MATCH CENTRE

REPLAY AND REACTION: Under-23s Defeat Derby

Everton Under-23s Assistant Manager John Ebbrell says the young Blues' 1-0 win over Derby County on Friday evening will give the squad an injection of belief.

Charlie Whitaker's fourth-minute strike was decisive as a relatively youthful Everton side battled to secure their first Premier League 2 victory of the season.

It was a performance that delighted Ebbrell, who believes the result can be "defining" for a group full of potential.

"It was a really tough game," he told evertonfc.com. "We dominated the first 35-40 minutes and pressed them well. We created good chances and the second goal would’ve made the game more comfortable.

"Credit to Derby, they came out in the second half and dominated possession. We had to defend for our lives at times.

"I am really pleased for the players because it’s our fourth game of the season now. We are a bit younger this season but we have real potential in the squad.

"I look at a game like today where we’ve had to dig in and these wins are defining the players so I really hope it gives the lads some confidence and belief moving forward.

"We started really well and created some good chances. It was a lovely goal, a great move and a nice finish from Charlie. We know he can do that, it’s just a shame there couldn’t have been more because on a different night he could’ve put two or three of them away."

The Under-23s' triumph over Derby County was streamed live on our Official YouTube channel - watch the video on demand below.


Everton Under-23s: Leban, Mills, Campbell, Astley, Welch, Anderson, Butterfield, Warrington (Hughes 64), Dobbin (Cannon 73), Price, Whitaker (McAllister 82).

Substitutes Not Used: Barrett, Hunt.

Derby County Under-23s: Foulkes, Bardell, Grewal-Pollard, L Thompson, Solomon, S Thompson (Plange 60), Dixon, Cybulski, Hutchinson, Aghatise (Richards 82).

Substitutes Not Used: Brailsford, Roberts, Clarke.