Everton under-18s were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup last night at the hands of Watford at Vicarage Road. However, there were still several positive signs for Leighton Baines to take from the performance.
Baines became the manager of Everton’s under-18s side at the start of the season after spending last season as former boss Paul Tait’s assistant. However, with David Unsworth leaving his role as under-23s manager to take charge at Oldham Athletic in the National League, Tait was promoted to under-23s manager and Baines to under-18s manager.
Although the Englishman’s side hit a bad run of form at the start of the season, losing their first 3 u18s PL matches, his side have since seemed to finally have found their rhythm, winning 5 of their last 9 matches.
The toffees advanced to the next round of the FA Youth Cup after comfortably beating Reading at Goodison Park, with Okoronkwo, Djankpata and Barker all scoring in a 3-0 win.
A tie away at Vicarage Road to face Watford in the next round awaited the blues who would go into the fixture in good form, not being defeated in any competition since the end of October.
The hosts would take an early lead, however, with Jack Grieves meeting Aaron Benn’s cross with a sweet volley into the top corner.
Everton would respond well to the early setback, with Okoronkwo becoming somewhat of a livewire, causing the Watford defence all sorts of problems.
The blues were unable to find an equaliser despite having a few chances to score and would go into the interval 1-0 down.
Just after the hour mark, in-form striker Martin Sherif would hit a sweet strike on the turn into the top corner to bring his side level.
Despite Everton grabbing a deserved equaliser, Watford would retake the lead just minutes later. Again, Baines’ side would continue to create chances but the hosts would be the next to strike, adding a 3rd with 20 minutes to play, ending the toffee’s Youth Cup hopes.
FT. #EFCU18 exit the #FAYouthCup following defeat at Watford this evening. pic.twitter.com/wPPyR2dAEF
— Everton Academy (@EvertonAcademy) January 9, 2023