An Everton Under-21 team bolstered by the inclusion of first-teamers Dwight McNeil, Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou took on a Bradford City team riding high in League One on Tuesday evening in the Vertu
Football League Trophy. It was against a Bantams’ side that actually made 10 changes from their last game so it was a little more of a level playing field but that’s not the way it actually turned out.
The Blues lined up as below with Dwight McNeil his favoured #10 role. Fullback Patterson was in his usual right back berth with young Moroccan international Aznou was in a conventional left back berth in a flat back four for maybe the first time in a competitive Blues’ match.
As early as the 5th minute George Pickford in the Blues’ goal had to make a fine save to prevent an early lead. However the young ‘keeper, just a minute later, played a risky ball to midfielder Francis Gomez and the high press seized possession and countered quickly to score an easy goal. It was very preventable, but 0-1 was the score.
Dwight McNeil, who looked really fit and sharp, created the first real chance in the 13th minute, although his left footed shot to the near post was a comfortable save for ex Blues’ Youth goalkeeper Joe Hilton in the Bradford goal.
A minute later and loose play between Aznou and Callum Bates gifted possession for a quickly worked move which resulted in the second goal, again very avoidable, 0-2.
After Patterson had made a goal-line clearance it was only a further minute before the Bantams made it 3-0 as a simple long throw was not dealt with.
After former Blue Jenson Metcalfe went very close in the 31st minute, the Yorkshire team scored their best goal when, after a flowing right wing move, a clever dummy in the penalty area allowed a simple tap home, 0-4.
Everton did not make any changes at half- time and started the second half with renewed effort. The first action of note however, was the seemingly awful injury to young Joel Catesby. After some good interplay between Aled Thomas and Adam Aznou, Catesby managed to free himself of the attentions of a Bradford player and began a trademark run. Unfortunately he was caught by a strong challenge from just behind him and his foot appeared to be trapped as he fell and it looked serious, a dislocation or clean break. The sight certainly prompted feverish activity from the bench to attend the stricken winger and the concern on the face of Aznou, the nearest Toffees player, told the story. McNeil was quick across to try to comfort the youngster but it was a full 12 minutes before he was able to be stretchered off.
Within two minutes of the restart Catesby’s replacement, Justin Clarke, was freed on the left by Aznou and the youngster’s cross was deflected home by a Bradford defender to reduce the scoreline, 1-4.
The four-goal margin was restored with five minutes of normal time remaining as a neat flick wrong-footed Blues’ skipper Will Tamen and despite Pickford’s best efforts, the ball was forced home for a 1-5 scoreline.
It might seem that it appeared to be one-way traffic yet it was far from the case. The truth is the Blues had 54% possession without ever posing much of a goal threat and meanwhile, Bradford were ruthless in punishing mistakes.
How did the first teamers do?
All three players managed at least 90 minutes and all looked quite sharp and definitely match-fit.
Dwight McNeil, a regular first-team starter until this season, was, for me, the standout Blues’ player. He set an example with his work-rate, I recall seeing him pressing hard as late as 90+12 minutes. His know-how and ball-retention was evident throughout and whilst he didn’t personally look too much like scoring, he was a driving force, always trying to play team-mates in and appeared to have half-a-yard extra about him. On that form he would not look out of place back in the first eleven.
Nathan Patterson also gave a reminder that he is a natural right back and his reading of the game was good throughout and he often got himself out of tight situations with skill rather than the negative backwards passing we have seen of late. His performance wasn’t perfect, there were some signs of rust, but he certainly didn’t let himself down.
Adam Aznou also played every minute of the contest and looked match-fit. He has quick feet and an abundance of skill in tight situations, he doesn’t hog the touchline at all. For a predominantly left-footed player, he is very comfortable driving inside. He probably still has a bit to learn about positioning and developing his judgement but I think if he’s patient and playing with better players he could turn out to be an exciting watch.
The highlights of the game are below but don’t do the Blues efforts justice really:
Next up for the U21s is the local derby against Liverpool on Sunday October 26th. That game will see the return of the suspended Jack Patterson but there’s a fear that the unlucky but very talented Joel Catesby will be out for a long while, best wishes to him.
