Leandro Rodriguez scored his second goal in as many matches but Everton Under-21s were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland.The Uruguayan striker, who netted on his debut against Preston North End a week earlier, put the Young Blues ahead in just the fourth minute with a crisp low shot.
However, Duncan Watmore hit a late equaliser to earn the visitors a point.
Blues midfielders Leon Osman and Darron Gibson made their comebacks from injury on a rainy evening at Goodison, playing the full game and 75 minutes respectively.
There was also a run-out for goalkeeper Joel Robles whose only first-team appearance so far this season was at Barnsley in the Capital One Cup last month.
Rodriguez broke the deadlock with the game’s first opening. The 22-year-old beat the offside trap, collected Osman’s perfectly-timed pass and finished low into the bottom corner from a tight angle.
Conor Grant then went close twice in quick succession as David Unsworth’s side looked to extend their advantage having made a positive start.
Everton then had to dig deep defensively as Sunderland started to offer more in attack. Watmore was the visitors’ most lively player and on two occasions he shot narrowly wide.
Blues keeper Robles also made a couple of excellent saves, firstly sprawling in front of Lynden Gooch and then beating away winger Charis Mavrias’s fierce drive.
It was end to end in the first period and defender Mason Holgate was unlucky to see a glancing header narrowly miss the target.
Watmore wasted Sunderland’s best opening of the half moments before the break, seizing on a defensive lapse and over-confidently chipping wide with just Robles to beat.
There was less goalmouth action after the restart with both teams cancelling each other out.
It was looking like Everton had done enough to secure all three points but Watmore pounced from close-range with 10 minutes remaining to get Sunderland back level.
There was still time for a decent chance to fall the way of substitute Gethin Jones but he could not get enough on his far post effort.
The 1-1 draw means Everton Under-21s are now five matches unbeaten, heading into their meeting with Manchester United in a week’s time.
Everton: Robles, Holgate, Pennington, Browning, Connolly, Henen (Walsh 83), Gibson (Jones 75), Osman, Williams (Dyson 81), Rodriguez, Grant. (Subs not used: Hewelt, Ledson)
Sunderland: Mannone, J Robson, T Robson, Brown, Roberge, Mavrias, Agnew, Smith (E Robson 70), Watmore (McEvoy 84), Gooch, Greenwood (Subs not used: Stryjek, Brady, Blinco)
