Kevin Sheedy’s youngsters won emphatically against a young Manchester United side.
All the goals came in the second 45 minutes after a goalless first half. Everton went in front on 46 minutes only for Barmby to equalise for the Red devils a minute later then Everton stepped up the tempo and took their chances to run out 4-1 winners.
Everton’s topsy turvy season took a knock last week losing to Blackburn Rovers by the odd goal in 9 and today Kevin Sheedy made changes from that defeat. In came Conor Roberts back from his loan deal with local side Burscough for James Fitzgibbon in goal and Tyias Browning came in at right back. Dier and Hammar replaced Heneghan and Pennington at the centre of defence. Ross Barkley started for the second week running and Anton Forrester the goal machine was starting up front as a lone striker with support coming from Long and Hope.
The conditions were very cold but sunny at Carrington this morning and after a pitch inspection due to a heavy rainfall yesterday and a very cold night the pitch was declared fit, interestingly the U16’s game on the next pitch was called off.
United started the game playing in their familiar red shirts and the first fifteen minutes was nothing much between them apart from a threatening run by Manchester born Hope who’s low attempt was punched away by keeper Coll in the United goal. Then United followed suit with a combination between Byrne and Barmby and it was Barmby who tried his luck from distance that went high over the bar.
United were putting their opposition under a lot of pressure but the Everton back line defended stoutly and could only catch United on the counter with Barkley the orchestrator setting up the moves without any end product.
Ten minutes from the break Byrne should have put United in front after a good run and assist from their full back Weir who beat Touray with a delightful cross but somehow Byrne failed to find the net from 6 yards out.
Lundstram and Barkley were both denied before the interval by fine goal keeping from Coll as United were the better of the two sides during the first half spell.
HALF TIME MANCHESTER UNITED U18’S 0 EVERTON U18’S 0
Everton got off the mark within 60 seconds of the restart with a goal assisted by Barkley and who else but that man again Forrester who slid the ball past Coll’s left and into the net.
The lead was short lived as United replied 60 seconds later after they were awarded a free kick that eluded Everton’s four man wall with a delivery from 25 yards by the son of ex Everton player Nick Barmby (Jack) that left Roberts helpless to level the game.
The goal from United livened up the pace of the contest as both teams threatened but it was Coll who seemed to be the more active of the keepers by pushing a Lundstram drive over the bar.
From a corner Touray volleyed the ball to put Everton back in the lead for the second time on 59 minutes as the pressure was paying off.
Substitute Thomas made Coll work hard to keep out a shot with Everton searching for another goal.
There was no lack of effort from Everton who stretched their lead further on 73 minutes with a good move and assist from goal scorer Forrester who set up substitute Johns who drilled his shot into the corner of the goal.
4 minutes later Barkley had a hand in another goal with a fine ball into Hope’s path with the advancing Coll given very little chance as Hope’s effort was precise to put the blues 4-1 up and more or less seal the points.
United were trying to reduce the deficit and make the score line look more respectable but another chance from Barmby that went close and a great stop by keeper Roberts kept out Wilson’s shot.
Full back Browning narrowly missed a chance to make it 5 after a great Everton move with Thomas the provider.
Everton were worthy of their win and Ross Barkley completed 90 minutes with an outstanding man of the match performance with Lundstram also excelling.
FULL TIME MANCHESTER UNITED U18’S 1 EVERTON U18’S 4
Team Manchester United: Coll, Weir, Rowley, Wilkinson, McGinty, Ekangemene, Gorre (Daehli, 72), Hendrie (Rudge, 59), Byrne (Januzaj, 72), Wilson, Barmby. Subs not used: Sutherland, van Velze
Coach Paul McGuinness
Everton: Roberts, Browning, Touray, Dier ( C), Hammar, Lundstram, Grant(Johns 44), Barkley, Hope, Forrester,(Waring 80) Long(Thomas 75) Unused Subs Fitzgibbon(GK), Higgins
Coach Kevin Sheedy
Match Officials Mr M Rawcliffe, Assist Refs Mr A Rowen & Mr M Hobin