But Blues hopeful Belgian forward will be fit for Sunderland u-21s game next week
David Henen left Goodison Park in a protective boot after hurting his ankle in Everton under-21s mini-derby defeat.But the Blues are hoping the injury is not too serious and that the on-loan Belgian teenager will be fit to feature for the second string in games with Sunderland and West Ham United next week.
Everton were level at 1-1 when Henen was withdrawn at half-time but conceded twice after the break to lose 3-1 and so missed the chance to move away from the bottom two in the Premier League u-21 table.
David Unsworth admits the Blues missed Henen’s pace and movement in the second-half but says they were punished for poor defending as Ryan Kent struck his second and Sheyi Ojo scored from the spot.
“David’s pace will always give us a threat and always give us an out-ball,” said Unsworth.
“What we tried to do was match them up in midfield and play with two strikers who have good movement and good pace.
“We were forced to make the change and we tried to play the same but when personnel is different you get a different end product.
“It was a disappointment that David couldn’t get back on for the second-half because he has been a threat for us in a lot of games.”
He added: “His ankle just wasn’t right. There is no point in risking it. This is a young player whose safety is paramount, first and foremost.
“We have two games next week and hopefully he’ll be available for those.”
Harry Charsley had given the Blues a deserved lead but three minutes after going ahead, Everton were pegged back as Kent scored his first.
The Liverpool forward then added another after the break before Ojo converted the spot-kick he won with 12 minutes remaining.
“I thought we started the first-half well and got the goal up but the goals we conceded killed us,” said Unsworth.
“The old saying ‘goals change games’ certainly applied here and when the second goal went in it knocked the stuffing out of us.
“We couldn’t raise the level again and to concede with the penalty was disappointing. You can pick the bones out of every goal you concede. We could’ve got tighter for the second one and the third one we needed to go with the runner more.
“From a defensive point of view we can do better but playing well in spells is fine but we can’t concede three goals and expect to win games, especially against Liverpool.”
Unsworth, whose side go to Sunderland on Monday before making the trip to West Ham on Friday, continued: “There are a few disappointing factors. We looked to control the game and play with two striker because we felt that would give us a threat in the game - but we didn’t threaten enough.
“That’s the biggest disappointment. In a lot of games we pass the ball well and create a lot of chances but tonight we didn’t do enough in the final third to threaten the goal.
“That is what we must take from tonight. The little details of staying with runners and getting tighter but also, when we get into the final third, we must do better.”
By Phil Kirkbride / Echo
