Everton u-21s edged closer to drop after harsh Southampton defeatDavid Unsworth's young Blues now have two games to avoid relegation
Everton Under-21s' fight to stave off relegation was dealt a blow after they sank to a 1-0 defeat in Sunderland.
Duncan Watmore’s 63rd-minute goal proved the difference as David Unsworth ’s side remained 11th in the league table, one point behind Fulham who also lost earlier on Monday 3-1 at Chelsea.
The Young Blues have two fixtures left to play – one more than the Cottagers – as they look to get the points that will see them move above the Londoners in the standings and secure top division football in the Under-21s Premier League next season.
Everton travelled to the North-East without David Henen, whose ankle injury suffered in the mini-derby against Liverpool has brought a premature end to his season. Calum Dyson replaced the Belgian forward in the starting line-up.
Sunderland, who had former England defender Wes Brown in their team, started the brightest and George Honeyman was particularly sharp for the home side in the early stages.
The midfielder had two decent opportunities before the break. He dragged an effort fractionally wide of the post with 15 minutes played and he was again off-target with a drive from distance later in the half.
Targetman Mikael Mandron also fired into the side-netting as Blues goalkeeper Russell Griffiths was kept on his toes without having to make a save of note prior to the interval.
Everton grew into the game as the first half progressed. Harry Charsley was unlucky to see a powerful shot from 14 yards out charged down and strong penalty appeals for handball against Sunderland left-back Tom Robson were waved away by the referee.
No breakthrough despite continued efforts
The Toffees carried that momentum into the second half. George Green – back following his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers – had replaced Sam Byrne on 40 minutes and he drilled a 25-yard free-kick over the bar shortly after the restart.
It was Sunderland, however, who broke the deadlock on 63 minutes. After blazing over from close-range, Watmore made the most of his next opportunity by finding the net with a low finish that beat Griffiths’ dive.
Everton’s response to the setback was encouraging and the lively Green almost replied instantly with an arrowing left-footed drive which skidded narrowly wide of the post.
But they couldn't find a way through and must now pick themselves up for a trip to West Ham.
Everton Under-21s have two matches remaining in the season – away at the Hammers on Friday night and at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday May 18.
Everton : Griffiths, Kenny, Robinson, Ledson, Browning, Galloway, Jones, Williams, Dyson, Charsley, Byrne (Green 40). (Subs not used: Hunt, Connolly, Langton, Bainbridge).
Sunderland : Pickford, J Robson, T Robson, Agnew (Greenwood 9), Brown (Casey 46), Beadling, Gooch, Smith, Honeyman, Watmore (Blinco 90), Mandron (Subs not used: Burke, Nelson).
