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Post by Everton News. on Sept 30, 2023 8:20:03 GMT
Bradley Moonan’s first Everton Under-21s goal earned the young Blues a Premier League 2 point in a 1-1 against Arsenal on Friday evening.
Jimi Gower broke the deadlock on 56 minutes with a deflected strike before substitute Moonan headed home an equaliser six minutes from time to split the points.
After picking up a first league win of the 2023/24 campaign last Friday at home to Norwich City, Paul Tait’s side started extremely brightly but were left to rue a number of missed chances.
The first came with just 40 seconds on the clock when Katia Kouyate seized upon a loose Arsenal pass inside the area but lashed his left-footed strike against the crossbar.
Minutes later Francis Okoronkwo stole possession deep inside the Gunners’ half but failed to get his shot away after driving into the box.
Jenson Metcalfe then stung the palms of Arsenal stopper Ovie Ejeheri from 25 yards with just six minutes on the clock.
Everton continued to dominate the bulk of the opening period but almost fell behind on 38 minutes when Gower turned inside the box and flashed a left-footed strike just wide of Billy Crellin’s goal.
The Gunners were much improved after the break and took the lead shortly before the hour mark when Gower’s strike took a fortunate deflection off Ryan Astley’s back to leave Crellin stranded.
The Toffees fought back with Isaac Heath, who saw his strike blocked, before Moonan couldn’t quite stretch far enough to guide Okoronkwo’s glanced header home.
However, Moonan remained a threat from set pieces and bravely threw himself at Metcalfe’s in-swinging corner in the 84th minute to head home and earn a point for his side.
On the point earned, boss Tait said: "I thought our pressing was brilliant and we deserved to score one or two goals early on but, in football, if you don't take your chances you can get punished.
"The boys showed character to respond to going behind to get back into it, though, and we deserved a winner. It was a really good team performance.
"The lads have played a lot of football in recent days. The subs played their part and I'm delighted for Brad to come off the bench and grab his first Under-21s goal."
The young Toffees are next in action at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday 25 October in the Premier League International Cup against Athletic Club.
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Sept 30, 2023 8:20:13 GMT
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