees started the second half strongly and Dobbin turned provider when he crossed for Tom Cannon, but the striker’s effort went just wide.

Brighton reduced the arrears on 79 minutes when Ferguson found some space from around 25 yards out and fired a shot that flew into the top left corner.

And despite some late pressure from the away team, Unsworth’s Blues held on to secure a fine victory.
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