A sublime solo run from Sean McAllister helped Everton secure a point in Premier League 2, as the young Blues drew 1-1 with Manchester City on Monday evening. 

The visitors led through Kane Taylor's close-ranged finish in the first half, but McAllister restored parity with a brilliant individual effort on 54 minutes. 

Everton started well, as McAllister tested True Grant with a low effort on the turn. The forward collected the ball in a central position and shuffled the ball between his feet before firing goalward.

The first real opportunity of the game fell to the visitors on 12 minutes. A lofted corner from Jacob Wright was picked up by the Mersey winds and was met by the head of Lakyle Samuel at the back-post. The defender was denied excellently by Fraser Barnsley, who sprung into action to palm the ball away for another set-piece.

City broke the deadlock on 20 minutes through Taylor, who poked the ball home at the back-post to conclude a great move from the Manchester outfit. Justin Oboavwoduo raced down the right flank before cutting in and releasing a powerful strike at goal. His effort squirmed under the body of the outstretched Barnsley and crept towards the back-post before being tapped in by Taylor.

The visitors’ lead was almost doubled two minutes later as they threatened down the right wing this time. Josh Adam crossed low, searching for the boot of Oboavwoduo, who was inches away from extending his side’s lead.

McAllister threatened again on the half hour mark, whisking a free-kick just wide of the post after good work from Hajid Djankpata saw the winger bundled over 25-yards-out.

Matthew Apter set his sights at goal and forced Grant into a save on 53 minutes. The Blues had kept the ball well prior to the attempt on goal and were almost rewarded for their tidy build-up play.

McAllister equalised less than sixty seconds later with his sixth of the season. The forward drove at goal and breached the City area, where he pulled the trigger and released a powerful strike that rifled into the back of the net to level the tie.

The visitors pushed for a winner as the second half went on, with Joel Ndala coming close on 79 minutes. The left-winger’s goalbound strike was blocked at the last second, preventing a certain goal.

Another chance fell the way of Ndala with seven minutes remaining. Played in down the left, the 17-year-old opened up his body and attempted to curl the ball around Barnsley. He failed to connect though, squandering a golden opportunity to secure all three points.

The barrage of City attacks continued, with two consecutive efforts at goal narrowly missing the target with four minutes left on the clock. Oboavwoduo saw a venomous shot saved at the near-post, whilst Michel Okeke smashed the ball into the side-netting from a good position down the right.

A strong save from Grant in the second minute of injury time prevented the Blues from stealing the points late on. The ‘keeper palmed away a header from Reece Welch after the defender rose highest from an enticing corner.

After three minutes of additional time, the referee blew his whistle as Paul Tait's side secured a valuable point.

Up next for Everton Under-21s is a trip to face Aston Villa Under-21s on Friday 9 February.

By Ross Hughes