Andros Townsend made a welcome comeback as Everton Under-21s completed their Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Leicester City at Finch Farm on Monday afternoon.

Winger Townsend, who had been out with an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury sustained in action for the Blues at former club Crystal Palace in March 2022, tasted his first competitive action for more than 13 months.

Watched on by Everton captain and friend Seamus Coleman, Townsend played the first half for Paul Tait's Under-21s who put in a dominant, fast-paced display.

The hosts were unfortunate to find themselves behind in the 34th minute when Leicester's Tawanda Maswanhise created and scored a penalty.

The opening half was full of chances for the young Blues, their biggest coming in the 38th minute when Jenson Metcalfe's shot from the edge of the box needed a fingertip save from Leicester keeper Chituru Odunze to push the left-footed effort over the bar.

Having gone close to finding the back of the net, Everton were grateful to Eli Campbell for preventing the visitors from doubling their advantage as he made a great tackle to deny Kian Pennant, much to the appreciation of the home supporters.

As the rain poured down after the break, there was no denying Leicester on 50 minutes, however, as Wanya Marcal-Madivadua's corner did not need a touch from onrushing captain Lewis Brunt and squeezed past keeper Zan-Luk Leban.

Everton kept plugging away in search of a route back into the contest, with Liam Higgins coming off the bench and whipping a series of testing crosses into the area that no one was able to make count, striker Francis Okoronkwo heading one of the centres just wide.

On the volley, Sean McAllister then hit a looping effort towards Leicester's net, but after a smart save from long range in the first half, Odunze was there again to make the stop, before his defenders managed to clear any further danger from the follow-up. 

It summed up a frustrating afternoon for Everton as they could not grab a goal to set up a frantic finish. But despite the defeat, it has been a season with plenty of positives for Tait's youngsters who finished eighth in the Premier League 2 table.