Sunday 10 November 14:00 , Haig Avenue , Attendance:
 
1
1
 
HT: 1 - 1
  • KO
    • Goal!
      Harry Charsley
    15'
    45'
    • Goal!
      Billy Clarke
  • HT
    • Substitution
      Onyango
      Simms
    45'
    59'
    • Substitution
      Telford
      Jephcott
    65'
    • Yellow Card!
      Adam Randell
    • Substitution
      Charsley
      John
    74'
    75'
    • Substitution
      Clarke
      Lolas
    • Substitution
      Taylor
      Fletcher
  • FT

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David Unsworth felt Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Mike Cooper was the key factor in denying Everton Under-23s victory after a 1-1 draw in their Premier League Cup group match at Southport.

Everton took a 15th-minute lead through Harry Charsley and, although Plymouth levelled before the break, the hosts had enough chances to win comfortably but for a string of fine saves from Cooper.

“The keeper’s had a fantastic afternoon and he’ll sleep well tonight,” said Unsworth. “It was an inspired performance and I thought it was a good game.

“If I am nit-picking, I thought we maybe could have been better in the final third because we created enough opportunities to win a couple of games and our keeper hasn’t had a save to make.

“The boys didn’t do a lot wrong today. The hardest thing to do in football is create and score goals but we’ve created today and their keeper has made four or five fantastic saves.”

Nathangelo Markelo’s early shot was deflected narrowly wide and that set the tone for the opening period. Everton dominated possession and Charsley’s 15th minute goal looked to open the floodgates.

Matthew Foulds fed Oumar Niasse inside the box and when the striker’s effort landed at the feet of Charsley inside the six-yard box, he tapped it home.

Just before the half-hour mark, Cooper made a quality save to deny Niasse after the striker had played an exquisite one-two with Dennis Adeniran and, moments later, the keeper did it again to push away a fierce header from Charsley.

Cooper saved his best until just before the break. He did well to stop a Niasse shot and then did even better to recover and turn away the follow-up drive from Charsley.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Everton fell to a sucker-punch. Foulds upended Billy Clarke inside the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Clarke picked himself up to score.

The second half was all Everton, with the midfield duo of Beni Baningime and Markelo controlling the game.

“Beni’s performances since he’s been back in the team have been superb and he was the best player on the pitch today,” Unsworth said. “His profile is increasing, his fitness levels are better and he’s getting back to the levels that I know he is capable of.

“I am delighted with Nathangelo, too, he’s found a nice partnership with Beni. There were plenty of positives to take from today - and some things to work on.”

Despite Everton’s dominance, Cooper just wouldn’t be beaten. 

Kyle John came off the bench with 20 minutes to go and almost immediately jinked his way into the box and fired the ball towards the top corner, only for Cooper to make another good save.

Then the keeper stood his ground to keep out an effort from another substitute Ellis Simms.

Ryan Astley thought he’d won it for Everton with a terrific header that was arrowing its way into the net before that man Cooper acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.

It means Everton – holders of the Premier League Cup – have one point from their opening two group matches ahead of their next game in the competition at home to Watford on Monday 2 December at Southport, 7pm.

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