U21s Report: Everton 1-3 Leeds United | OneFootball

Premier League 2

Everton U21 1 (Mills 76’)

Leeds United U21 3 (Chadwick 1’, 57’, Coleman 8’)

Everton: Leban (GK), Dixon, Butler (Moonan 53’), Samuels-Smith, Thomas, Patterson, Mills, Bates (Beaumont-Clark 76’), Benjamin (Barker 46’), Heath, Ebere (Sherif 46’) Subs not used: Barnsley (GK).

Leeds: Mahady (GK), Richards, Ferguson, Monteiro, Lopata-White, Mullen (Moore 61’), Chadwick, Cresswell (C), Douglas (Gray 61’), Snowdon (Mcdonald 38’), Coleman Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Firth.

Venue: The Big Help Stadium

Referee: Garreth Rhodes

Booked: Samuels-Smith, Benjamin, Patterson (Everton) Ferguson (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-21s put in a strong showing away from home, to claim a big three points away at Everton Under-21s in this Premier League 2 encounter.

The Whites got the action underway beneath the Southport spotlights in quick fashion, after netting the first goal of the night through Rhys Chadwick within just 30 seconds of the tie.

An inwards direct drive from Chadwick created space in the final third for himself prior to a slick passage of play between Joe Snowden and Cian Coleman, which left Chadwick with the ball at his feet, before unleashing a lethal strike into the bottom left-hand corner putting the away side ahead.

Gardner’s side came close to a second just before the five-minute mark after midfielder Jeremiah Mullen played a pinpoint through-ball for Coleman to latch onto the end of, firing a shot which sailed over the Toffees number 1 Zan Luk Leban, then narrowly going over the bar.

The opening 10 minutes belonged to Leeds. Coleman rectified his wayward shot in the prior passage and slotted home on the end of a Chadwick cross to double the advantage, after a smashed in strike from point blank range put the travelling side in the drivers seat.

With no shift in momentum, the Whites looked to capitalise on an unstoppable start, opportunities falling to Connor Douglas and Connor Ferguson with their respective shots being blocked by Leban between the sticks.

Left wing back Ferguson was thriving down the flank, teaming up well with Coleman to stretch the home back line and did so successfully, with the shot firing narrowly wide of the far right post.

The hosts saw their first sight of goal, which came at the 16-minute mark. A Stanley Mills shot from distance caught a Leeds leg on the way making it an easy pick up for Rory Mahady who was yet to be challenged.

Gardner’s side set a fierce press on the home defence by forcing frequent mistakes. Alfie Cresswell was the next to try his luck for goal, lacing a strike just outside the box which soared over the Blues’ bar.

In a final flourish of opportunities before the break, the ball fell to Mullen and Coleman who were unable to extend the lead further due to some fine stops from Lenan in goal, who had endured a busy evening so far.

A final chance of the half fell to the feet of Mills for the home side, just before the interval, who looking to half the deficit from a free kick on the edge of the Leeds box. The shot was matched by the a resolute wall, rounding off a perfect first half performance as Leeds went in two ahead at the half.

HALF TIME: Everton U21 0-2 Leeds United U21

Leeds emerged for the second 45 looking to replicate the high-quality performance displayed so in the first half.

Just over 15 minutes into the second half and Leeds cemented their lead as Chadwick netted for the second time of the evening, following a terrific team involvement for the goal.

Centre back Diogo Monteiro saw himself in unfamiliar territory after a marauding run through the middle, setting off Ferguson down the wing, then providing a teasing curled cross for Chadwick to slot home into the back of the net!

Allowing the away side no time to settle and create momentum, the Leeds back line had every answer to the chance creation from the Toffees. It was Mills once again who popped up for the hosts to come close at the 70 minute mark, although nothing to alarm Mahady, who had a quiet nights work up to this point.

It wasn’t until five minutes later that Mahady faced his first shot on target. The busy and lively Mills scored from the spot to reduce the deficit, after a penalty had been awarded to his side.

With a glimmer of hope, the hosts applied some pressure in the closing stages of the game. Successive corners saw them come close to making it a nervy final 10 minutes but Leeds stood firm.

Mahady ensured he remained in control as he denied the opposition number 9 Benjamin with five minutes to go, by rushing out to close the angle producing a tidy save securing maximum points for the travelling Whites.

Referee Garreth Rhodes concluded the action on the evening and confirmed the three points. Leeds come back to West Yorkshire with confidence looking forward to their campaign in the English National League Cup where they take on Tamworth.

FULL TIME: Everton U21 1-3 Leeds United U21