U21s report: Everton 1-2 Arsenal

Mehmet Ali’s under-21s made it four games unbeaten with an impressive 2-1 victory away to Everton on Friday night.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji marked his Premier League 2 return with a first half brace which put us firmly in control at half-time.

Everton got a goal back three minutes into the second half through Aled Thomas and continued to push for an equaliser.

But despite missing the chance to double our lead when Khayon Edwards’ penalty was saved, we held out to take all three points on Merseyside.

What happened

Everton had more of the ball in the first 15 minutes, but our young Gunners were clinical, scoring from the first opportunity of the game.

Salah Oulad M’Hand picked out Nathan Butler-Oyedeji who found a pocket of space in a crowded penalty area to slot the ball into the back of the net.

After taking the lead we took control of proceedings, dominating possession but struggling to break down a resilient Toffees defence.

Lucas Nygaard did have a save to make five minutes before half-time, getting down quickly to deny Martin Sherif.

This proved crucial as we doubled our lead just three minutes later, Butler-Oyedeji keeping his composure to capitalise on a mistake from Everton goalkeeper Zan Luk Leban.

The hosts started the second half quickly and just three minutes after the break, Aled Thomas got his side back in the game, converting from a corner.

We had a chance to add a third 15 minutes later when Andre Harriman-Annous was fouled in the penalty area, but Leban saved Khayon Edwards’ effort from 12 yards.

Everton continued to push for an equaliser, but we held out for three points at The Big Help Stadium. 

What It Means

The win puts us on 29 points from our 17 games in Premier League 2, with three regular season games to play in the division.

What’s Next

Several of our under-21s will represent their national teams over the next ten days at various youth levels.

Mehmet Ali’s side return to Premier League 2 action on Monday, March 31 with a trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm (UK time). 

Line-Ups

Everton XI: Leban, Dixon, Samuels-Smith, Tamen, Welch, Thomas, Benjamin, Patterson, Sherif, Gomez, Graham

Subs (not used): Barnsley, van Schoor, Butterfield, Barker, Ebere

Arsenal XI: Nygaard, Rosiak, Washington (Nichols, 82), Salmon, Sweet, Henry-Francis, Kabia (Kamara, 73), Gower, Harriman-Annous, Salah, Butler-Oyedeji (Edwards, 45)

Subs (not used): Okonkwo, Oulad M’Hand