Paul Tait’s young toffees registered a heroic victory last time out, beating PL2 Champions from last season, Manchester City 6-3 at Finch Farm, lifting them to 4th in the table after 10 games.
Opposition side, Arsenal were held to an underwhelming 1-1 draw with fellow Londoners, Crystal Palace. Despite this disappointing result, the Gunners have had a brilliant start to the new Premier League 2 season, being the only side in the division yet to be defeated, winning 5 and drawing 5 of their opening 10 fixtures.
With both sides in good form, this fixture was set up to be one of the most exciting thus far.
Francis Okoronkwo would earn his first PL2 start of the season after netting against Manchester City and Hertha BSC in his last two games and Ishe Samuels-Smith would start in the left-back position after playing in England U16’s recent fixtures.
The blues would start the game slowly, however, with Arsenal midfielder, Catalin Cirjan giving the Gunners the lead inside the first 10 minutes with a brilliant strike past Leban in the Everton goal.
Issac Price would square the game for the toffees on the 18-minute mark, but Arsenal would retake the lead shortly after through Mauro Bandeira.
Everton would start the second half well but would not reap the rewards for their efforts. Arsenal’s Brazilian summer signing, Marquinhos would double their lead early on in the second half.
Despite some late chances for the blues, the game would end 3-1 to the league leaders, handing Everton their 4th defeat of the season.
FT. It ends in defeat in London. #PL2 pic.twitter.com/rkJvDdYBSb
— Everton Academy (@EvertonAcademy) November 6, 2022
Whilst the result is disappointing, the blues form this season has been much stronger than last, hopefully a sign of things to come for Tait’s side.