Strong Everton Under-21 team progress to Cup semis

Paul Tait’s squad competes in the Premier League International Cup with Keane, Patterson, and Chermiti.

Paul Tait’s squad for Monday night’s Premier League International Cup match between Everton Under 21s and Fulham featured a few unexpected additions. First team players Youssef Chermiti, Nathan Patterson, and Michael Keane all received much-needed playing time as Everton finished with nine men and far less at ease than the 3-1 result indicated. Along with the first team members’ welcome return to full fitness, we also saw Tyler Onyango and Luke Butterfield, who had been sidelined due to long-term ailments, make their bench debuts, and Lewis Warrington captain the club for the second time in a row.

Do not misunderstand; the Toffees were down to nine men due to a card-happy match official who decided to issue two second-yellow cards to Blues players for kicking or tossing the ball away. A West Ham player had done the exact same thing before without receiving any punishment. There are no justifications for the immaturity or petulance displayed by Blues players; if they didn’t obey the letter of the rules whenever a foul or protest was committed, we might all be watching 5-a-side matches by the time the ninety minutes were over. Consistency is a must!

Keane, Patterson, and Chermiti each played ninety minutes; but, because of the referee, Chermiti was never able to complete the game.

In the actual encounter, the Toffees overcame an incredible Fulham goal to fight back and go to the competition’s semi-final. Halfway through the first half, the goal was scored. Callum Osmand, facing goal with Reece Welch failing to get near enough, turned and volleyed past Blues keeper Fraser Barnsley after Devan Tanton crossed from the right. Given that so many Blues players came from separate training groups, their first half performance was a little haphazard, and it was evident that they were having trouble maintaining their rhythm and flow.

Everton got off to a flawless start in the second half, with plenty of help from the starting lineup. Patterson’s low cross was narrowly deflected over the bar for a corner, and Keane soared above the rest of the field to head the ball into the far post’s net.

Even though Fulham applied a lot of pressure while the scores were tied, Everton’s second goal came from the penalty spot in the 70th minute. Whitaker, Patterson, and Metcalfe all played excellently on the right side, and when Whitaker was fouled in the box, Chermiti calmly put the penalty kick in.

It should have been “game over” when substitute Katia Kouyate missed a great opportunity to make it 3-1 after Whitaker had played him in. However, the result was effectively sealed 13 minutes from time, Chermiti once more. Substitute Onyango won possession just outside the Fulham area and played in the young Portuguese forward. His shot was too close to the goalkeeper but also too hot to handle and the ball crept over the line.

The two sendings off of Blues players made the closing minutes more tense than they should have been but Everton now join PSV Eindhoven, West Ham and Crystal Palace in the last four. Chermiti and Whitaker will both be ineligible for the semi-final. Silverware, although at a junior level, might be in sight!

Afterwards, Paul Tait reflected on a good night’s work:

We were lacking a little bit of rhythm and momentum since we had guys returning from injury and others coming down from the first squad. Without posing a danger, we had a lot of the ball.

“The performance resembled an Everton game much more in the second half. The press was far superior, and we were in the lead. From this point on, we posed a greater threat. We talked about how crucial the ten minutes following halftime were, and we completely changed the course of the game by scoring the opening goal.

“I’m not upset since it fits our season well. It would be great to make it to the final. Let’s see who makes it to the next round.

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