Manchester City Res v Everton Res

Everton Reserves suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in their last game of the season on Tuesday.

Three second-half goals from Bulgarian forwards Valeri Bojinov (2) and Martin Petrov secured the win for the hosts - cancelling out Jose Baxter's deflected opener.

Everton attacked hard from the outset, and a harsh tackle on Kieran Agard gave the Blues their first opportunity of the game - with striker Jose Baxter pounding his effort straight at City's wall.

This triggered fierce end-to-end play giving City's Scott Kay their first chance after nine minutes, but his shot travelled high over the cross bar.

Baxter then repeated the feat for the Blues just moments later, benefiting this time from a second free-kick in Everton's favour. 

It was a confident display from first team regular Jack Rodwell, playing alongside James McCarten in the centre of defence. They ensured there were few opportunies for the hosts in the early stages.

However, that was a situation reflected at the other end of the pitch, as Everton struggled to find a way through the solid City defence.

A misdirected header from Baxter gave the Toffees a scare as the hosts gained posession, and City's Vladimir Weiss' clever footwork proved problematic for the Blues' back four shortly after.   

Captain Dan Gosling fought hard down the right wing to provide Agard with several chances, prompting some lively midfield action.
 
A confident run down the left wing from Agard allowed the youngster a shot on the half hour, but his effort flashed across the goal mouth. City's solid defending, in particular from Clayton McDonald, made Everton's chances minimal. 

It was Vladimir Weiss who provided the best chance of the half for the hosts as he fired narrowly wide as the Blues failed to clear.

A nervy few minutes ensued for Everton, but Kissock and Baxter continued to keep City's defenders busy. Energetic bursts from Martin Petrov kept Carlo Nash on his toes as the half came to a close, as both sides tried in desperation to break the deadlock before the interval.

Rodwell made way for Adam Forshaw at the break, and five minutes in City proved lively as Weiss cut in to shoot. Weiss continued to make things difficult for Nash – again firing his effort wide.  

A late challenge on Kissock by City's Ben Mee allowed Everton a free-kick, giving Andy Holden's side the boost they needed - pressure from Agard and Baxter making City's back line nervous and uncomfortable.

On the hour it was Everton who finally broke the deadlock. Baxter's cross found a path to goal taking a heavy deflection off McDonald, which sent the ball spinning home to give the Blues the lead at the expense of the City defender.

However, the Blues' advantage appeared to be short-lived when Valeri Bojinov performed a spectacular overhead kick from close range that Nash could only parry, allowing David Ball to head home for the hosts. Everton were relieved to see the offside flag.

A following effort from Hope Akpan looped wide around the far post giving Joe Hart a goal-kick, which immediately found the feet of Bojinov, who struck home from 30 yards to draw City level after 68 minutes.

And just two minutes later, a crafty interchange put the experienced Bulgarian through on goal to give the hosts a two goal lead and his second of the game. 

City then took control of proceedings, and a second spell of crafty passing allowed first-team regular Martin Petrov possession, who chipped the ball up to volley home to make it three leaving Nash stunned on his line. 

Chances fell few and far between for Everton as City continued to pile pressure on the Blues' defence and the experience of Petrov continued to shine through.    

Yet Everton gave away possession to give Bojinov another chance with just minutes on the clock, however his effort lacked power and travelled wide. 

Akpan provided a last-ditch attempt to salvage the Blues a second, but Hart collected with ease to end the Blues’ final game of the season with a disappointing and undeserved defeat.