Late Benjamin Goal Secures Deserved Point For Under-21s

A superb late equaliser from Omari Benjamin secured a deserved 1-1 draw for Everton's Under-21s away at Crystal Palace in Premier League 2.

Benjamin's turn past the last man and chipped finish ensured a share of the spoils for Dave Hughes' side, who had gone behind to Seb Williams' goal early in the second half but always looked threatening and could have won it late on.

Academy graduate Tom Davies also featured for the Under-21s, coming on as a second-half substitute as the Academy continues to support the midfielder with his fitness while he looks to secure a professional contract elsewhere.

Four changes were made from the side that defeated Tamworth 3-2 in the National League Cup in midweek. Ezra Carrington returned to the starting XI at left-back with Melvin Matos slotting into central midfield, while Under-18s players John Dodds and Harry Brookes were both given starts in central defence and attacking midfield respectively.

Chances were at somewhat of a premium in the early stages although the Toffees were working the ball nicely in possession. In the 10th minute Brookes burst into the box after striker Ceiran Loney won possession back in the final third, but as he fired at goal Brookes saw his effort blocked by a last-ditch sliding challenge from Palace captain George King.

The danger man for Palace looked to be Dean Benamar and the winger twice sent efforts at goal in the first half, drilling one effort narrowly wide in the 18th minute before forcing a fine stop from Toffees keeper Fraser Barnsley eight minutes later.

Everton responded well with Braiden Graham curling one effort high and wide from 18 yards and skipper Will Tamen heading narrowly wide from a corner on the stroke of half-time, while Palace rattled the crossbar through Amaari Sealey's effort.

The period immediately after the restart gave a hint as to how the second half would play out. Palace immediately got on the attack but could not find a way to goal, and the Toffees countered superbly as a result, with Loney being played through one-on-one only for keeper Lucca Benetton to produce an excellent stop to deny the Scottish youth international.

That lifted Palace and shortly after he had seen a flicked effort from eight yards fly wide of the far post, Williams made no mistake with his second effort just past the hour, poking the ball past Barnsley after King's flick-on into the box split the defence.

King would then rattle the woodwork five minutes later as Palace looked for a second goal, but the Toffees defended manfully and gradually began to take control of the game. Substitute Jonathan Nsangou thought he had won a penalty in the 77th minute when he was brought down after surging into the box from the right channel, but the referee gave a free kick on the edge and Benjamin headed wide from Graham's delivery.

But there was still time for an equaliser and it duly came with five minutes of regular time to play. Luis Gardner stepped out from centre-back and played an arrowed forward pass to Benjamin, who flicked the ball with the outside of his foot around King before racing onto it and into the box.

King and Benetton both tried to challenge the Everton man but it was no use – Benjamin dinked the ball eloquently over the on-rushing goalkeeper and it nestled in the back of the net.

If either side was going to win it late on, it looked more likely to be the Toffees, who sent a series of deliveries into the box but could not find that final shot on goal, and the points were shared in South London.

Speaking after the game, Head of Academy Player Development Dave Hughes told evertonfc.com: "We felt (we deserved a point at least). We had probably four or five really good chances with counters in the final third, and maybe didn’t get our shots away cleanly. They got some excellent blocks in and around the box.

"We definitely felt we didn’t deserve to lose and I'm sure they’d say similar. For the first 15-20 minutes we controlled large parts of the game, in the second half it became more open. We showed great character and resilience to stay in the game after going 1-0 down and that’s one thing you’d give the lads credit for – in every game, if we’ve gone behind, we’ve found a way to get back into it. We had a good spell at the end where we maybe could have finished it.

"It's a great finish from Omari, outstanding actually, over the keeper, and the turn as well.

"It's pleasing to have got so many of the Under-18s on. John Dodds started, Malik and Jonathan Nsangou came on, Harry Brookes played – all-in-all it's a very good afternoon. A result we definitely warranted and plenty of positives to take. It was great to see Will Tamen step up his time again from Tuesday night as well, we're really pleased for him.

"We're pleased with how the group are going about their work. Performances have been consistent and I feel as though the lads are giving a good account of themselves. We’ve been difficult to play against at times, but of course we can be more so.

"Tom’s an unbelievable professional. All the staff and players have witnessed that he’s a model professional in the way that he goes about his work. He’s shown the players, if they needed it, what a top professional looks like. How he trains, how he conducts himself. He’s given guidance and advice to the younger players. He’s been a credit to himself and to the Academy."