Premier League 2
Leeds United U21 1 (Allen 45’)
Everton U21 (Kouyate 13’)
Leeds United: Christy (GK), Sutcliffe (C), Moore (Ferguson 60’), Coleman, Cresswell, Debayo, Snowdon, Crew, Thomas, Chambers (Chadwick 46’), Allen. Subs not used: van den Heuvel (GK), Cline, Monteiro.
Everton: Pickford (GK), Dixon, Hunt, Welch, Onyango (C), Butterfield (Jones 76’), John (Boakye 76’), Armstrong, Whitaker, Metcalfe, Kouyate (Catsby 68’). Subs not used: Barnsley (GK), Tierney.
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Booked: Chambers, Allen, Sutcliffe (Leeds)
Venue: Thorp Arch Training Ground
Leeds United Under-21s extended their unbeaten run to three matches in the Premier League 2 as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton Under-21s at Thorp Arch.
Buoyed by a 2-0 victory away against Newcastle last time out, Scott Gardner’s side started on the front foot, with Luca Thomas’ in-swinging corner causing George Pickford problems in the Toffees goal.
The retreating Everton keeper did well to tip the cross over the bar, before Charlie Cresswell then glanced a header wide from the following set-piece.
A flowing attacking move then followed, with Sam Chambers finding Joe Snowdon on the flank, with the winger crossing for Charlie Allen at the back post.
The Northern Irish forward instinctively hooked an effort towards goal, with Pickford scampering across to make a good save down to his left.
Thomas, himself enjoying a fine run of form in front of goal, then almost latched onto a Kris Moore cross that had flicked off Toffees skipper Tyler Onyango, but the forward was unable to get any contact on his hopeful effort.
Despite all the Whites’ pressure, it would be the visitors that took the lead when Katia Kouyate drilled a low strike into the bottom corner beyond the dive of Harry Christy.
United responded well to that early set-back as Snowdon dragged an effort wide from the edge of the area, before Allen saw a strike charged down by Kyle John, with Pickford then producing another fine stop to deny Thomas on the follow up.
The pressure continued to mount as Allen then fizzed a superb pass across the face of goal which Cian Coleman looked destined to tap home, only for Everton’s Reece Welch to make an outstanding last-ditch tackle to clear.
The desperate defending continued by the visitors as McKenzie Hunt cleared Snowdon’s header off the line, before Allen eventually drew his side deservedly level on the stroke of half time.
The winger linked up superbly well with defender Moore, latching onto an incisive through ball and sweeping home past Pickford to restore parity.
HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 1-1 Everton U21
Thomas’ continued to threaten after the break, first dancing past Welch into the area before the retreating Luke Butterfield hacked clear.
The forward then combined well with Charlie Crew to race away down the left flank, darting to the edge of the area and striking well, only for the effort to deflect out of harm’s way after good defending from Onyango.
Just before the hour mark Snowdon again went close, lashing a low shot wide of the post after great build up play from Coleman and then Thomas found the winger in space.
More chances came and went for Gardner’s side, with Pickford producing a sublime fingertip save to parry Thomas’ acrobatic half-volley behind after a fantastic pass from Crew.
James Debayo powered a header on goal from the resulting corner which crashed against the woodwork, helped on its way thanks to another superb reaction stop from the Toffees keeper.
Despite the hosts dominating, Everton still caused problems of their own on the break and Leeds had captain Harvey Sutcliffe to thank, as the defender dived in front of substitute Joel Catsby’s strike to keep the scores level.
Pickford, who hadn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon, then presented the Whites with an opportunity as he spilled a high ball into the path of Debayo. The defender looked to roll it home, but Welch was well-placed to clear.
In the dying moments, Ed Jones then spurned a glorious chance to win it for Everton, heading wide from six yards out after Metcalfe had won his side a corner deep into added time.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 1-1 Everton U21
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
