Everton U21s run classy Italians close

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Ezra Carrington making his debut after his move from Manchester City

Well, for anyone that could do with a sprinkling of good news to lift spirits a little, I have some. There’s much talk given the transfer window debacle about whether the Toffees should have a look at free agents. They already have done at Everton zzUnder 21 level anyway. There’s the occasional golden nugget found hidden in the “Bosman” scrapheap. Might be a bit harsh that as Manchester City’s discards are rarely destined for the scrapheap. I’m talking about new signing Ezra Carrington.

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The England Under 19 player left City in June and although primarily a right back (whatever one of those is) he found himself on the left side of a Blues U21 defence last night against AC Milan’s Under 23 side and immediately caught the eye. He has some pace but his use of the ball was especially tidy. If that sounds a little underwhelming, I think I recall one slightly misplaced pass out of countless. He’s 21 in December so not “a kid” as David Moyes sometimes refers to players of that age. If he’s even better in his natural position of right back then new first team signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles actually has cover! Carrington actually reminded me of our new ex-Arsenal and Lyon guy, very efficient in everything he did. The competition for the game was the Premier League International Cup and the full line up at Goodison Park was as below:

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It was clearly going to be a challenging night against an Italian side that displayed a mix of fine technical skills with a dash of the “dark arts” and it was a struggle in the first 10 minutes especially to get and keep the ball.

That almost changed in the 11th minute as Finney’s terrific through ball found Ceiran Loney who carried it well but chose to pass when a shot was on. Braiden Graham also had a lively run but dragged his shot wide.

A warning of things to come in the 24th minute when Milan hit the post with a 25 yard shot although George Pickford got a touch to prevent a certain goal.

The first goal came just a minute later when Milan caught the Blues on the break and despite Pickford making a fine initial save the ball fell kindly to Colombo on the edge of the area. The Italian didn’t need his detective coat or trademark scratch of the head to figure out where to put the ball and it was 0-1, case solved.

The rest of the half saw Italian pressure and an outstanding performance from Pickford keeping the score down. The Blues almost equalised when Amari Moses who, for the most part struggled, spun beautifully in the area to set up Graham whose shot hit the post, half-time 0-1.

Melvin Matos who has started the season so well with his combative style and aggressive running came onto the right wing in the second half and the balance and threat was immediately better. Four minutes into the half Graham after intricate work from Foster, Brookes and Loney hit the woodwork again (see below) and the Blues looked marginally on top

The pressure finally told when a cycnical pull-back from one of the Milan defenders allowed a free kick opportunity to Braiden Graham and, see for yourself, he took it in style, 1-1.

It looked for all the world that it would be the Blues who would get the next goal and great play from Finney set Graham up for a shot in the 74th minute that was blocked by the spirited Milan defence.

It was very unfortunate then that a mix up just inside the Blues’ own half involving the otherwise immaculate Harvey Foster resulted in a breakaway goal by Ossola, 1-2.

Luis Gardner had to head off Everton’s line after that but the clearest chances were falling the Blues’ way until the end.

In summary, it was a good second half and the Blues didn’t give up against quality opposition. Best players on the night in my opinion were goalkeeper Pickford, George Finney at right back and, in flashes, Harry Brookes. The surprise package bn the night however was Carrington who did very well on his debut.

Next up is a trip to Hartlepool in the National League Cup next Tuesday.

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