U21 NEWS

Kouyate On Target As Under-21s Held By Leeds

Everton Under-21s earned a share of the spoils at the Leeds United Academy complex on Monday afternoon, drawing 1-1.

Katia Kouyate opened the scoring on 14 minutes before Leeds' Charlie Allen equalised for the hosts on the stroke of half-time.

Leeds started brightly and forced a succession of early corners, without really threatening George Pickford in the Everton goal.

Everton’s first chance fell to Kouyate who was played in by Charlie Whitaker but just ran out space on the left of the penalty area.

A poor back pass by Roman Dixon almost presented Leeds' Luca Thomas with a chance but Reece Welch did well to recover.

The Blues took the lead after a quarter of an hour. Whitaker again found Kouyate and he finished well from a tight angle.

The hosts responded well to falling behind. Joe Snowdon shot wide and Thomas fired straight at Pickford.

On 34 minutes, Welch made a brilliant block to deny Leeds a certain goal and at the other end, Kyle John was denied by the home keeper, Harry Christy, when he was through on goal.

The Leeds equaliser came in the last minute of the first-half. Allen broke clear on the left and curled a sweet finish past Pickford.

Both sides had chances in the second period.

On 53 minutes, Thomas nearly finished off a fine sweeping Leeds move and Snowdon drilled an effort narrowly wide.

Pickford had to be alert to keep out a clever hooked shot from Thomas and then the young Blues keeper made a terrific save from a James Debayo header.

Everton substitute Joel Catesby tested the home defence twice after coming off the bench. His first effort was saved and the second was deflected wide for a corner.

The visitors finished the game on the front foot. Tyler Onyango was just wide and Jenson Metcalfe’s well-struck attempt earned a corner from which Eddie Jones headed off target.

Everton were grateful for another terrific block from Welch late on that denied Leeds a winner.

Paul Tait's Under-21s conclude their season next Monday (7pm BST) when they travel to face Derby County Under-21s at the Pride Park Stadium.