Under-21s Fall To Narrow Arsenal Defeat Aled Thomas scored in the second half but Everton Under-21s suffered a first Premier League 2 defeat in four

#EFCU21 suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at The Big Help Stadium to Arsenal Under-21s this evening, Aled Thomas netting for the Blues. 🔽

Long Read: Academy Coach On His Journey & Training Young In South Africa Everton's Under-10s coach on recent trip and harsh conversation at just 17 years old which shaped his future.

Academy coach Lionel Djagba has recently returned from South Africa where he delivered an educational course for aspiring coaches through Premier Skills.

Lionel discusses the trip, what it taught him and his inspiring journey into coaching. 🔽

Well done, lads! 👏

Villa took the lead early in the second half but #EFCU21 hit back with two goals in 59 seconds through Omari Benjamin and Martin Sherif to take three #PL2 points back to Merseyside! 🔵

87' Another double change. Odin Samuels-Smith and Owen Barker replace Braiden Graham and Aled Thomas. 🔄🔄

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87' Timson hits the post for Villa.

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73' Another chance for Ebere from an even tighter angle this time. He gets into the box and tries to dink it past the onrushing Sam Lewis, but he can't quite pull it across far enough and it flicks wide.

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67' Great surging run from Roman Dixon and a neat pass into Coby Ebere, but Ebere can only pull his shot from a tight angle wide of the near post.

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62' Double change for the Blues. Martin Sherif and Jack Patterson replaced by Callum Bates and Owen Barker. 🔄🔄

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58' GOAL!!!!! We lead with two goals in 59 seconds!

Ebere wins possession high up soon after kick-off. Sherif takes the ball in his stride, gets into the box and places a pinpoint finish, in off the far post!

What a turnaround!

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57' GOAL!! Omari Benjamin once again on the scoresheet and we are back level!

Aled Thomas heads Isaac Heath's corner back across goal, and Benjamin dives in to turn it home from close range!

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53' Blues on the front foot immediately after conceding and Reece Welch forces a fine save from Lewis with a 25-yard rasping volley.

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47' Kyrie Pierre gives Villa the lead.

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46' Back under way here.

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A flurry of early chances but no goals at the break.

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24' Ebere shows neat feet to create space for himself in the box, but his shot deflects narrowly wide of the far post.

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19' Excellent save from Fraser Barnsley. Brad Burrows is in on goal but Fraser stays tall and makes a fine stop with his leg.

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8' Tamen and Sherif both get onto the end of the resulting corner at the back post but can't quite turn the ball in.

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7' Sherif again causes problems for the Villa defence, turns one defender and nicks the ball past another, races into the box but his shot is blocked by a last-ditch tackle from Ethan Amundsen-Day.

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4' Early chance for Martin Sherif as Braiden Graham slips him in with an excellent through ball, but Villa keeper Sam Lewis stands up well to deny the striker.

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We are under way at Bodymoor Heath! 🔵

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Today's #EFCU21 side to take on Aston Villa! 🔵

Season Ticket, Lounge and Official Members can stream today's game (now a 2.30pm kick-off) at evertonfc.com/live.

Tamen Looks To Kick On For Under-21s Ahead Of Villa Clash Defender sets target after injury-hit six months.

Having returned from a five-month injury lay-off, #EFCU21 centre-back William Tamen wants to kick on both in the short and long-term. 👊

Read our full interview with Tamen ahead of tomorrow's #PL2 game against Aston Villa (2pm kick-off). 🔽

Defeat at Finch Farm for #EFCU21.

#PL2

90+6' McNamara is alert to save a free kick from Bates.

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85' George Finney replaces Will Tamen. 🔄

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77' Barnsley with a good save to deny Robinson a second.

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72' Change for Everton as Justin Clarke replaces Graham. 🔄

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70' Goal. Jay Robinson gives Southampton the lead.

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72' Change for Everton as Justin Clarke replaces Graham. 🔄

[1-2] #EFCU21 #PL2

70' Goal. Jay Robinson gives Southampton the lead.

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