Jenson Metcalf’s late winner helped Everton Under-21s secure a remarkable 4-3 win on Friday evening in Premier League 2 action against Leicester City at Southport’s Haig Avenue.
Silko Thomas put the away side ahead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after he was brought down by Blues’ defender Edward Jones. Paul Tait’s side responded three minutes later through a Reece Welch header before Charlie Whitaker’s close-range effort fired the Blues in front.
The visitors turned the game on its head in the second half when half-time substitute Jaiden Joseph drew the game level before a second penalty of the game for the away was converted by Henry Cartwright with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Again, the Toffees bounced back within minutes, this time with a penalty of their own converted by Whitaker to grab his second of the evening. Then, in the 88th minute, Metcalfe ghosted unmarked into the box to fire home a winner and complete a fine comeback for Tait’s side.
The Everton manager made three changes to the side that beat league-leaders Tottenham Hotspur last time out, with Billy Crellin, Katia Kouyate and Harrison Armstrong returning to the side in the place of Fraser Barnsley, Omari Benjamin and Francis Okoronkwo.
The Foxes started the brighter of the two sides and tested Crellin for the first time in the 15th minute as Cartwright drilled an effort from 20 yards out that was well held by the Everton shot-stopper.
He was undone five minutes later though as Thomas dusted himself down and calmly converted the spot kick he won following the coming together with Jones.
The Blues responded superbly as Welch rose highest to head home a Lewis Warrington corner and were then ahead in the 29th minute. Whitaker produced a purposeful run down the right before dribbling into the box and finding Metcalfe, his resulting shot bounced off the post and into the path of the Blues No.7 who fired the ball home superbly.
Everton piled pressure on late in the half chasing a crucial third goal, but the away side defended well and kept the deficit to just a goal at the half-time break.
The hosts were made to pay for that just after the hour mark when Joseph produced a great solo effort to make the game all square again. Warrington was penalised for a handball 20 minutes later handing Cartwright the chance to fire Leicester back into the lead, and he obliged.
Another penalty was awarded three minutes later, this time in Everton’s favour when Leicester captain Joe Wormleighton brought down Whitaker who was proving to be a constant thorn in the side of the away team.
He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to set up what proved to be a grandstand finish. Kyle John drove down Everton’s right before cutting the ball back to the unmarked Metcalfe to slot the ball home with just two minutes of regular time remaining, securing the win in what was a real seven-goal thriller.
Everton will look to make it four successive wins when they welcome Wolves to Finch Farm on Friday 15th March, 2pm kick-off (GMT).
By Ella Percy
